Homeschool Legal Advantage (HLA) is a legal resource for homeschoolers. It helps families facing legal challenges related to homeschooling and religious liberty. Operated by the Christian Law Association, HLA defends families and offers various legal services.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 3.3 million students were homeschooled in the United States as of 2023, representing roughly 6% of the school-age population. Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests.
What is homeschool legal advantage?
Homeschool Legal Advantage (HLA) is a legal support service for homeschool families. It operates through the Christian Law Association, which has helped churches and families since 1969. HLA offers legal defense for families dealing with issues from school districts or government agencies about homeschooling. It also covers broader religious liberty cases, making it a good fit for families whose faith influences their education. Since starting, HLA has managed over 8,000 cases related to educational freedom.
Services provided
When you join HLA, you get full legal protection. They offer free legal representation, covering attorney fees, expert witness costs, travel, and court expenses for homeschooling cases. Families won’t pay anything out of pocket. HLA also provides free help with religious liberty issues through the Christian Law Association, even if they aren't education-related. This sets HLA apart from others that focus just on homeschool law. Other benefits include:
- A last will and testament drafted by an attorney.
- Access to state-specific homeschool laws on their website.
- Legal alerts and a monthly newsletter.
- 20% discounts on legal and educational resources from the Christian Law Association.
Hla vs. HSLDA
Families often compare HLA and HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association). HSLDA has been around since 1983 and has over 90,000 member families focused only on homeschool law. HLA, through the Christian Law Association, costs less—your first year is free, while HSLDA charges $120-135 annually. HLA also covers more religious liberty issues beyond homeschooling. HSLDA has 24/7 attorney access and specialized homeschool law expertise. HLA has a network of full-time and over 200 affiliated attorneys across the country. Both are respected, but HLA offers a cost-effective option with broader coverage for families that value religious liberty.
Is legal defense necessary?
Most homeschooling families won't face legal challenges. So, why sign up for coverage? Think of it like car insurance—you pay for it even if you hope you won’t need it. If issues come up, like a questioning school district or a neighbor calling child services, having legal support can ease your worries. HLA and HSLDA have years of experience handling these situations. HLA’s first year is free, making it a low-risk choice for protection. No matter which option you choose, having legal backup gives you peace of mind.
The bottom line
Homeschool Legal Advantage offers solid legal protection for homeschooling families at a lower cost than the well-known HSLDA. Plus, it has broader religious liberty coverage. If your faith plays a role in your education, HLA can be a great fit. With the first year free, trying it out is easy. Backed by over 50 years of experience from the Christian Law Association, HLA is credible. Your choice between HLA and another provider will depend on your family's needs and values.
