Indiana Homeschool Requirements Checklist
Everything you need to do to homeschool legally in Indiana, based on IC 20-33-2-4 (Compulsory Attendance); IC 20-33-2-6 (Equivalency Exemption). Indiana is classified as Low regulation.
This is the general checklist for Non-Accredited Non-Public School (Homeschool), the most common of Indiana's 2 pathways. Our free wizard customizes this for your family, including grade, pathway, enrollment status, and IEP.
Your compliance checklist
Do first
Withdrawal letter recommended
A formal letter isn't required, but it is recommended if your child is enrolled in school. Send it to public school where child is currently enrolled.
Deadline: Before you start (if enrolled)
More details
No specific withdrawal statute exists. Submit a written withdrawal letter stating the child is being withdrawn to attend a non-public school (homeschool). Filing the voluntary IDOE enrollment form is recommended but not legally required. Failure to notify the school can trigger truancy reports. No waiting period; homeschooling may begin immediately upon withdrawal.
Ongoing
Required subjects
English / language arts (reading, writing, spelling, grammar, composition, literature), mathematics, social studies (U.S. history, government/civics, geography, economics), science (biological and physical sciences)
More details
No specific subjects are mandated by name — HSLDA states 'there are no mandatory subjects.' However, instruction must be 'equivalent to that given in the public schools' (IC 20-33-2-6) and in English (IC 20-33-2-4). Per State v. Peterman, 'equivalent' means equivalent in kind (same general subjects), not in method, materials, or organization. The subjects listed above are the generally expected core areas. Families do not need to follow Indiana Academic Standards or use state-approved textbooks.
Meet instructional time requirements
Minimum: 180 days/year.
More details
Must operate 'for the same number of days that the public schools in your district are in session' — typically 180 days per IC 20-30-2-3, though variable by district. No specific hourly requirement for non-public schools. No prescribed calendar; families choose their own schedule. What constitutes a 'day' is not defined by statute for non-public schools.
Keep basic records
You must maintain: attendance records. Records may be reviewed by the district.
More details
HSLDA states families must 'keep attendance records to verify the enrollment and attendance of your students' — available upon request from state or district superintendent. Beyond attendance, no other statutory recordkeeping requirement. Strongly recommended: attendance log (180 days), subject/curriculum records, student work samples, high school transcripts, copies of voluntary enrollment forms and withdrawal letters, immunization records.
Good news
No notification required
Indiana does not require you to notify anyone to begin homeschooling.
No testing or assessment required
No standardized testing or assessments required under this pathway.
Education savings: Indiana Education Scholarship Account (ESA)
Indiana Education Scholarship Account (ESA): $20,000 (students with disabilities) / $8,000 (siblings) — Primarily for students with disabilities eligible for special education services. Sibling eligibility available for siblings of ESA recipients.
More details
Funds deposited into scholarship account via ClassWallet portal for approved educational expenses including curriculum, tutoring, educational therapy, testing fees, and online courses. Debit cards are not used; funds are not deposited into personal accounts. Effective July 1, 2026, administration transfers from Indiana Treasurer of State to Indiana Department of Education. Website: https://www.in.gov/tos/inesa/
Ongoing requirements
Required subjects
- ✓English / language arts (reading, writing, spelling, grammar, composition, literature)
- ✓mathematics
- ✓social studies (U.S. history, government/civics, geography, economics)
- ✓science (biological and physical sciences)
No specific subjects are mandated by name — HSLDA states 'there are no mandatory subjects.' However, instruction must be 'equivalent to that given in the public schools' (IC 20-33-2-6) and in English (IC 20-33-2-4). Per State v. Peterman, 'equivalent' means equivalent in kind (same general subjects), not in method, materials, or organization. The subjects listed above are the generally expected core areas. Families do not need to follow Indiana Academic Standards or use state-approved textbooks.
IC 20-33-2-6 (instruction equivalent to public schools); IC 20-33-2-4 (instruction in English)
Instructional time
- Days per year:
- 180
Must operate 'for the same number of days that the public schools in your district are in session' — typically 180 days per IC 20-30-2-3, though variable by district. No specific hourly requirement for non-public schools. No prescribed calendar; families choose their own schedule. What constitutes a 'day' is not defined by statute for non-public schools.
IC 20-30-2-3 (180-day school year requirement)
Recordkeeping
- ✓Attendance records
Records may be reviewed by the district.
HSLDA states families must 'keep attendance records to verify the enrollment and attendance of your students' — available upon request from state or district superintendent. Beyond attendance, no other statutory recordkeeping requirement. Strongly recommended: attendance log (180 days), subject/curriculum records, student work samples, high school transcripts, copies of voluntary enrollment forms and withdrawal letters, immunization records.
IC 20-33-2-28
What you don't need to worry about
No notification required
Indiana does not require you to notify anyone to begin homeschooling.
No testing or assessment required
No standardized testing or assessments required under this pathway.
Education savings: Indiana Education Scholarship Account (ESA)
Indiana Education Scholarship Account (ESA): $20,000 (students with disabilities) / $8,000 (siblings) — Primarily for students with disabilities eligible for special education services. Sibling eligibility available for siblings of ESA recipients.
Other ways to homeschool in Indiana
This checklist covers Non-Accredited Non-Public School (Homeschool), the most common pathway. Indiana offers 2 different ways to homeschool, each with different requirements:
- •Non-Accredited Non-Public School (Homeschool)(this checklist) : You teach subjects equivalent to public school for 180 days — no notification, testing, curriculum approval, recordkeeping requirements, or progress reports are legally required. The IDOE provides a voluntary enrollment form, and filing is strongly recommended to avoid potential truancy inquiries, but it is not mandatory. Most Indiana homeschool families use this pathway.
- •Accredited Non-Public School : You operate as a state-accredited private school, which requires certified teachers, a curriculum meeting accreditation standards, and more extensive recordkeeping and oversight. This pathway is rarely used by individual homeschool families due to the teacher certification requirement.
Our wizard helps you choose the right one. Compare all pathways for Indiana
Education savings available
Indiana offers Indiana Education Scholarship Account (ESA). Learn about ESA programs
Related guides
Get your personalized checklist
This is the general checklist for the most common pathway. The wizard customizes it for your family's specific situation, including grade, pathway, and IEP status.
Get your Indiana checklistRequirements sourced from IC 20-33-2-4 (Compulsory Attendance); IC 20-33-2-6 (Equivalency Exemption). Verified against primary legal sources. Last verified: March 2026