How to Start Homeschooling in Indiana

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Indiana.

Indiana law calls homeschools non-public, non-accredited schools (IC 20-33-2-12). Under IC 20-33-2-27 and IC 20-33-2-28, a parent must send a child to public school for a full term unless the child is being provided with instruction equivalent to that given in public schools. State law does not define "equivalent instruction," and IC 20-33-2-12 says a homeschool is not bound by Indiana's curriculum or content requirements.

IDOE's FAQ is clear that the decision to homeschool belongs to the parent or guardian. A school may not require you to register, provide proof of curriculum, or otherwise impede your decision to withdraw to homeschool.

Indiana's compulsory attendance starts at age 7 for children attending a nonaccredited, nonpublic school such as a homeschool (IC 20-33-2-8). You may start homeschooling earlier if you wish.

IDOE's FAQ says homeschooled students complete schooling at age 18.

Here is how to start homeschooling in Indiana:

Step 1: Tell the school (if your child is enrolled). IDOE says you must inform the school of your decision to withdraw your child to homeschool. There is no specific method required by state law. A phone call may suffice, but IDOE recommends putting it in writing. Keep a copy.

• Elementary or middle school: State law does not require you to sign a specific form, and the school cannot require you to register or show proof of a homeschool program before withdrawing.
• High school: The school will ask you to sign the Withdrawal to Non-Accredited Non-public School Located in Indiana form, required by IC 20-33-2-28.6. It is not a registration form. If it is not signed, the student is treated as a high school dropout, and the principal may report the student to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

If your child has never been enrolled in school, skip this step.

Step 2: Decide whether to register (optional). IDOE's homeschool page has a "Register your Homeschool" form at in.gov/doe/students/homeschool-information/. Submitting it is not required. If you register, you receive a verification email, you register only once, and the registration stays active year after year.

Step 3: Choose your curriculum. IDOE does not review or endorse homeschool programs. You do not have to use the Indiana Academic Standards. Choose the program and materials that fit your child.

Step 4: Set up your attendance record. IC 20-33-2-20 requires an accurate daily record of attendance. No specific form is required.

Step 5: Start teaching. Plan for 180 days of instruction over the academic year.

IDOE's FAQ says parents should provide 180 days of instruction in an academic year, which runs from July 1 through June 30. Days your child was enrolled in a public or other accredited school that year count toward the 180.

There is no hours-per-day requirement. IDOE says instructional time requirements do not apply to homeschools.

Keep an accurate daily attendance record, as IC 20-33-2-20 requires. It is how you show your 180 days if anyone asks.

Most Indiana homeschool families use one pathway.

Non-Accredited Non-Public School (homeschool). This is what this guide covers: equivalent instruction, 180 days, a daily attendance record, and optional IDOE registration.

Accredited Non-Public School. If you enroll your child in an accredited non-public school, the school is responsible for meeting the legal standards for accreditation set by the Indiana State Board of Education. Your family's duty is to have your child attend, and you file nothing with the state.

IDOE also notes that homebound instruction and Indiana-accredited virtual schools, including virtual charter schools, are home-based options that are not homeschools.

Keep records from day one. Your daily attendance record is required. IDOE also says that if a question of educational neglect ever comes up, good attendance records and documentation of ongoing educational activity are highly instrumental. A list of curriculum used and samples of work round this out.

Diplomas and transcripts. Homeschool students do not receive a diploma accredited by the State Board of Education. As IDOE describes House Enrolled Act 1348, a diploma or credential issued by a nonaccredited non-public school is legally sufficient to show the student completed high school, and Indiana state agencies, local agencies, and colleges may not reject it based solely on its source. As the administrator of your homeschool, you can sign documents showing enrollment, full-time or part-time status, grades, and transcripts. Students who want a state-accredited credential can take the High School Equivalency exam.

Classes and activities at your local school. IDOE says whether a homeschooled student can take classes or join extracurricular activities at the local public school is a local decision. Contact your school corporation to ask about its policies.

Returning to school. The public school corporation where you live must enroll your child if you return to public school. The school decides placement and is not required to accept homeschool work for credit.

Students with IEPs. You may homeschool a child with an IEP. IDOE says some services may still be available through the previous school, and recommends talking with the school's special education director about how they might be provided.

21st Century Scholars. IDOE's FAQ notes that homeschooled students are not eligible for the 21st Century Scholars Program.

Connect with other Indiana homeschoolers. The Indiana Association of Home Educators (IAHE) at iahe.net is one statewide homeschool organization, and local co-ops and support groups can help you find community.