How to start homeschooling in Indiana
The legal steps, in order, checked against Indiana law.
Short answer: Indiana treats a homeschool as a non-public, non-accredited school. A parent must provide instruction equivalent to that given in public schools and keep an accurate daily attendance record. Registration with the state is optional, and there is no testing requirement.
Checked against IC 20-33-2-12, 20-33-2-20, 20-33-2-27, 20-33-2-28 on Nov 8, 2026. Compulsory school ages: 7 to 18. This is what the law says, not legal advice.
Non-public, non-accredited school (homeschool)
Families who withdraw from public or accredited non-public schools to educate their children themselves at home.
Steps
- Tell your child's current school that you are withdrawing to homeschool. A phone call may be enough, but the department recommends writing.
- If your child is in high school, sign the school's Withdrawal to Non-accredited Non-public School Located in Indiana form so the student is removed from the graduation cohort rather than counted as a dropout.
- Optionally register your homeschool with the Indiana Department of Education. Registration is one time and covers all your students.
- Choose your curriculum and materials. The law does not set curriculum content for homeschools.
- Keep an accurate daily attendance record and provide it if the Secretary of Education or your local superintendent asks for it.
| Notice to the state | No notice required |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Instruction equivalent to that given in public schools. State law does not define this, and homeschools are not bound by Indiana curriculum or content requirements. |
| Time | The department says parents should provide 180 days of instruction in each academic year, running July 1 to June 30. Days in a public or accredited school count toward the 180. Public school daily hour requirements do not apply. |
| Parent qualifications | None required by law |
| Testing or evaluation | None required by law |
| Records to keep | An accurate daily record of attendance, to be provided on request of the Secretary of Education or the public school superintendent where the student lives. No specific form is required. |
The law: IC 20-33-2-12, 20-33-2-20, 20-33-2-27, 20-33-2-28 Indiana Department of Education, Indiana Homeschool Laws FAQ (August 2025)
Leaving public school mid-year
The department says parents must inform the school of the decision to withdraw, and recommends doing so in writing. For elementary and middle school students, the school cannot require a specific form, registration, or proof of a homeschool program before withdrawal. For high school students, IC 20-33-2-28.6 requires the Withdrawal to Non-accredited Non-public School Located in Indiana form. If a parent does not sign it, the student is treated as a dropout and may be reported to the BMV for license action.
High school, transcripts and diplomas
Homeschool students do not receive a diploma accredited by the State Board of Education and state graduation requirements do not apply. The department says that under HEA 1348, a diploma or credential issued by a nonaccredited non-public school is legally sufficient to show the person completed high school, and Indiana state and local agencies and colleges may not reject it based only on its source. The person running the homeschool may sign documents on enrollment, status, grades, and transcripts. Students may also take the High School Equivalency exam through the Department of Workforce Development.
Public school sports and activities
The department says participation in public school extracurricular activities is a local decision of the school corporation. No statute granting access was confirmed.
After the paperwork
Common questions
Do I have to tell the state I am homeschooling in Indiana?
Not under the non-public, non-accredited school (homeschool) route.
Is testing required for homeschoolers in Indiana?
No. Indiana law does not require testing under the non-public, non-accredited school (homeschool) route.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Indiana?
Instruction equivalent to that given in public schools. State law does not define this, and homeschools are not bound by Indiana curriculum or content requirements.
What ages must be schooled in Indiana?
Ages 7 to 18, per state law.
Sources
- IC 20-33-2-12, 20-33-2-20, 20-33-2-27, 20-33-2-28
- Indiana Department of Education, Indiana Homeschool Laws FAQ (August 2025)
- IC 20-33-2-28.6 (high school withdrawal form)
- Homeschool Information, Indiana Department 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.