Homeschooling in Ohio: Guidance for Getting Started

Homeschooling in Ohio provides a wealth of learning opportunities, social engagement, and educational success for homeschooling families. This guide has everything you need to get started homeschooling in The Buckeye State. Find out state reporting requirements and standards, Ohio homeschool teacher qualifications, the state’s best field trips, and much, much more!

DISCLAIMER: This article is not written as legal advice. Check with your local school board and official Ohio laws before making decisions about educating your children.

Homeschooling under the state’s homeschool statute is the option a majority of homeschool parents choose in Ohio. Under this statute, families must fulfill the following requirements:

• Submit a notification of intent to homeschool annually
• Meet minimum parent teacher qualifications
• Teach subjects required by the state
• Meet minimum learning hours requirement 
• Assess academic proficiency annually

Look at each of these conditions in more detail below.

The second option available to homeschoolers is to form a separate, non-chartered, non-tax supported school. Ohio Administrative Code 3301-35-08 permits “a school which is not chartered by the state board of education, nor seeking a charter, because of truly held religious beliefs to operate if it meets certain minimum standards.” The administrative code is what gives this option the “- 08 School” name. 

While this is a legally viable option for homeschoolers, it does require a significant investment in time, money, and energy as you are essentially creating your own legal school from scratch. 

Once you have submitted your letter of intent to your school district of residence, it can be difficult to know what to do next in order to get started homeschooling. Many parents do not come from a homeschooling background themselves, and may wonder what homeschooling is really like on a day to day basis. 

A great place to begin is with our 101 Guide to Getting Started as a Homeschooler. This simple, informative guide has everything you need to begin to homeschool in Ohio with confidence.

If you are transitioning to homeschooling from a traditional classroom environment, it’s helpful to consider the implications of this change. We encourage you to give your family (and yourself) grace as you adjust to a new normal. These resources provide support and encouragement for new homeschoolers coming from a public school background.

As you consider curriculum options, you may be curious about online homeschool programs. While online learning can play a role in homeschooling, there are incredible benefits to Sonlight’s Literature Based Approach. Using literature for learning across subjects is a key component of all Sonlight curriculum options. Learning with literature creates an immersive and engaging experience for your child. 

Ohio is a state rich with history and diversity. Families homeschooling in Ohio find ample opportunities to learn outside their home through field trip experiences. 

Here are just a few of the dynamic learning options available in Ohio:

• Harriet Beecher Stowe House
• Cincinnati Ballet dress rehearsals
• Blue Rock State Park
• The Dayton Art Institute
• First Ladies National Historic Site
• Columbus Museum of Art
• Akron Fossils & Science Center
• National Veterans Memorial and Museum 
• Independence Dam State Park
• Museum of Ceramics
• James A. Garfield National Historic Site
• AHA! A Hands-On Adventure: A Children's Museum

Document field trip learning for your annual portfolio with our free printable field trip log (an excerpt from the Sonlight Homeschool Planner). 

As you consider homeschooling your child, you may be wondering what to expect in terms of dollars and cents. Recent data confirms that homeschooling a single child costs between $500 to $2500 a year on average. To see the finances of homeschooling in action, read our extensive guide How Much Does Homeschooling Cost?

Now, let’s look specifically at the finances of homeschooling in Ohio.

One advantage to homeschooling in Ohio is the easy-to-access opportunities to partner with local schools.

The state is much more accommodating than most in the relationship it allows between public schools and homeschooling families. 

Homeschooled learners in Ohio may:

• Take individual courses or even enroll part-time in public schools at the discretion of the local school district 
• Participate in extracurricular activities in their local public school, including all athletics.  If the district does not offer a certain extracurricular of interest, the student may also request to participate in the desired activity in another district.
• Undergo evaluations for special services. Public schools in Ohio are required by law to offer evaluations to homeschoolers who may have disabilities.  There is no obligation, however, to provide any additional, needed services while the student is homeschooled. 

The choice to homeschool is often made by parents looking to include religious beliefs in their children’s education. For Christian homeschoolers, this may include:

• Christian biographies included in reading lessons
• Bible texts as a part of curriculum
• Educational conversations from faith-based perspectives

If you are seeking a Christian educational option, Sonlight is a curriculum that has all of these faith-based components. Sonlight is the standard for Christian literature-based homeschool curriculum. 

Another excellent resource for Christian homeschooling in Ohio is the Christian Home Educators of Ohio membership community.  For more than 35 years, CHEO has operated as a year-round ministry supporting Christian homeschoolers in Ohio. 

Ask any veteran homeschool parent, and they will tell you how valuable finding a like-minded homeschool community is in your homeschool journey. Connecting with a mentor, joining a local co-op, and even finding another homeschooling family for playdates and field trips can make all the difference in your homeschool. 

The good news is, Ohip has a wealth of opportunities to connect with other homeschooling families. 

One of the best places to start is with the Ohio Homeschooling Parents Network. They offer activities for kids, local homeschool groups, parent support, and more. 

 We are also happy to share that Sonlight is also a valuable resource for finding homeschool connections in Ohio. Search for an in-person group in Ohio on our Sonlight Connections Page. Another great place to meet local homeschoolers in Ohio is in our Sonlight Facebook Group.

No matter how long a parent has been homeschooling, the high school years can feel daunting at first. The good news is that while it may seem like a significant transition to educating a teen, the requirements for homeschooling high school in the state of Ohio are the same as any other grade level. You will submit your notice of intent and follow the same hours and documentation requirements. 

State statutes may remain the same in the high school years, but homeschooling parents often need a bit more guidance in creating an actual high school-level learning plan. Reviewing graduation requirements for the state can be a helpful place to start. 

In the state of Ohio, high school graduation requirements for public schools include: 

• Language Arts - 4 years
• Mathematics - 4 years
• Science - 3 years
• Social Studies - 3 years
• Physical Education - 2 years
• Health -  1 semester
• Economics and financial literacy - 1 semester
• Electives - 2.5 years

As an Ohio homeschooler, you have the autonomy to choose how to teach these subjects.  You are able to select the program and learning resources that best suit your high schooler’s needs. 

Sonlight has engaging curriculum programs that satisfy Ohio high school graduation requirements and create a dynamic learning experience for your teen.

Homeschooling through the high school years means you will also likely have a need to prepare transcripts for post-secondary education. Don’t worry! Sonlight has an abundance of helpful resources to help you create a quality high school transcript for your homeschool graduate.