How to Start Homeschooling in Ohio

Yes. Homeschooling is fully legal in Ohio. The key statutes are ORC 3321.04 and ORC 3321.042.

Ohio's law is clear about the superintendent's role. Your child's exemption from compulsory attendance takes effect as soon as the superintendent receives your notice, and the superintendent sends you a written acknowledgment no later than fourteen calendar days after receiving your notice. There is no curriculum review and no approval process. The law does say that if there is evidence a child is not receiving an education in the required subject areas, that child may be subject to ORC 3321.19.

Ohio's compulsory school age is between six and eighteen (ORC 3321.01). Compulsory school age begins at the start of the school term, or another time in the school year set by your district's board.

Kindergarten is not required. One exception: a child under six who is enrolled in kindergarten is also of compulsory school age unless the parent formally withdraws the child from kindergarten.

Starting your Ohio homeschool takes four steps.

Step 1: Write your notice. Under ORC 3321.042, your notice needs three things:

• Your name and address
• Your child's name
• An assurance that your child will receive education in the required subject areas: English language arts, mathematics, science, history, government, and social studies

That is the whole notice. No curriculum outline. No textbook list. No credentials. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce offers a recommended notification form, but a plain letter with the same information works.

Step 2: Send it to your local superintendent. Send your notice to the superintendent of your child's school district of residence. For first-time homeschoolers, send it within 5 calendar days after you start home education, move into a new district, or withdraw your child from school. After that, the deadline is August 30 each year. Use certified mail or get a date-stamped copy so you have proof.

Step 3: Withdraw your child (if currently enrolled). Ohio does not require a withdrawal letter. Your notice to the superintendent is due within 5 calendar days after withdrawing. If you want the school to know your plans, you can let it know at the same time.

Step 4: Start teaching. You are ready. Your child's exemption takes effect as soon as the superintendent receives your notice. The superintendent will send a written acknowledgment no later than fourteen calendar days after receiving your notice.

Under ORC 3321.042, one document: a notice to the superintendent of your child's school district of residence. The state offers a recommended form, and a plain letter also works.

Include your name and address, your child's name, and an assurance that your child will receive education in the six required subject areas. Nothing else is listed in the statute.

Send it within 5 calendar days after starting home education, moving into a new district, or withdrawing from school. You can begin mid-year at any time. After that, send a new notice by August 30 each year. Keep a copy of everything you send.

Six subject areas: English language arts, mathematics, science, history, government, and social studies. That is the full list under ORC 3321.042. You may teach more subjects if you like.

You choose everything. Curriculum, textbooks, methods, sequence. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce says parents who home educate are completely responsible for choosing the curriculum and course of study. Commercial, religious, secular, eclectic, or self-designed programs all work.

Ohio has three legal pathways for home-based education.

Home Education Notification (ORC 3321.042) is the pathway this guide covers. Simple notice. Six subject areas. No testing. No credentials.

Chartered Nonpublic School (ORC 3301.16) means enrolling your child full time in a private school that holds a charter from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. The school carries the duties: it employs state-certified teachers, sets the curriculum, and reports enrollment to the district treasurer. Schools where at least 65 percent of students use state scholarships give the state tests; other chartered schools may choose to. You file no home education notice, because full-time enrollment in a chartered school is not home education (ORC 3321.042(A)).

Non-Chartered Non-Tax-Supported School ("08 School") (ORC 3301.0732 and OAC 3301-35-08) is for schools that do not seek a charter because of truly held religious beliefs. It has different requirements: a broader subject list (language arts; geography, U.S. and Ohio history, and government; mathematics; science; health; physical education; fine arts including music; and first aid, safety, and fire prevention). At least 910 hours per year for grades 1 through 6 and 1,001 hours for grades 7 through 12. Teachers must hold a bachelor's degree or the equivalent. The school certifies each year in a report to parents that it meets the minimum standards, with the report due by September 30, and parents report enrollment to the district treasurer within the first two weeks of each school year. State testing is not required.

Online public schools (e-schools) exist in Ohio. The Department notes that students enrolled in them are not home educated.

Keep your own records. Ohio's home education law requires no records. Still, a simple attendance log, a list of curriculum and materials, samples of your child's work, and a running transcript of courses and grades can help later for college, scholarships, or re-enrollment.

College Credit Plus. Ohio's CCP program lets students in grades 7 through 12 take college courses for high school and college credit. Tuition is free for home-educated students at public colleges; private colleges may charge modest fees. Home-educated students notify the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce if they want to participate.

Your child can join school activities. ORC 3313.5312 gives home-educated students the opportunity to participate in any extracurricular activity offered at the district school they would otherwise attend. Your child must meet the same age, grade level, nonacademic, and financial requirements as other participants. Contact the school to sign up.

You create the transcript. There is no state transcript template. Keep course descriptions and grades as you go.

No state funding for general homeschooling. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce says there is no state financial assistance for families who choose home education. The Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship is a separate program for children with a disability and an IEP; check eligibility with the Department.

Connect with Ohio homeschoolers. Christian Home Educators of Ohio (CHEO) at cheohome.org is a statewide organization, and local co-ops can help you build community.