How to start homeschooling in Kentucky
The legal steps, in order, checked against Kentucky law.
Short answer: Kentucky treats a homeschool as a private school. A parent names the school and notifies the local superintendent of the children in attendance within the first two weeks of each school year, or within two weeks of withdrawing from public school. The homeschool must keep attendance records and scholarship reports open to inspection.
Checked against KRS 159.030(1)(b) on Nov 8, 2026. Compulsory school ages: 6 to 16 (local districts may extend to 18). This is what the law says, not legal advice.
Homeschool as a private school
Families who provide education to their own children at home.
Steps
- Establish a bona fide school by giving your homeschool a name, such as your family name plus School or Academy. No business registration is needed.
- Send the superintendent of your local school district a letter of intent listing the name, age, and home address of each child, within the first two weeks of the school year or within two weeks of withdrawing from public school. The district must accept it.
- Keep attendance records in any paper or digital form.
- Keep scholarship reports showing the courses each student completed and the grades awarded.
- Make your records available for inspection by the district's Director of Pupil Personnel and Kentucky Department of Education officials.
- Send a new notification letter every year.
| Notice to the state | Yes To: The superintendent of the local board of education where you live When: Within the first two weeks of the school year, or within two weeks of withdrawing from public school, every year |
|---|---|
| Subjects | None required by law |
| Time | None required by law |
| Parent qualifications | None required by law |
| Testing or evaluation | None required by law |
| Records to keep | Attendance records and scholarship reports documenting courses completed and grades awarded, open to inspection by the Director of Pupil Personnel and Kentucky Department of Education officials. The department accepts attendance kept in any paper or digital form. |
The law: KRS 159.030(1)(b) KRS 159.040 KRS 159.160 KRS 158.080 Kentucky Department of Education, Homeschool Information Packet (May 2026)
Leaving public school mid-year
The Kentucky Department of Education says families must notify the local superintendent of their intent to homeschool within two weeks of withdrawing from the public school. The notice lists each child's name, age, and home address, and the district may not reject it.
High school, transcripts and diplomas
The department says Kentucky has no statewide diploma, so homeschools issue their own diplomas. The department cannot verify homeschool diplomas and recommends students consider the GED or an equivalent exam. When a student moves into a public school, 704 KAR 3:307 has the district place the student and award prior credit by exam or by earning at least a C in a higher sequential course by the 12th week.
Public school sports and activities
The department says participation in public school extracurricular activities is decided by the local school district. No statute granting access was confirmed.
After the paperwork
Common questions
Do I have to tell the state I am homeschooling in Kentucky?
Yes, under the homeschool as a private school route, you notify the superintendent of the local board of education where you live within the first two weeks of the school year, or within two weeks of withdrawing from public school, every year.
Is testing required for homeschoolers in Kentucky?
No. Kentucky law does not require testing under the homeschool as a private school route.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Kentucky?
None. Kentucky law does not set required subjects under the homeschool as a private school route.
What ages must be schooled in Kentucky?
Ages 6 to 16 (local districts may extend to 18), per state law.
Sources
- KRS 159.030(1)(b)
- KRS 159.040
- KRS 159.160
- KRS 158.080
- Kentucky Department of Education, Homeschool Information Packet (May 2026)
- KRS 159.010 (compulsory attendance ages)
- Homeschool Information Packet, Kentucky 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.