Everything you need to know about homeschooling in Kentucky - a low-regulation state where homeschools operate as private schools. Annual notification, 185 days of instruction, and no testing required. Updated for the 2025-2026 school year.
Kentucky is a low-regulation state for homeschooling. Under Kentucky law, homeschools operate as private schools, giving families broad freedom over curriculum, methods, and assessment. The requirements are straightforward: notify your local school board annually, provide 185 days of instruction, and maintain attendance records and scholarship reports.
The legal framework is established by KRS 159.010, KRS 159.030, and KRS 159.040. These statutes define private schools to include home schools and establish the compulsory attendance requirements and exemptions.
There is no testing, no curriculum approval, no portfolio reviews, and no teacher qualifications required. Kentucky's approach emphasizes parental freedom while requiring only basic documentation.
Kentucky uses an October 1 birthday rule for compulsory education. If your child turns 6 on or before October 1, they must begin instruction that school year. Also note that Kentucky requires 185 days of instruction - more than the 180 days most states require - so plan your calendar accordingly.
Kentucky has a single compliance path: your homeschool operates as a private school. This classification provides the same legal standing and autonomy as any other private school in Kentucky.
| Requirement | Kentucky Homeschool (Private School) |
|---|---|
| Legal Basis | KRS 159.010, 159.030, 159.040 |
| Classification | Private school |
| Notification | Annual, within 2 weeks of starting |
| Attendance | 185 days minimum |
| Teacher Qualification | None required |
| Required Subjects | Broad discretion (see below) |
| Testing | None required |
| Record-Keeping | Attendance + scholarship reports (kept at home) |
Kentucky law defines private schools to include "schools that are privately owned and operated, including home schools." This means your homeschool has the same legal autonomy as any other private school in the state - no curriculum standards, no state testing, and no teacher certification.
The school board can receive your notification and request attendance records and scholarship reports. The school board cannot approve or deny your curriculum, require standardized testing, conduct home visits without cause, or deny your right to homeschool.
A key feature of Kentucky law is that your attendance records and scholarship reports are maintained at home. You only need to provide them if the superintendent requests them. You are not required to proactively submit anything beyond your initial notification.
Starting a homeschool in Kentucky is straightforward with just a few steps.
Send a written notification to your local school board's superintendent's office within 2 weeks of beginning each school year. Include your children's names, ages, address, parent information, and enrollment dates. Some districts have their own forms - contact the superintendent's office to ask.
Establish a system to track your instruction days toward the 185-day requirement. A simple calendar, log, or tracking app works well.
Select materials for your educational approach. No approval is needed - you have complete freedom over what to teach and how to teach it.
Start teaching, maintain your attendance records, and keep scholarship reports documenting your child's educational progress throughout the year.
Send your notification to the school board, then send a separate withdrawal letter to your child's current school. Request student records and begin homeschooling.
The notification must be filed within 2 weeks of beginning each school year. Most families file in August or early September. Do not delay this - it is your primary compliance obligation in Kentucky.
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Kentucky requires a simple annual notification to your local school board. This is not an approval process - you are informing the school board that you are providing private school education at home.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Submit To | Local school board (superintendent's office) |
| Deadline | Within 2 weeks of beginning each school year |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Form | Written notification (district may have own form) |
Contact your local superintendent's office to ask if they have a specific form. If not, a simple written letter containing the above information is sufficient.
Kentucky does not mandate specific subjects for homeschools. Parents have broad discretion over curriculum choices, materials, and teaching methods. There is no state-mandated curriculum, no textbook requirements, and no curriculum approval process.
While not strictly codified, most Kentucky homeschool families include these core areas:
Any teaching method is acceptable, including textbook-based, Charlotte Mason, classical, unschooling, online programs, or any combination. Religious instruction is fully permitted.
For college-bound students, covering a well-rounded set of subjects strengthens their transcript. Kentucky public universities (UK, UofL, WKU, EKU) accept homeschool graduates with parent-created transcripts and ACT scores.
Kentucky requires 185 days of instruction per year - approximately 37 weeks. This is slightly more than the 180 days most states require, so plan your calendar accordingly.
Daily hours are not specified, giving families flexible scheduling. You set your own start time, end time, and daily duration. There is no requirement to follow the public school calendar.
You must maintain attendance records documenting your instruction days. These records are kept at home and only submitted if the superintendent requests them. A simple calendar or log tracking your school days is sufficient.
Start tracking from day one. With 185 days required, you need to average about 4.6 days per week over a 40-week period. Many families plan for 37 weeks of 5-day instruction with a few extra days built in as a buffer.
Kentucky requires no standardized testing, no evaluations, and no portfolio reviews for homeschool students. You are the sole judge of your child's educational progress.
Kentucky does require you to maintain "scholarship reports" - documentation of your child's educational progress and achievement. These can take any format:
Scholarship reports are maintained at home. You only need to submit them if the superintendent specifically requests them.
While not required, some families choose to test for college preparation:
The term "scholarship report" simply means documentation of your child's educational progress. It is not a formal report with a specific format. A simple summary of subjects covered, progress made, and any grades earned is sufficient. Think of it as your record of what your child learned.
Kentucky requires you to maintain two types of records, both kept at home unless requested by the superintendent.
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Kentucky does not have a statewide law guaranteeing homeschoolers access to public school sports or extracurricular activities. Participation is at the discretion of each local school district.
The KHSAA (Kentucky High School Athletic Association) governs public school athletics, and current rules generally exclude homeschoolers. Some districts may have their own policies.
The Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) is Kentucky's merit-based scholarship for college. Homeschoolers may be eligible with proper ACT scores. Check current requirements with KHEAA (Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority) for the latest eligibility criteria.
Homeschoolers can request evaluations through their local school district. Access to full IEP services is limited and generally requires enrollment in public school.
If your child is college-bound, look into the KEES scholarship early. Document the KEES core curriculum requirements on your transcript and ensure your student takes the ACT. This scholarship can provide significant financial assistance at Kentucky public universities.
Kentucky homeschool law is straightforward, but new families commonly make these mistakes.
Your annual notification to the school board and 185-day attendance tracking are your two most important compliance obligations. Miss the notification deadline, and you may face truancy concerns. Fall short of 185 days, and you are not meeting the legal requirement. Track both carefully.
Within 2 weeks of starting each school year. Most families file in August or early September.
Documentation of your child's educational progress - grades, progress notes, portfolio summary, or any format you choose. Keep it at home; only submit if the superintendent asks.
No. You are only required to provide attendance records and scholarship reports upon request. Your curriculum choices are not subject to review.
You still must maintain them. The requirement is to keep the records, regardless of whether they are ever requested.
Potentially. Check with KHEAA for current requirements, which typically involve ACT scores and core curriculum completion.
Don't fall short of 185 days
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Track Kentucky ComplianceDisclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Homeschool laws can change. Always verify current requirements with the Kentucky Department of Education or consult a qualified attorney. For more information, see the Kentucky Department of Education and Christian Home Educators of Kentucky. Last updated February 2026.