Best States for Homeschooling

August 8, 2023
Written by:
Guest Author
Featured, Homeschool Planning, Homeschooling - Getting Started

At some point in your homeschooling journey–whether you’re just starting or are 10 years in–you may find yourself making an out-of-state move. While homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, the legal requirements for homeschooling vary greatly from state to state. 

easiest states to homeschool

In some states, you need to file paperwork, teach for a prescribed number of hours each day, teach specific subjects, and possibly even do mandatory state testing each year. At the other end of the spectrum, you have states that only require filing the initial paperwork and then you’re good until graduation! Visit our state homeschooling laws page to find out more about the requirements for homeschooling in all U.S. states.

States with the Least Restrictive Homeschool Requirements

Many homeschoolers prefer a more relaxed atmosphere not so tightly monitored by the state. So which states are the easiest to homeschool without much state interference?

AlaskaAlaska Homeschooling Requirements

In Alaska, children “between 7 and 16” must attend a school or comply with the homeschool law. Compliance options include homeschooling:

  • Under the homeschool statute – no requirements to notify the state, get approval, take tests, or be a certified teacher.
  • With a private tutor – the tutor must be an Alaska-certified teacher.
  • Under school board approval – a student of compulsory school age is not required to attend school if he “is equally well-served by an educational experience approved by the school board.” A written request must be sent to the principal or school administrator asking to be excused from mandatory attendance.
  • As a religious private school – probably the most restrictive, this method requires filing several forms upfront, keeping monthly attendance records, maintaining a permanent record, filing a corporal punishment form, and adhering to testing requirements. In addition, you may not accept state or federal funding.

IdahoIdaho Homeschooling Requirements

For Idaho, children who are at least 7 at the beginning of the school year must attend school until their 16th birthday. Compliance for homeschooling:

  • Select an instructor – this can either be you or it can be a family member, friend, or relative.
  • Teach the required subjects – you need to teach subjects similar to those in public school.

IllinoisIllinois Homeschooling Requirements

In Illinois, children who have had their 6th birthday must enroll and stay in school until age 17 or high school graduation, whichever comes first. Compliance for homeschooling:

  • Teach the required subjects – the state requires teaching an “adequate course of instruction,” which they define as one that includes language arts, math, biological and physical sciences, social sciences, fine arts, physical development, and health.
  • Instruction must be in English.
  • You need to choose a name for your homeschool.

IndianaIndiana Homeschooling Requirements

Children in Indiana must attend school the year they are 7 at the start of the public school year and must attend until they turn 18 or graduate high school. Compliance for homeschooling:

  • Provide “equivalent instruction” in English – presumably, this means “equivalent” to public schools. However, the State Board of Education does not define the term nor does it list required subjects.
  • Teach the required number of days (180).
  • Keep attendance records.
  • Provide information to the state if required – sometimes, the state of Indiana will require online enrollment for your homeschool.

MichiganMichigan Homeschooling Requirements

Any child who will be 6 before December 1st must be enrolled in school until age 18. Compliance for homeschooling:

  • Instructors must have the required qualifications – the instructor can be the parent or another person the parent chooses. That person must either be a certified teacher, have a teaching permit, or hold a Bachelor’s degree. However, this may not be upheld in some counties and districts. See this Michigan Guidelines for Homeschooling.
  • Teach the required subjects – these include math, reading, English, science, social studies, physical education, and health. High school students must also be taught the U.S. Constitution, the Michigan Constitution, and the history and current form of civil government for the state of Michigan.

MissouriMissouri Homeschooling Requirements

In Missouri, you must enroll the year your child turns 7 by the beginning of the school year. If you choose to enroll your child at age 5 or 6, though, then you’re immediately subject to compulsory attendance. Students must remain enrolled until their 17th birthday. Compliance for homeschooling:

  • You need to teach the required subjects for the required number of hours – this means you must provide your child with 1,000 hours of learning each school year. Of those, 600 hours must cover reading, math, social studies, language arts, and science. Furthermore, of those 600 hours, 400 hours must occur at the “regular” homeschooling site, though the law does not define “regular.”
  • Keep records for all students under age 16 – you don’t have to actually submit these records to anyone, but you must keep records that show the subjects taught, samples of your student’s work, and evaluations (annual test results, regular tests, etc.).

New JerseyNew Jersey Homeschooling Requirements

In New Jersey, students must enroll in school when they reach their 6th birthday until they reach their 16th birthday. Compliance for homeschooling:

  • You must provide your child with an education that is “equivalent” (not to be confused with “identical”) to what he or she would receive in public school. The law does not define “equivalent,” however.

OklahomaOklahoma Homeschooling Requirements

Any child between 5 and 18 years of age must enroll in school. Compliance for homeschooling:

  • There are no reporting or testing requirements in Oklahoma. The only requirement is that you operate your homeschool for 180 days.

TexasTexas Homeschooling Requirements

In Texas, children between the ages of 6 and 19 must enroll in some sort of school (public, private, or homeschool), until graduation or obtaining a GED. Compliance for homeschooling:

  • You must teach the required subjects – those required subjects are math, reading, spelling and grammar, and good citizenship. As you can see, science and social studies/history aren’t required by the state, but most colleges will expect your students to have been taught those subjects. Therefore, it’s best to include them even though the state doesn’t require them.
  • You must use a written curriculum (online schooling meets this requirement, too).

If you’re planning an out-of-state move, one of the first things on your mind might be “What’s homeschooling like?” It’s good to look into this before making a move so you don’t end up in a very restrictive state. Thankfully, several options are very lenient.

 

Additional Homeschool Resources

Ready to get started homeschooling. We have a  Getting Started Homeschool Guide to help you from the very beginning even in the not so homeschool friendly states. We also have a complete listing of Homeschooling State Regulations and Laws plus New Tips on How to Homeschool.

#HOMESCHOOL HELP, #HOMESCHOOL LAWS, #HOMESCHOOL RESOURCES