Homeschooling in Indiana
Everything you need to homeschool in Indiana: no registration required, equivalent instruction, the ESA program, IHSAA sports access, and financial resources.
At a Glance
Indiana homeschool law overview
- Compulsory Ages
- 7-18
- Notification Required
- No state registration or notification required
- Teacher Qualifications
- None required
- Required Subjects
- Equivalent instruction (not specifically defined)
- Standardized Testing
- Not required
- State Funding
- ESA up to $8,000 (siblings); Choice Scholarship ~$5,800 (private school only)
Important Notice
Requirements
What you need to know to start homeschooling in Indiana
Compulsory Attendance Ages
Indiana requires compulsory school attendance for children ages 7 through 18 under IC 20-33-2. Note that compulsory attendance does not begin until age 7, which is later than many states. A child who turns 18 during the school year is no longer subject to compulsory attendance.
No Registration or Notification Required
Indiana is one of the most hands-off states in the nation for homeschooling. You do not need to:
- Register your homeschool with the state.
- File a Notice of Intent or any paperwork with your school district.
- Report your curriculum, schedule, or teaching methods to anyone.
You simply begin educating your child at home. That said, if your child is currently enrolled in a public school, you should formally withdraw them (see below).
Equivalent Instruction Standard
Under IC 20-33-2-27 and IC 20-33-2-28, it is unlawful for a parent to fail to provide instruction "equivalent to that given in public schools." However, Indiana law does not define what "equivalent instruction" means. The state does not prescribe specific subjects, curricula, or teaching methods. In practice, this standard is interpreted broadly and gives families wide latitude.
No Teacher Qualifications
Indiana imposes no teacher qualifications on homeschooling parents. You do not need a teaching certificate, college degree, or any specific training.
Attendance Requirements
Under IC 20-33-2-20, homeschools must provide 180 days of instruction per academic year (July 1 through June 30). You must maintain an accurate daily record of attendance. These records must be available upon request by the Indiana Secretary of Education or the local public school superintendent.
No Required Subjects
State law exempts home schools from the specific curriculum and program requirements that public schools must follow. You are free to design your own curriculum. Most families cover core subjects like language arts, math, science, social studies, and health, but this is by choice, not by mandate.
Withdrawing from Public School
If your child is currently enrolled in an Indiana public school, submit a written withdrawal letter to the school. Indiana does not have a specific withdrawal form, but your letter should state that you are withdrawing your child to provide home education. Keep a copy for your records. You do not need the school's permission to withdraw.
Evaluations
Annual evaluation and assessment options
No State-Mandated Testing
Indiana does not require standardized testing, portfolio reviews, or any form of academic evaluation for homeschooled students. There are no assessments to file with the state, no evaluator visits, and no benchmark requirements. You have complete autonomy over how you measure your child's progress.
Attendance Records
The one documentation requirement in Indiana is maintaining an accurate daily attendance record under IC 20-33-2-20. This record must verify enrollment and attendance and must be available upon request by the Secretary of Education or your local superintendent. There is no special form required -- a simple calendar or log showing which days instruction occurred is sufficient.
Voluntary Assessment Options
Many Indiana homeschool families voluntarily test their children for various reasons, including tracking progress, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and preparing for college admissions. Common options include:
- Iowa Assessments or Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10) for academic benchmarking.
- ILEARN -- while homeschool students are not required to take Indiana's state assessment, some families choose to access it through their local school.
- ACT or SAT for college-bound high school students.
Record-Keeping Best Practices
Beyond attendance records, it is wise to maintain course descriptions, reading lists, work samples, and any test scores. These records are helpful for college applications, scholarship eligibility, re-enrollment in public school, and documenting your child's educational history.
Financial Resources
Vouchers, scholarships, and tax credits
Indiana Education Scholarship Account (ESA)
Indiana's Education Scholarship Account (ESA) program is available to students with disabilities and their siblings. Here is what homeschool families should know:
- Amount: Participants receive 90% of what the state would have spent on their behalf in a public school -- up to $20,000 for students with disabilities and up to $8,000 for siblings.
- Funding: The Legislature appropriated $10 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
- Eligible Expenses: Any pre-approved educational expenses, including therapies, services, curriculum, tutoring, and educational technology.
- Restriction: ESA funds cannot be combined with the Indiana Choice Scholarship voucher program, but they can be combined with the School Scholarship Tax Credit program.
Indiana Choice Scholarship (Voucher)
Governor Mike Braun signed HB 1001 on May 6, 2025, making the Choice Scholarship Program universal by removing income eligibility requirements starting in 2026. Key details:
- Average Award: Approximately $5,800 per academic year.
- Limitation: This voucher can only be used for tuition and fees at non-public schools -- it cannot be used for homeschool expenses directly. However, homeschool families who enroll part-time in a qualifying private school may benefit.
- Largest Program: Indiana's Choice Scholarship is the largest private school voucher program in the United States.
Federal Tax Benefits
Starting in 2026, federal law allows up to $20,000 per year in tax-free withdrawals from 529 accounts for qualified K-12 expenses. Indiana's CollegeChoice 529 plan offers a state tax credit of 20% on contributions (up to $1,500 credit per year). The federal Coverdell ESA allows $2,000 per year per child in tax-free savings for K-12 expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about homeschooling in Indiana