Homeschooling in Indiana

Indiana is one of the most homeschool-friendly states in the country. The state classifies homeschools as 'non-accredited non-public schools' (IC 20-33-2-12) — a legal distinction that exempts you from public school curriculum requirements while recognizing your homeschool as a legitimate private educational institution. There is no notification required, no testing, no curriculum approval, and no parent qualifications. The 1904 case State v. Peterman established that no credentials are needed to teach your own children, and that precedent has never been challenged.

Legal framework at a glance

Legal options: One pathway — Non-Accredited Non-Public School (homeschool) under IC 20-33-2-4 and IC 20-33-2-6. An accredited non-public school pathway exists under IC 20-19-2 but is impractical for individual families..

Notification: No notification required to begin homeschooling. Indiana is a 'no notice' state..

Instructional time: 180 days per year (the academic year runs July 1 through June 30). Days the student was enrolled in a public or accredited school count toward the 180 days. No minimum daily hours specified by statute..

Required subjects: Indiana classifies homeschools as 'non-accredited non-public schools' and exempts them from public school curriculum requirements (IC 20-33-2-12). The compulsory attendance statute (IC 20-33-2-28) requires 'equivalent instruction' to public schools, generally interpreted as covering language arts, mathematics, social studies/history, science, and health. Instruction must be in English..

Testing and evaluation: No state-mandated testing. Indiana homeschool students may NOT participate in statewide testing (ILEARN, ISTEP) unless enrolled in at least one class at a public or accredited school..

What Indiana families need to know

No notification required: Indiana is a 'no notice' state — you do NOT need to inform the Indiana Department of Education, your local school district, or any government agency before beginning to homeschool. There is no homeschool permit, license, or registration. The IDOE provides a voluntary enrollment form, and filing it is recommended to create a paper trail (it can prevent truancy inquiries), but it is not legally required.

**HIGH SCHOOL WITHDRAWAL FORM** (IC 20-33-2-28.6): if your child is in grades 9-12 and is currently enrolled in a public school, you MUST sign the 'Withdrawal to Non-Accredited Non-public School Located in Indiana' form when withdrawing. THIS IS NOT A REGISTRATION FORM — it simply allows the high school to remove the student from the graduation cohort rather than classifying them as a dropout. If you refuse to sign this form, the school is legally required to classify your child as a dropout and notify the BMV, which triggers automatic revocation of the student's driver's license or permit until age 18. SIGN THE FORM.

180 days of instruction: Indiana's academic year runs July 1 through June 30. You must provide 180 instructional days within this period. As the 'head of the home school,' you determine the daily hours, schedule, and methods. Days the student was previously enrolled in a public or accredited school count toward the 180 days for that academic year. Keep a simple attendance log.

State v. Peterman (1904): the foundational Indiana Supreme Court case establishing that parents may direct their children's education at home. The court held that a 'school' need not be a public institution and that homeschooling satisfies compulsory attendance requirements. This precedent has never been overturned and forms the legal basis for Indiana's hands-off approach.

$1,000 tax deduction: Indiana offers a Private School/Homeschool Tax Deduction of $1,000 per child per year on state income taxes for educational expenses. Available to families with children in K-12 enrolled in either a private school or homeschool.

Indiana Education Scholarship Account (ESA): under IC 20-51.4, qualifying students with disabilities may receive up to $20,000 per year for educational expenses, with $8,000 for siblings. This is one of the most generous special needs ESA programs in the country. Funds may be used for therapies, specialized curriculum, tutoring, and other educational services.

Sports access (IC 20-33-2-28.7): Indiana law gives homeschool students the right to participate in IHSAA-sanctioned sports at their resident public school, as long as they meet the same eligibility requirements (residency, age, academic progress, conduct) as enrolled students. Participation in elementary/junior high athletics is at the discretion of the local district.

Work permits ELIMINATED (April 2020): Indiana eliminated work permit requirements in April 2020. Homeschool students no longer need work permits for employment.

Driver's license eligibility: Indiana ties driver's license/permit eligibility to school enrollment status. Homeschool high school students can earn their license at age 16 + 90 days (with driver's ed) or 16 + 270 days (without). The withdrawal form is critical — without it, the dropout classification triggers automatic license revocation.

Special education: Indiana homeschool students lose direct access to public school special education services upon withdrawal. However, public schools are required to evaluate any student with disabilities residing in the district regardless of enrollment status. Some districts offer limited services to non-enrolled students at their discretion.

Compulsory attendance: ages 7 through 18 (note: Indiana's compulsory age starts at 7, not 6 like most states — parents may begin homeschooling earlier voluntarily).

Always verify current requirements with the Indiana Department of Education before filing any official paperwork. State rules can change.

Diploma recognition

Indiana homeschools are non-accredited non-public schools, so graduation requirements set by the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) do NOT apply, and homeschool students do NOT receive an SBOE-accredited diploma. Parents issue their own homeschool diplomas, which are recognized by Indiana colleges (IU, Purdue, Ball State) and most employers based on transcript review. Strong ACT/SAT scores (27+ for competitive programs) and a clear, well-documented transcript are the main admission factors. Students who specifically need a state-accredited diploma may take the High School Equivalency (HSE) exam, administered by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

Getting started in Indiana

If you are new to homeschooling in Indiana, here is the practical sequence to follow:

1. Read the statute. Visit the Indiana Department of Education website and read the current homeschool regulations in full. The summary on this page is a starting point, but the official statute is the final authority.
2. Choose your legal pathway. Indiana offers specific options described above. Choose the one that fits your family before you file anything.
3. Prepare your notification. Gather the information required for your notice or registration — child's name, date of birth, address, subjects, curriculum plans, and anything else your chosen pathway requires.
4. File before withdrawing. If your child is currently in public school, file your homeschool notification before you send the withdrawal letter to the school. See our withdrawal guide for the full process.
5. Set up your record-keeping system. Even in low-regulation states, keep attendance records, a list of curriculum used, and samples of your child's work. See our record-keeping guide for what to save and how.
6. Connect with a local homeschool organization. Indiana has active statewide homeschool organizations (listed below) and usually several local co-ops in each region. These are your best source of current, practical information.

Indiana homeschool organizations

The following organizations provide advocacy, support, and current information for Indiana homeschool families:

• Indiana Association of Home Educators (IAHE) — Largest statewide Christian organization with annual convention — iahe.net
• Indiana Foundation for Home Schooling Families — Inclusive statewide foundation
• HSLDA Indiana — Legal defense and member support

Local homeschool co-ops often meet in libraries, churches, and community centers throughout the state. A search for "Indiana homeschool co-op [your city]" typically surfaces groups meeting near you. The statewide organizations listed above maintain co-op directories.

Beyond the legal requirements

Meeting Indiana's legal requirements is only the foundation. The day-to-day work of homeschooling — choosing a curriculum, teaching multiple children at different levels, building a transcript — is the larger task. Once your legal compliance is in order, explore the rest of this site:

Homeschool360 • Indiana State Guide