School days requirements specify the minimum number of instructional days or hours homeschoolers must provide annually. Requirements vary significantly by state, ranging from no mandate to 180 days or 900+ hours.
What is a School Days Requirement?
School days requirements are state-mandated minimums for instructional time in homeschool settings. Some states count days (typically 170-186 per year), others count hours (often 900-1000 annually), and some require both. A handful of states have no requirements at all. These rules exist to ensure homeschooled students receive education comparable to public school students, though the practical reality differs significantly. Research suggests homeschoolers accomplish in 2-3 hours what traditional classrooms take a full day to cover—there's no administrative time, transitions between classes, or waiting for other students to catch up.
Key Takeaways
- Requirements vary dramatically by state—from zero regulation to 180 days plus hour tracking
- Common requirements include 180 days, 900 hours (K-6), or 990 hours (7-12)
- Most homeschool families find 2-4 hours of focused instruction sufficient per day
- Tracking should be simple and consistent—a calendar or basic spreadsheet often works fine
State Requirements at a Glance
Tracking Methods That Work
The best tracking system is one you'll actually use consistently. Many families mark completed school days on a wall calendar and tally monthly totals. Others prefer spreadsheets with tabs for each month and columns for each child. If your state requires hour tracking, note start and end times or estimate based on lesson completion. Digital tools like Scholaric or HomeTrail automatically calculate hours as you mark lessons complete. Whatever method you choose, five minutes of logging at the end of each day beats reconstructing an entire semester's records from memory.
Compliance Best Practices
Compliance Best Practices
- Know your specific state's requirements
Check HSLDA or your state Department of Education—requirements vary dramatically
- Track as you go
Daily logging takes minutes; reconstructing records takes hours
- Submit only what's required
Over-compliance can inadvertently raise expectations for all homeschoolers
- Keep permanent records for key documents
Test scores, assessments, and official correspondence should be retained long-term
- Plan for interstate moves
Research new state requirements before relocating during the school year
The Bottom Line
Understanding your state's school days requirements is essential for homeschool compliance, but don't let the numbers overwhelm you. States with strict requirements typically still allow flexibility in how those hours are delivered—field trips, hands-on projects, and educational activities all count. Start by checking your specific state's regulations through HSLDA or your state's Department of Education website, then set up a tracking system you'll maintain consistently. The goal is documentation that satisfies legal requirements without creating busywork that distracts from actual education.
