The state says. •Teach at least four hours a day.•Teach on 180 days each school year.•This is the rule for an independent home school.•An umbrella school sets its own rules.

You do. 1.Log each day you teach.2.At the end of each school year, send the record to the head of your school district.•Usually the district's home school coordinator collects it.•The district may ask to see it at any time.

The state says. •There are three ways to teach at home.•An independent home school: you file with your school district.•A church-related umbrella school: your child enrolls there, and you teach at home.•An accredited online school: the state counts it as a private school, not a home school.

You do. •Pick one way.•The steps here walk the independent home school.•On the umbrella route, the umbrella school tells you its rules.

Where. Step 1 of Do the steps

The state says. •Ages 6 through 17.•A child stays in this range until turning 18.

You do. Check that each child aged 6 through 17 is enrolled in a school or registered in your home school.

The state says. •Yes, every year, on the independent route.•You send a form to your school district.•It is called the Intent to Home School Form.•The first time, you can file at any time of year.•After that, file again before each school year starts.•On the umbrella route, you do not file this form.

You do. 1.List every child you will teach on the form.2.Add a copy of your high school diploma or equivalency.3.If you are a legal guardian, add proof of guardianship.4.Send them to your district's home school coordinator.5.Keep a copy.•Some districts ask for their own online form instead.

Where. Step 1 of Do the steps

The state says. •The parent who teaches has a high school diploma.•Or a high school equivalency the state board approves, such as a GED or HiSET.•A tutor you hire needs the same.•A tutor does not take the place of the parent's own diploma.•On the umbrella route, the umbrella school sets the rules.•For grades 9 to 12, it may ask for a diploma.

You do. 1.Send proof of your diploma or equivalency with your form.2.If you mail the form, attach a copy.3.If you hand it in, bring the paper so the staff can check it.

Where. Step 1 of Do the steps

The state says. •The home school law does not name any subjects you must teach.•You tell the district which curriculum you will use.•The test you pick in grades 5, 7 and 9 must report on English language arts and math.

You do. •Choose what to teach.•The Academic Planner shows what colleges expect.

The state says. •On the independent route, your child takes a test in grades 5, 7 and 9.•You pick one of two tests.•A nationally normed test you choose and pay for. That is a test that compares your child with children across the country.•It must report on English language arts and math.•A person not related to your child must give it.•Or the state test that public school students in that grade take. It is free at your local public school.•For grade 9, the state test is not offered now. So grade 9 uses a test you choose.•All results go to you, your school district and the state board of education.•Since May 1, 2026, no score leads to a required plan or a move to a school.

You do. 1.Plan a test in grades 5, 7 and 9 only.2.Make sure the results reach your school district and the state board of education.•The rules do not say who sends them. Ask your district's home school coordinator.3.

The state says. •The state's school shot law does not cover a home school.•You do not need proof of shots to register.•Each year the state gives home schools facts about meningococcal disease, an illness that can cause meningitis.•The state posts these facts on its home school page.

You do. •Nothing to file for shots to homeschool.•Your child needs a shot record or an exemption to join a school or child care.•A public college may ask for one before your child lives on campus.