How to Start Homeschooling in Kansas

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Kansas.

Kansas does not have a standalone homeschool statute. Under K.S.A. 72-3120(a)(2), a parent may meet the attendance law by having the child regularly enrolled in and attending a private school "taught by a competent instructor for a period of time which is substantially equivalent to the period of time public school is maintained" in your school district. Homeschools operate as nonaccredited private schools under that provision and register under K.S.A. 72-4345 through 72-4347. Older materials may cite K.S.A. 72-53,101 et seq., the prior numbering of the registration law.

Registration is a notice, not a request for permission. The statute directs the official custodian of every private school to register its name and address with the Kansas State Board of Education.

Under K.S.A. 72-3120(a), Kansas compulsory attendance covers children who have reached age 7 and are under 18, unless they have earned a high school diploma, a GED, or a high school equivalency credential.

A child under 7 who is enrolled in school is subject to the attendance law, but a parent may withdraw that child at any time, and the child is then exempt until age 7 or re-enrollment (K.S.A. 72-3120(c)).

K.S.A. 72-3120(b) lists limited exemptions for 16- and 17-year-olds, such as an approved alternative program or written parental consent with a final counseling session. If one of these may apply to your family, confirm the details with your school district.

Here is how to start homeschooling in Kansas.

Step 1: Choose a name for your school. Every nonaccredited private school registers a name and address.

Step 2: Register with the state. Use KSDE's Nonaccredited Private Schools Online Registration form (apps.ksde.gov/naps_form). Read the information on that page first. The statute requires your school's name and address. KSDE says you will not receive any follow-up communication after submitting, so print or save your registration confirmation letter. You do not need to register every year.

Step 3: If your child is enrolled in a school, notify that school. KSDE says that when your child transfers to a nonaccredited private school, the parent must notify the school your child previously attended; if that step is skipped, the school must report your child as truant. No particular letter or form is required. KSDE suggests keeping a copy of your registration for the school your child is leaving.

Step 4: Pick your curriculum. Kansas law does not list required subjects for nonaccredited private schools. You choose what to teach and what materials to use.

Step 5: Plan your school year. Provide instruction for a period substantially equivalent to the public school term in your district. More on that below.

Kansas has one filing: register your nonaccredited private school under K.S.A. 72-4346. The statute requires your school's name and address, registered with the Kansas State Board of Education. KSDE's online registration form is at apps.ksde.gov/naps_form.

This is a one-time registration. KSDE's form says you do not need to register every year. If your school's name or address changes, use the form's "Update" option.

When a student transfers from your school to a public or other school, the State Board makes your school's registration available to the receiving school on request (K.S.A. 72-4346(c)).

You are the instructor. K.S.A. 72-3120(a) requires a "competent instructor" and does not define competence or require teacher certification.

Keep records. Kansas's registration law refers to "pupil records" kept by your school's official custodian and to sharing your registration when a student transfers (K.S.A. 72-4345 through 72-4347). State law does not require you to keep attendance or grade records. KSDE recommends keeping accurate and complete records of your child's progress, because they will be needed if your child transfers to a public or accredited school or applies to college.

Your child can take public school classes part-time. Under K.S.A. 72-3120(h), each school district must allow a child enrolled in a nonaccredited private school to enroll part-time for any courses, programs, or services the district offers, if the child requests it and meets age eligibility. Districts must adopt a policy, publish it on their website, and make a good faith attempt to accommodate scheduling requests, though they need not accommodate every request.

Your child can join public school activities. Under K.S.A. 72-7121, a student who lives in the district, is enrolled in a nonpublic school, has met health and physical exam requirements, meets age and eligibility standards, and pays required fees may take part in activities regulated by the state activities association. Districts and the association may not discriminate against an eligible student based on enrollment status. Contact your school's activities director to get started.

Special education. K.S.A. 72-3462 requires each school district, on a parent's request, to provide special education services for exceptional children who live in the district and attend a private, nonprofit school. Part-time enrollment under K.S.A. 72-3120(h) also covers district services. Talk with your district's special education department before you withdraw so you can plan.

Build a transcript in high school. As your school's administrator, you create the transcript and issue the diploma. List courses, grades, and credits as you go.

Connect with Kansas homeschoolers. Kansas Home Educators at kshomeeducators.com is one statewide homeschool organization, and local co-ops can help with group classes and community.