Homeschooling in Indiana: Laws & Requirements (2026)

Indiana ranks among the most homeschool-friendly states in America. The law is refreshingly simple: provide 180 days of instruction equivalent to public school, teach in English, and keep attendance records available upon request. There's no registration requirement, no notification to the state or school district, no curriculum approval, and no standardized testing.

The state classifies homeschools as "non-accredited private schools"—a legal distinction that places you outside public school jurisdiction. Indiana trusts parents to direct their children's education without government oversight. Combined with a $1,000 tax deduction for educational expenses and one of the nation's most generous special needs ESA programs, Indiana provides both freedom and financial support for homeschool families.

Indiana Homeschool Requirements at a Glance

Understanding Indiana's Homeschool-Friendly Law

Indiana Code 20-33-2-28 defines the homeschool requirement simply: parents must provide "equivalent education" to that offered in public schools. The law intentionally leaves "equivalent" undefined—Indiana courts and the Department of Education have no authority to interpret what it means for your family.

What "Equivalent Education" Means in Practice: HSLDA guidance suggests three ways to demonstrate equivalency: 1. Time-based: Provide 180 instructional days (matching public school calendars) 2. Curriculum-based: Use comprehensive instructional materials 3. Results-based: Demonstrate grade-level performance

Most families satisfy this requirement by operating for 180 days and providing organized instruction across core subjects. The law doesn't specify those subjects—you determine what your children need to learn.

Non-Accredited Private School Status: Indiana classifies homeschools as "nonpublic, non-accredited schools with less than one employee" (IC 20-32-4-4.1). This classification exempts you from public school curriculum requirements while still recognizing your homeschool as a legitimate educational institution.

How to Start Homeschooling in Indiana

What Indiana Requires—and Doesn't Require

The short list of requirements: - 180 instructional days per academic year (July 1 - June 30) - Instruction must be conducted in English - Keep attendance records available upon request - Provide "equivalent education" (undefined by law)

What Indiana explicitly does NOT require: - State registration or notification - Curriculum approval or specific subjects - Standardized testing or assessments - Teacher qualifications or credentials - Home inspections or portfolio reviews - Following Indiana Academic Standards

The Indiana Department of Education offers voluntary enrollment reporting through their website. School districts may request this form, but submission is optional. You are not required to fill out any forms provided by your school district.

Record-Keeping Requirements

Indiana law requires only attendance records, and only upon request from the state superintendent or local superintendent (IC 20-33-2-20).

What to Track: - Dates of instruction (document your 180 days) - No specific format required—a simple calendar or spreadsheet works

Recommended (Not Required): While not legally mandated, keeping additional records protects you and serves practical purposes: - Curriculum descriptions and materials used - Work samples across subjects - Test results (if you choose to administer any) - Course descriptions for high school (essential for transcripts)

Keep records for at least two years. For high school students, maintain permanent records for college applications and employment verification.

If a superintendent requests attendance records, you're required to provide them. However, they cannot request curriculum details, student work samples, or anything beyond attendance verification.

Financial Benefits for Indiana Homeschoolers

Private School/Homeschool Tax Deduction: Indiana offers a tax deduction of up to $1,000 per student for educational expenses. This applies to curriculum, software, textbooks, and other instructional materials. The deduction reduces taxable income—actual tax savings depend on your tax bracket.

Indiana ESA (INESA) for Special Needs: The Indiana Education Scholarship Account provides substantial funding for students with disabilities: - Students with disabilities: Up to $20,000 annually - Siblings without disabilities: Up to $8,000 annually

To qualify: - Student must have an IEP from public school or service plan from private school - Household income below 400% of free/reduced lunch threshold (~$222,000 for family of 4)

INESA funds cover curriculum, tutoring, therapies, testing fees, educational technology, transportation (up to $750), and more. Funds are managed through ClassWallet—no direct reimbursements.

Important INESA Distinction: Accepting INESA means your student is no longer considered an independent homeschooler—you sign a state contract and must participate in statewide assessments. Consider this trade-off carefully.

Choice Scholarship Program: Indiana's voucher program provides scholarships for private school tuition. As of 2026-2027, the program is becoming universal (no income limits). However, this program is for private school enrollment only—not homeschooling.

Sports and Extracurricular Access

Indiana does not guarantee homeschool access to public school athletics or extracurriculars. There's no state law establishing this right, leaving decisions to individual school districts.

IHSAA (Indiana High School Athletic Association) Requirements: For homeschool students who can access sports through their local district: - Must have been homeschooled for the previous 3 consecutive years - Must complete statewide examinations - Must enroll for at least one class per day at the participating school - Must submit grade information to the school

Reality Check: Many districts don't offer homeschool sports access at all. If athletics are important to your family, check with your specific district before assuming participation is possible.

Alternatives: Most Indiana homeschool families find sports opportunities through: - Community sports leagues - Church athletic programs - Homeschool sports organizations - Private clubs and traveling teams

Organizations like IAHE (Indiana Association of Home Educators) can connect you with homeschool-specific athletic programs in your area.

Essential Records to Maintain

High School, Graduation & Beyond

Parent-Issued Diplomas: Indiana homeschool parents create and issue their own diplomas. The state doesn't provide a homeschool diploma. Recent legislation (HEA 1348, 2025) explicitly recognizes homeschool diplomas as meeting state high school completion requirements—state agencies and colleges cannot reject students solely for having a parent-issued diploma.

Creating Transcripts: Build a comprehensive transcript documenting: - Courses taken each year with grades - Credit hours (typically 120 hours = 1 credit) - Cumulative GPA - Graduation date

Format your transcript professionally with your homeschool name, address, and contact information. Include a course description addendum for unique courses.

College Preparation: Indiana colleges welcome homeschool applicants. IU Indianapolis reports that homeschooled students through their SPAN program are "by far their top academic achievers." Key elements for applications: - Parent-created transcript (IU accepts parent signatures as "official") - SAT or ACT scores - Letters of recommendation from non-family members - Documentation of extracurricular activities

High School Equivalency (HSE): Students 16 and older can pursue a GED as an alternative to completing high school. This may suit students pursuing immediate workforce entry or alternative pathways.

Special Needs Homeschooling

Indiana places no additional requirements on families homeschooling children with special needs. You follow the same simple framework: 180 days, instruction in English, attendance records.

IEP to ISP Transition: When you withdraw from public school, your child's IEP (Individualized Education Program) may convert to an ISP (Individualized Service Plan). Some districts offer services to homeschoolers; availability and quality vary significantly.

INESA Program: The Indiana Education Scholarship Account provides up to $20,000 annually for students with disabilities. Funds cover therapies, specialized curriculum, tutoring, and educational services. This represents one of the most generous special needs programs in the nation.

Trade-offs: Accepting INESA means signing a state contract and participating in statewide assessments—you're no longer fully independent. For many families, the funding justifies this trade-off; others prefer complete independence with the standard homeschool approach.

Resources: IAHE (Indiana Association of Home Educators) provides special needs resources and community connections for homeschool families.

Work Permits and Driver's Licenses

Work Permits: As of April 2020, Indiana homeschoolers do NOT need work permits for employment. This simplifies the process for working teens.

Driver's License: - Learner's Permit: Age 15 with driver's education, or 16 without - Driver's License: Age 16 + 90 days (with driver's ed) or 16 + 270 days (without)

Critical Note: For high school students, the withdrawal form is essential for driver's license eligibility. Without signing the "Withdrawal to Non-Accredited Non-public School" form, your student is classified as a dropout, triggering automatic license/permit revocation or denial until age 18.

This form is about preventing dropout classification—not registering your homeschool. Make sure to complete it when withdrawing any high school student.

The Bottom Line

Indiana offers homeschool families remarkable simplicity: no registration, no notification, no curriculum approval, no testing. Provide 180 days of instruction in English, keep attendance records, and you've met your legal obligations.

The $1,000 tax deduction helps offset curriculum costs, and the INESA program provides substantial funding for families with special needs students. Combined with recent legislation recognizing homeschool diplomas at state agencies and colleges, Indiana actively supports home education.

Your first step: if you're withdrawing a high school student, sign the official withdrawal form to prevent dropout classification. Otherwise, simply begin—no permission needed.