Kentucky Laws and Requirements for Homeschool

In Kentucky, homeschooling is recognized as a legitimate alternative to public or private schooling. To ensure compliance with state laws, parents should adhere to the following guidelines:

  1. Annual Notification: Each school year, within the first two weeks of the local public school's start date, parents must submit a written notice of intent to homeschool to the superintendent of their local school district. This notice should include the names, ages, and addresses of the children being homeschooled.

  2. Establish a School Name: When notifying the district superintendent, parents should create a name for their homeschool, as it will be recognized as a bona fide school.

  3. Compulsory Attendance: Children between the ages of 6 and 18 are required to attend school. If a child turns 6 by August 1, they must be enrolled in school that academic year.

  4. Instructional Days and Hours: Parents must ensure that their homeschool operates for at least 1,062 instructional hours over a minimum of 170 days per academic year.

  5. Curriculum Requirements: Instruction should be conducted in English and cover the following subjects:

    • Reading
    • Writing
    • Spelling
    • Grammar
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Science
    • Civics


    • Attendance Records: Documenting the days and hours of instruction.
    • Scholarship Reports: Periodic assessments of the student's progress in each subject, similar to report cards, maintained at the same intervals as the local public schools.

      Recordkeeping: Parents are required to maintain the following records:

  6. Immunization Records: While Kentucky law requires immunizations for students, homeschoolers can claim exemptions for medical or religious reasons. To claim an exemption, families must complete an official exemption form available through their local county health department or the state health department website.

  7. Assessments: Kentucky does not mandate standardized testing for homeschooled students. However, parents may choose to administer assessments to monitor progress.

  8. Re-enrollment in Public School: If a homeschooled student returns to public school, the local district may require assessments to determine appropriate grade placement. It's advisable to maintain detailed records and samples of the student's work to facilitate this process.


Statewide Organizations:

  • Kentucky Secular Homeschoolers Facebook Group

Regional Support Groups and Co-ops:

  • Pennyroyal Area Christian Home Educators of Kentucky (PACHEK)

  • Wellspring Homeschool Community

  • Greater Joy Homeschool Co-op

  • Red House Homeschool Group 

  • River City Field Trips 

 

Kentucky Department of Education