Homeschooling in Kentucky: Laws & Requirements (2026)

Kentucky takes a hands-off approach to homeschooling. The state has no dedicated homeschool statute—instead, families operate under the private school law, which grants considerable freedom with minimal oversight. No standardized testing, no curriculum approval, no portfolio reviews.

What Kentucky does require is straightforward: notify your local board of education annually, teach specific subjects in English, and maintain attendance records. The 1,062-hour instructional requirement sounds substantial, but it translates to roughly 6.25 hours across 170 days—achievable for most families without rigid scheduling.

This guide walks through Kentucky's requirements, the notification process, and practical steps for getting started. For parents leaving public school or relocating from higher-regulation states, Kentucky's framework offers welcome simplicity.

Kentucky Homeschool Requirements at a Glance

Understanding Kentucky's Private School Framework

Kentucky doesn't distinguish between homeschools and private schools in its statutes. Your home operates as a private school under KRS 159.040, which means you're not asking permission to homeschool—you're establishing a private school with an enrollment of your own children.

What this means practically: You have the same legal standing as any private school in Kentucky. The state doesn't approve curriculum, evaluate teaching methods, or test students. You decide what to teach, how to teach it, and how to assess progress.

The notification requirement is about accountability, not approval. By informing your local board of education, you're documenting that your children are receiving instruction—not requesting permission to provide it. Keep a copy of your notification for your records.

Scholarship reports (essentially report cards) must be maintained in a manner "similar" to public schools—typically updated every six to nine weeks. The format is up to you, but having periodic assessments on record demonstrates ongoing educational progress.

Required Subjects in Kentucky

Kentucky law specifies subjects that must be included in your homeschool curriculum. All instruction must be provided in English^[1].

Required subjects: - Reading - Writing - Spelling - Grammar - History - Mathematics - Science - Civics

What's not specified: Kentucky doesn't mandate how you teach these subjects, what materials you use, or in what order you cover them. A unit study approach that weaves multiple subjects together works as well as a traditional textbook approach.

Practical interpretation: Most comprehensive homeschool curricula—whether packaged programs, classical education, Charlotte Mason, or eclectic approaches—cover these subjects without special adaptation. The requirement describes what areas to address, not how to address them.

High school considerations: Kentucky doesn't prescribe high school course sequences. You determine what courses your student needs for graduation and post-secondary goals. Consider college admission requirements when planning high school curriculum—most universities expect English, math through algebra II, laboratory sciences, social studies, and foreign language.

How to Start Homeschooling in Kentucky

Record-Keeping Requirements

Kentucky requires two types of records: attendance and scholarship reports^[1]. While the state doesn't prescribe formats, maintaining organized documentation protects your family and prepares you for any future transitions.

Attendance records should show dates of instruction and ideally hours logged. You don't submit these unless requested, but having them readily available demonstrates compliance. The 170-day minimum with 1,062 total hours doesn't mandate equal daily hours—some days can be longer, others shorter.

Scholarship reports function like report cards, updated every six to nine weeks based on your local district's schedule. Include subjects covered and progress assessments. Letter grades, narrative evaluations, or competency-based assessments all work.

Beyond legal minimums: Smart record-keeping serves your family regardless of legal requirements. Work samples, reading logs, curriculum documentation, and extracurricular records become invaluable for high school transcripts, college applications, and any future school transitions.

Essential Records to Maintain

High School, Graduation & Beyond

Kentucky homeschool parents issue their own diplomas. There's no state-recognized homeschool diploma or graduation requirements beyond what you establish for your family. This means complete control—and complete responsibility—for defining what graduation means.

Creating transcripts: For college applications, you'll create a comprehensive transcript documenting courses, grades, and credits. Include course descriptions, grading scale, and any standardized test scores. Most Kentucky colleges actively recruit homeschoolers and understand parent-issued transcripts.

College preparation: Kentucky's public universities are homeschool-friendly. The University of Kentucky, for instance, evaluates homeschool applicants based on ACT/SAT scores, transcripts, and essays. Check specific requirements for each institution your student considers.

Dual enrollment: Kentucky community colleges offer dual enrollment opportunities for high school students. Your homeschooler can earn college credits while completing high school—an excellent way to demonstrate academic readiness and reduce future tuition costs.

Work permits: For students seeking employment, Kentucky issues work permits to homeschoolers. Contact your local school district's pupil personnel office for the process.

Sports and Extracurricular Access

Kentucky does not have a "Tim Tebow law" guaranteeing homeschool access to public school sports or extracurricular activities. Participation is at individual district discretion, and most districts don't allow it.

Alternatives matter more: Kentucky's homeschool community offers robust athletic and extracurricular options. Organizations like Christian Homeschool Educators of Kentucky (CHEK) and local groups organize sports leagues, co-ops, and activities. Many families find these homeschool-specific opportunities superior to public school options—better scheduling, values alignment, and community.

Community colleges and YMCA programs often welcome homeschool participants for activities ranging from sports to arts. Private sports leagues and club teams are another avenue.

The practical reality: While public school access would be convenient, Kentucky homeschool families have built excellent alternatives. Don't let this limitation discourage you from homeschooling.

Financial Assistance

Kentucky currently offers no state-funded financial assistance for homeschoolers—no ESAs, vouchers, or tax credits specifically for home education expenses.

Tax considerations: While Kentucky doesn't offer homeschool tax credits, you may be able to claim education expenses on federal returns under certain circumstances. Consult a tax professional about your specific situation.

Budget-friendly homeschooling: Many Kentucky families homeschool effectively on modest budgets. Libraries offer free curriculum resources. Used curriculum exchanges are active statewide. Some umbrella organizations and co-ops share materials. Creative homeschooling doesn't require expensive programs.

Special Situations

Starting mid-year: Kentucky allows you to begin homeschooling at any point during the school year. Submit your notification promptly upon starting—the "first two weeks" requirement applies to your school year, not necessarily the public school calendar.

Moving to Kentucky: If you're relocating from another state, submit your Private School Notice of Attendance to your new local board of education promptly. Kentucky doesn't require documentation from your previous state.

Returning to public school: Students re-enrolling in public school will be placed at grade level based on age and district assessment. Maintain thorough records during homeschooling to facilitate smooth transitions.

Special needs students: Homeschooled students with disabilities may access some services through local school districts. Contact your district's special education department to discuss available options. Services may be limited compared to enrolled students.

Multiple children: List all children on your single notification. Kentucky doesn't require separate filings per child—one Private School Notice covering your "school" suffices.

The Bottom Line

Homeschooling in Kentucky offers substantial freedom within a straightforward framework. Notify your local board annually, maintain attendance and scholarship records, teach required subjects in English, and document 1,062 instructional hours across 170 days. No testing, no curriculum approval, no portfolio reviews.

The private school structure means you're operating a school, not asking permission to educate your children. This legal footing has protected Kentucky homeschool families for decades and continues to provide secure educational freedom.

Your next step: draft your Private School Notice of Attendance and submit it to your local board of education. From there, select curriculum, establish your record-keeping system, and begin the rewarding work of educating your children at home.