We use cookies for performance, analytics and marketing. By using this site, you agree to our use of cookies. For more information, view our Cookie Notice and Privacy Policy.
Homeschooling in Indiana: Guidance for Getting Started
Although homeschooling is legal in every state, each has its own set of requirements and expectations for homeschooling families.
This guide has everything you need to get started and thrive as you homeschool in Indiana. Learn what paperwork is required, the necessary qualifications, what you need to get started, and ultimately, how to best meet your family’s needs as you homeschool in Indiana.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not written as legal advice. Check with your local school board and official Indiana laws before making decisions about educating your children.
Is it easy to homeschool in Indiana?
The good news is, families report that it is actually quite easy to homeschool in The Hoosier State.
While home education is regulated in Indiana, the Homeschool Legal Defense Association has designated Indiana as a no-notice, low-regulation state. Most families find that low regulation means increased flexibility and greater ease as they homeschool.
Homeschooling in Indiana is growing in popularity with more and more opportunities for support statewide. The Indiana Department of Education says that homeschooling is “quickly becoming a significant educational phenomenon” in the state. In fact, over the past eight years, the number of homeschooled children in the state of Indiana has increased by 400 percent!
Requirements for Homeschooling in Indiana
Indiana state statutes designate homeschools as nonaccredited private schools under the law. With this designation, you must meet the following requirements in order to homeschool in Indiana:
- Instruction must be provided in English and be equivalent to other educational options in the state.
- Teach the number of days required by the state each school year. This is typically 180 days.
- Keep records of attendance and be prepared to make these records available to the state if requested.
- Provide learner information to the state if requested, including the number of children being homeschooled and their grade levels.
If your child has never been enrolled in a public school, notification of your intent to homeschool is not required. If you are withdrawing your child from a public school, you will need to notify the child’s school that you are withdrawing.
Public school officials in Indiana may request that you submit an online enrollment form. This is completely voluntary and not required under state law.
How many days are required for homeschool in Indiana?
Indiana homeschoolers are required to meet the same school day requirements as private schools in the state. This is typically 180 days. There are no statutes mandating which days throughout the calendar year meet these requirements.
Racheal A. a Sonlight homeschooler from Fort Wayne, IN says,
Homeschooling in Indiana is fun. We can do school on the days that make the most sense for our schedule. This means we can include my husband on weekend days and homeschool through the summer.”
State statutes require that you maintain an “accurate daily record of attendance” but this is not required to be submitted to any agency. You simply keep track of the days you homeschool in any manner you like and maintain these records throughout the school year.
How many hours are required for homeschooling in Indiana?
There are no minimum instructional hours for Indiana homeschoolers. Much like the flexibility in the days you choose to homeschool, the same is true for the hours you devote to learning. In Indiana, you choose the number of hours, as well as which hours to devote to learning each day.
In general, the school day for homeschoolers is typically much shorter than that of students in public schools, because it is so much more efficient. This means you do not have to follow the typical 7:30 - 2:30 schedule of your local public school.
It is a good idea to maintain some records in your homeschool, in case there is ever any question about your fitness as a homeschooling parent. Again, while this is totally optional, we suggest keeping records of the following:
- The days you completed learning activities
- A summary of what you learned
- a list of curriculum and any other resources
- field trip recaps
- extra-curricular activities and co-ops
- samples of your child’s work
Using the Sonlight planner can help you easily organize this information. It includes pages for the most common records that homeschoolers keep.
Many parents find they appreciate having these records for their own personal benefit. It’s so rewarding to look back and see growth from the beginning of a school year to the end.
Do you have to be certified to homeschool in Indiana?
Who is eligible for homeschooling in Indiana?
Is unschooling legal in Indiana?
Can I homeschool someone else's child in Indiana?
Do homeschoolers have to take standardized tests in Indiana?
There is no requirement for standardized testing or any other documentation of learning in Indiana. However, your high schooler may wish to take national standardized tests for university admittance.
Do you have to have a curriculum when homeschooling in Indiana?
There is no specific curriculum requirement for homeschoolers in Indiana. You are free to select the curriculum and learning resources you like for your child in all subject areas.
We realize that looking for homeschool curriculum resources can be a daunting task. Although legally, you are free to homeschool in the state of Indiana without a set curriculum, having a comprehensive, well-rounded curriculum makes homeschooling so much easier!
The Sonlight All-Subjects Package covers everything you need to homeschool in Indiana. Providing a rich and engaging learning experience for your child makes all the difference in the practical, day-to-day realities of homeschool life.
As you research various homeschool curriculum options, you may be curious about online homeschool programs. While online learning certainly has its place in homeschooling, there are incredible benefits to Sonlight’s Literature Based Approach. Literature for learning is the basis of all Sonlight curriculum options, creating an immersive and accessible experience for your learner.
Getting Started as an Indiana homeschooler
You may be wondering what homeschooling in Indiana is really like on a day-to-day basis. If you are trying to determine the best way to get started, a great place to begin is with our 101 Guide to Getting Started as a Homeschooler.
One of the first things you’ll need to do is choose a curriculum for your homeschool. Your choice should reflect the approach you plan to take for learning in your home, as well as all the subjects you hope to cover.
We also recommend that you designate an area in your home for all of your homeschool books and supplies. We are NOT saying that you need to have an entire room for homeschooling. In fact, many families find that the dining room table or living room couch are the areas most likely to be used for learning.
At what age is school mandatory in Indiana?
Compulsory school attendance is not required in Indiana until your child is 7. However, parents who wish to begin homeschooling prior to the age of 7 may certainly do so.
Can you skip kindergarten in Indiana?
Because school attendance is not required prior to age 7, you may skip kindergarten as a homeschooler in Indiana. Many families, however, find that some sort of learning is not only beneficial but fun for younger children in the family.
We recommend taking a gentle approach to early learning.
If you are considering homeschooling prior to first grade, take a look at Sonlight’s three early years programs:
How long can you homeschool a child in Indiana?
You can homeschool your child all the way through K-12. Or, you may choose to homeschool any combination of years. Homeschooling in Indiana is an option for as many or as few years as you like.
Must-see Indiana Field Trips for Homeschoolers
One of the added benefits of being in a state with so much homeschooling flexibility is the chance to get out, explore, and learn through field trips.
Here are just a few of the wonderful learning options available in Indiana:
A great way to document your field trips is with our free printable field trip log. It’s an excerpt from the Sonlight homeschool planner and has everything you need to capture field trip learning.
Financial Considerations for Homeschooling in Indiana
Homeschooling in any state can cost as much or as little as you like!
As a general guide, it costs between $500 to $2500 a year on average to homeschool one child. This is a wide range because there are many factors to evaluate when it comes to the dollars and cents of homeschooling.
How much does it cost to homeschool in Indiana?
Usually, the greatest expense to consider when homeschooling is the cost of curriculum and other learning resources. Families also find another cost to examine is the potential loss of income. In most cases, one parent will need to give up full-time employment in order to homeschool, although many single-parent and dual-income families find ways to make it work.
If you are looking for more information about what you can expect financially, take a look at our comprehensive guide, How Much Does Homeschooling Cost?
Does Indiana pay for homeschooling?
How can I homeschool in Indiana for free?
Partnering with Schools in Indiana
Homeschoolers in Indiana have the option, on a case-by-case basis, to partner with local schools. A homeschooled child may be allowed to participate in a class or classes, as well as extracurricular activities through their local schools, with school district approval. If you are interested in this option, you must work directly with your local school district to determine if you are eligible. If you are homeschooling a child with special needs, you may also be eligible for services through your local school district.
Special Needs Homeschooling
Homeschooling a child with special needs is legal in all 50 states. Indiana’s state requirements for homeschooling do not change if your child has learning differences or special needs. As with any other child homeschooling in Indiana, you are required to meet the following requirements:
- Instruction must be provided in English
- Teach 180 days each year
- Keep records of attendance
- Provide learner information to the state if requested
Christian Homeschooling in Indiana
Families looking to include a Christian worldview in their homeschool education typically add the following to their learning:
- The Bible as a part of the curriculum
- Christian biographies as a part of literature
- Prayer for missionaries
- Educational discussions through the lens of faith
If you are looking for these types of resources, we have great news for you! Sonlight homeschool curriculum already has all of these Christian components. Sonlight is the original and the standard for Christian literature-based homeschool curriculum.
IAHE (The Indiana Association of Home Educators) was created in 1983 with a commitment to Christian homeschoolers in Indiana. They also offer resources, events, and support to Christian homeschoolers in the state.
Finding Homeschool Community in Indiana
Veteran homeschoolers know the incredible value in finding a community of like-minded homeschooling families. Whether you are looking for social opportunities for your kids, a learning co-op, or even a homeschool parent mentor, making connections in your community of homeschoolers will provide increased support and encouragement.
The Indiana Association of Home Educators (IAHE) is a non-profit organization that hosts conferences and events around the state throughout the year. These events provide ample opportunities to make connections with other Indiana homeschoolers.
Sonlight can also help you find connections with other homeschoolers in Indiana. Start on our Sonlight Connections Page to find an in-person homeschool group in Indiana. You may also find joining our Sonlight Facebook group will help you connect with other families homeschooling in Indiana.
Homeschooling High School in Indiana
Indiana requirements for homeschooling high school are the same as any other grade level. You have the flexibility to decide what you teach your high schooler and the approach you think will work best for your family’s needs.
Many homeschoolers find it helpful to consider state graduation requirements as they create a plan for high school learning.
The Typical High School Course Of Study in Indiana
Graduation requirements in Indiana include the following:
- Language Arts - 4 years
- Mathematics - 3 years
- Science - 3 years
- Social Studies - 3 years
- Electives - 4 years
- Physical Education - 2 years
As a home educator in Indiana however, you choose your high school course of study. It may look similar to the academics above, or entirely different. You decide what best meets your high schooler’s learning needs while homeschooling in Indiana.
Sonlight has a variety of high school programs that help keep you on track, and create an engaging, dynamic education for your child.
High School Transcripts
For most homeschooled students, part of graduating from high school includes the need to prepare transcripts for post-secondary education.
Sonlight has everything you need to create an exceptional high school transcript for your graduate.
REQUEST A FREE CATALOG
Find your ideal homeschool curriculum in the pages of Sonlight's free catalog. Browse Sonlight's award-winning literature-based curriculum and academically excellent products in all subjects—for all grades.
