How to start homeschooling in Illinois
The legal steps, in order, checked against Illinois law.
Short answer: Illinois treats homeschooling as a form of private school. A parent must teach, in English, the branches of education taught in public schools at the same age and grade. There is no state registration, testing, or reporting requirement.
Checked against 105 ILCS 5/26-1 (as amended by Public Act 98-0544) on Nov 8, 2026. Compulsory school ages: 6 to 17. This is what the law says, not legal advice.
Home school as a private school
Families who want to teach their children at home and meet the private school standard of the compulsory attendance law.
Steps
- If your child is enrolled in a school, notify the school, preferably in writing, that you are withdrawing your child to homeschool so the child is not marked truant. Keep a copy.
- Plan instruction in English covering language arts, mathematics, biological and physical science, social science, fine arts, and physical development and health.
- Choose your own materials, schedule, and methods. The state sets no number of days or hours.
- Keep your own records, such as report cards, syllabi, attendance logs, or test results, in case you are asked for proof of your child's education.
| Notice to the state | No notice required |
|---|---|
| Subjects | The branches of education taught to children of corresponding age and grade in public schools, taught in English. ISBE lists these as language arts, mathematics, biological and physical science, social science, fine arts, and physical development and health. |
| Time | None required by law |
| Parent qualifications | Not confirmed in our check. Ask the state education department. |
| Testing or evaluation | None required by law |
| Records to keep | None required by law |
The law: 105 ILCS 5/26-1 (as amended by Public Act 98-0544) Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Homeschooling
Leaving public school mid-year
ISBE says there is no formal withdrawal procedure in state law, but recommends notifying the child's current school, preferably in writing, so the child is not reported missing or truant. The school may have its own withdrawal form. ISBE no longer collects homeschool forms, and some Regional Offices of Education and Chicago Public Schools offer voluntary notification forms.
High school, transcripts and diplomas
ISBE says the parent sets graduation requirements and that homeschooled students have no legal right to a public school diploma or graduation ceremony unless enrolled full time and meeting all state graduation requirements. A public high school may not grant credit for classes that did not come from an accredited program, and districts decide grade placement for students who re-enroll.
Public school sports and activities
ISBE says public schools have no obligation to open extracurricular activities to homeschooled students, except for a required extracurricular part of a course the student takes part time. ISBE says interscholastic sports are governed by Illinois High School Association and Illinois Elementary School Association bylaws, which limit homeschool participation. ISBE also cites 105 ILCS 5/10-20.24 for part-time attendance at the local public school if requested by May 1 of the prior school year, space is available, and the child lives in the attendance zone, and 105 ILCS 5/27-24.2 for driver's education with notice to the district by April 1.
After the paperwork
Common questions
Do I have to tell the state I am homeschooling in Illinois?
Not under the home school as a private school route.
Is testing required for homeschoolers in Illinois?
No. Illinois law does not require testing under the home school as a private school route.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Illinois?
The branches of education taught to children of corresponding age and grade in public schools, taught in English. ISBE lists these as language arts, mathematics, biological and physical science, social science, fine arts, and physical development and health.
What ages must be schooled in Illinois?
Ages 6 to 17, per state law.
Sources
- 105 ILCS 5/26-1 (as amended by Public Act 98-0544)
- Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Homeschooling
- Homeschool, Illinois State Board of Education
We read each source on Nov 8, 2026 and recheck every guide each quarter. Laws change. If something here no longer matches the state, write to us and we will fix it.