Homeschooling in Kansas
Kansas homeschool laws, non-accredited private school registration, 1,116 hours requirement, extracurricular access, and financial resources. 2026 KS guide.
At a Glance
Kansas homeschool law overview
- Compulsory Ages
- 7-18
- Notice Required
- One-time registration
- Teacher Qualifications
- Competent instructor
- State Assessment
- None required
- Regulation Level
- Low
- Extracurricular Access
- Yes (by law)
Important Notice
Requirements
What you need to know to start homeschooling in Kansas
Legal Foundation: Kansas Compulsory Attendance Statutes
In Kansas, homeschools are legally classified as Non-Accredited Private Schools (NAPS). This distinction is important because it means your homeschool operates under private school law rather than a separate homeschool statute. The relevant statutes include K.S.A. 72-3120 (compulsory school attendance) and K.S.A. 72-4345 et seq. (registration of private schools).
Compulsory attendance applies to children ages 7 through 18. Kansas law does not use the term "homeschool" but instead treats your home-based education program as a private school that happens to operate from your home.
Registration: One-Time Only
Every homeschool in Kansas must register with the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) as a Non-Accredited Private School. The registration process is simple:
- Provide the name and address of your school
- Provide the name and address of the custodian of records
- No fee is required
- Registration is required only at the establishment of your school
- Annual re-registration is not required
This is a one-time filing. Once you are registered, you do not need to re-register each year or submit any ongoing paperwork to the state.
Instructional Time Requirements
Kansas requires that instruction be "substantially equivalent" to the time public schools provide. The specific requirements are:
- At least 186 days per year
- No less than 6 hours per day
- 1,116 hours per year for grades 1-11 (1,086 for grade 12)
- 465 hours per year for kindergarten
These are the numbers on paper. In practice, homeschool families often find that focused one-on-one instruction accomplishes in fewer hours what takes a classroom much longer. The state does not actively monitor or verify your instructional hours.
Competent Instructor Requirement
Kansas statute requires that courses be taught by a "competent instructor." Here is the important part: this term is not defined by statute or case law. Kansas law does not require teachers in non-accredited private schools to be certified, nor are there specific requirements for credentials or educational background.
In practice, a parent who establishes an appropriate academic environment, evidenced by curriculum planning, organization, testing, and academic progress, is generally presumed to be "competent." You do not need a teaching degree or any specific certification.
Curriculum and Subjects
Kansas law requires that instruction be "planned and scheduled with periodic testing" but does not mandate specific subjects. There is no state-prescribed curriculum. You have complete freedom to choose your own educational materials, teaching methods, and areas of focus.
Record Keeping
The state emphasizes keeping "accurate and complete" records of each child's progress, but no particular ongoing records are mandated. Each parent may decide what constitutes appropriate records. Keeping organized documentation of curriculum, attendance, and student progress is recommended for your own purposes.
Evaluations
Annual evaluation and assessment options
No State Testing Requirements
Non-accredited private schools, including homeschools, are exempt from state testing requirements in Kansas. You are not required to administer standardized tests, submit portfolios, or have your child evaluated by any outside authority.
The statute does reference that instruction should include "periodic testing," but this means your own internal assessments, not state-mandated standardized tests. How you test and evaluate your child's progress is entirely up to you.
Optional Assessment Resources
While not required, many Kansas homeschool families choose to use standardized tests for benchmarking. Popular options include:
- Iowa Assessments - commonly used by homeschool families across the Midwest
- Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10) - available through homeschool testing services
- CAT (California Achievement Test) - another popular option
- PSAT, SAT, and ACT - important for college-bound students and available at local testing centers
Kansas homeschool organizations sometimes coordinate group testing sessions, making it affordable and convenient to benchmark your child's progress if you choose to do so.
Financial Resources
Vouchers, scholarships, and tax credits
Current State-Level Programs
As of early 2026, Kansas does not have an active state-funded ESA, voucher, or tax credit program specifically for homeschool families. However, significant legislative efforts are underway.
Proposed Legislation: Senate Bill 75
Senate Bill 75, introduced in January 2025, would have created an education tax credit program. Key provisions:
- $8,000 tax credit per child enrolled in an accredited private school
- $4,000 tax credit per child who is homeschooled (non-accredited private school)
- Credits could be claimed in advance or at tax time
- Program capped at $125 million in the first year, increasing by 25% annually
However, SB 75 was withdrawn from the calendar and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means in February 2025, stalling its progress. The bill has not been signed into law as of this writing. Kansas Republican leaders continue to push for school choice legislation, so this landscape may change. [VERIFY current status of SB 75 or successor bills]
Tax Credit for Low-Income Students Scholarship Program
Kansas does have a Tax Credit for Low-Income Students Scholarship Program that provides scholarships for students from lower-income families to attend accredited private schools. This program is administered through scholarship-granting organizations, but it does not directly apply to homeschool families since homeschools are non-accredited.
Federal Tax Benefits
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, families can withdraw up to $20,000 per year from 529 accounts for qualified K-12 expenses as of 2026. This applies to homeschool curriculum, textbooks, tutoring, and educational supplies regardless of state.
Local Resources
- Kansas public libraries - free access to educational materials statewide
- Kansas Home Educators - support group providing community connections and resources
- Virtual schools - some families join Kansas virtual schools like Opened to access state funding for curriculum and classes while maintaining flexibility
- National homeschool grants - organizations like the Home School Foundation offer need-based assistance
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about homeschooling in Kansas