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Homeschooling in Indiana

Homeschool rules in Indiana, in plain English

In Indiana, a homeschool is a non-accredited nonpublic school, and the state does not require you to register, get approval, or test your child. You must give instruction equivalent to public school, teach in English, and keep a daily attendance record for each child of compulsory age. Most families teach for 180 days in the July 1 to June 30 school year.

See another state

This explains each state's homeschool rules in plain English, from the state's own published sources. It isn't legal advice, and we aren't lawyers. Laws change and every family is different, so check with your state, your school district or a lawyer before you rely on it.

How much it asks
Some paperwork
School age
7 through 17 (the duty ends at age 18 or graduation)
Time
180 days a year

Homeschool as a non-accredited nonpublic school

Parents who teach their children at home themselves. This is the standard homeschool route in Indiana. Registration with the state is optional.

  1. Before you startTime

    Check the compulsory age

    Children must be in school from age 7 until age 18 or graduation. You may start home instruction before age 7 if you choose.

  2. Before your child leaves public schoolPaperwork

    Withdraw from public school (if your child is enrolled)

    If your child is in a public high school, the principal must give you the state form called Withdrawal to Non-Accredited Nonpublic School Located in Indiana. The principal and a parent both sign it. This form is not a homeschool registration. Keep a signed copy.

  3. Before your child leaves public school at age 16 or 17Paperwork

    Hold an exit interview for students aged 16 or 17

    A student aged 16 or 17 who leaves a public school before graduating must have an exit interview. The student, parent and principal must all agree in writing, and the reason must be financial hardship, illness, or a court order.

  4. Any time (optional)Paperwork

    Register your homeschool (optional)

    The Indiana Department of Education lets families report homeschool enrollment by grade level. The law says parents may report, not must. Registration does not give legal status.

  5. OngoingWhat to teach

    Provide equivalent instruction in English

    The law requires instruction equivalent to that given in public schools. The law does not define equivalent, and it does not set required subjects or curriculum.

  6. Every academic year (July 1 to June 30)Time

    Teach 180 days

    Plan for at least 180 days of instruction in each academic year, which runs from July 1 through June 30. You decide the days and hours of each day.

  7. Ongoing, every instructional dayRecords

    Keep a daily attendance record

    Record each day of instruction for each child of compulsory age. The state does not require a form. The record only has to be shown when requested.

  8. When requested by the state or local superintendentRecords

    Show attendance records when asked

    Only the state superintendent or the superintendent of your local school district may request the record to verify enrollment and attendance. Do not send it unless one of them asks.

Tests and reviews

Indiana does not require tests, evaluations, portfolios or teacher qualifications for homeschools. The law exempts nonaccredited nonpublic schools from state curriculum and content requirements.

Records to keep

  • Accurate daily attendance record for each child of compulsory age, with no required form
  • Signed Withdrawal to Non-Accredited Nonpublic School Located in Indiana form, if a high school student left public school
  • Signed exit interview form, if a 16 or 17 year old left public school before graduating

About time

The state sets 180 days of instruction per academic year. Indiana does not set a minimum number of hours per day. The family decides the schedule.

Also good to know

  • Indiana treats homeschools as nonpublic, non-accredited schools, so the general state homeschool rules are based on the private school statute.
  • Homeschooled students may take part in some public school activities, such as classes or programs, if the local superintendent or school board approves. Sports eligibility is set by the school and athletic association.
  • Families who used a public or accredited school for part of the year should check with the school about its records. Accredited schools must provide records to a new school on request.

What we couldn’t confirm

  • How long families must keep attendance records. The sources I read do not say.
  • Whether the state issues diplomas or transcripts for homeschoolers. Indiana does not certify homeschool diplomas, but I did not confirm this from an official source.
  • Special education services for homeschooled children. Third-party guides say they may qualify for services as private school students, but I did not confirm the details from an official source.
  • Immunization rules for homeschools. Third-party guides say they do not apply, but I did not confirm this from an official source.
  • Whether the Indiana Choice Scholarship or accredited private and virtual schools are separate pathways. These are not homeschools under Indiana law, but I did not read their official rules in full.
  • The current official version of the withdrawal form. The most recent version I read is dated 2018, so ask your high school for the current copy.
  • Whether the state's compulsory age rule applies to a child who starts homeschooling before age 7 after certifying to the superintendent. The statute provides for this, but I did not confirm the current procedure.

From Indiana’s own sources

Last checked against these sources on November 7, 2026. We check every state each week.

How Study Naturally helps in Indiana

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  • Set each child’s lessons, in the subjects you teach
  • A patient tutor teaches every child at their own level
  • A learning record counts days and time against what the state asks
  • Print it, save it as a PDF, or download a spreadsheet for your files

Homeschooling in Indiana

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