Your state guide · 2026
Kentucky homeschool laws
Last verified · View official sources
The short answer
Kentucky treats a homeschool as a private school.
Editorial category; see the guide.
Within the first two weeks of the school year, or within two weeks of withdrawing the child from public school. It must be sent again every year.
See requirements for options and exceptions.
See the full guide for age exceptions.
Regulation level
L · LowView regulation data
| State | Category |
|---|---|
| Kentucky | Low |
Your requirements
A practical checklist
“Not specified” means a single yes/no requirement is not explicit in the supplied information. Read each detail for options and exceptions.
Notice
RequiredA letter of intent listing the name, age and home address of each child in the homeschool. The state education department's sample letter also gives the school's name, the teaching parents and the school address. Districts must accept it.
Subjects
RequiredNot specified in state law for homeschools that are not state-certified. Parents choose the curriculum and materials.
Hours / days
Not specifiedNot specified in state law for non-certified homeschools. Certified private schools must meet the public school term (1,062 hours over at least 170 days), and the state education department recommends that all homeschools do the same.
Testing / evaluation
Not specifiedNot specified in state law
Teacher qualifications
Not specifiedNone. The state education department says it may not require teacher certification for homeschools.
Records / portfolio
RequiredKeep attendance records and scholarship reports (courses completed and grades earned). The law calls for a state-provided attendance register, but the state education department accepts any paper or digital record. Records must be open to inspection by the district's director of pupil personnel and state education officials.
Immunizations
Not specifiedNot specified in state law
At a glance
- A homeschool is a private school in Kentucky
- Notify the local superintendent every year, within two weeks of the school year starting
- No required subjects, testing or teacher certification
- Keep attendance and grade records open to inspection
- Sports access is up to each district
Requirements at a glance
Read the details for your chosen homeschooling option below.
Open the full requirements table
| Requirement | What to know |
|---|---|
| Compulsory school ages | 6–16 |
| Notice required | Yes |
| Filing deadline | Within the first two weeks of the school year, or within two weeks of withdrawing the child from public school. It must be sent again every year. |
| Required subjects | Not specified in state law for homeschools that are not state-certified. Parents choose the curriculum and materials. |
| Instruction time | Not specified in state law for non-certified homeschools. Certified private schools must meet the public school term (1,062 hours over at least 170 days), and the state education department recommends that all homeschools do the same. |
| Parent qualifications | None. The state education department says it may not require teacher certification for homeschools. |
| Tests & assessments | Not specified in state law |
| Records to keep | Keep attendance records and scholarship reports (courses completed and grades earned). The law calls for a state-provided attendance register, but the state education department accepts any paper or digital record. Records must be open to inspection by the district's director of pupil personnel and state education officials. |
| Immunizations | Not specified in state law |
How to start homeschooling in Kentucky
Parents set up a named school and notify the local superintendent every year within two weeks of the school year starting, or within two weeks of withdrawing a child from public school. The state cannot set curriculum, teacher certification or accreditation rules for homeschools, and no testing is required. Families keep attendance records and scholarship (grade) reports that district attendance officers and the state may inspect.
Choose your homeschooling option
Homeschool as a private school. A family sets up and names its own private school under KRS 159.030, teaches its own children, and files the yearly notice with the superintendent.
Prepare your notice
A letter of intent listing the name, age and home address of each child in the homeschool. The state education department's sample letter also gives the school's name, the teaching parents and the school address. Districts must accept it.
Open the official notice resource ↗Check when and where to file
When: Within the first two weeks of the school year, or within two weeks of withdrawing the child from public school. It must be sent again every year.
Where: The superintendent of the local school district where the family lives.
View steps as a table
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Choose your homeschooling option | Homeschool as a private school. A family sets up and names its own private school under KRS 159.030, teaches its own children, and files the yearly notice with the superintendent. |
| 2. Prepare your notice | A letter of intent listing the name, age and home address of each child in the homeschool. The state education department's sample letter also gives the school's name, the teaching parents and the school address. Districts must accept it. |
| 3. Check when and where to file | Within the first two weeks of the school year, or within two weeks of withdrawing the child from public school. It must be sent again every year. The superintendent of the local school district where the family lives. |
Subjects to teach
- Not specified in state law for homeschools that are not state-certified. Parents choose the curriculum and materials.
Sports & extracurricular activities
Not specified in state law. The state education department says each local school district decides whether homeschool students can join its extracurricular activities.
Official forms & law
Kentucky Department of Education ↗
Forms & guidance
Statutes
Questions, answered.
What do I file to homeschool in Kentucky?
A letter of intent listing the name, age and home address of each child in the homeschool. The state education department's sample letter also gives the school's name, the teaching parents and the school address. Districts must accept it.
When do I file in Kentucky?
Within the first two weeks of the school year, or within two weeks of withdrawing the child from public school. It must be sent again every year.
What assessments are required in Kentucky?
Not specified in state law
Check the original
Sources and last checked
- KRS 159.010 ↗Kentucky General Assembly, Legislative Research Commission
- KRS 159.030 ↗Kentucky General Assembly, Legislative Research Commission
- KRS 159.040 ↗Kentucky General Assembly, Legislative Research Commission
- KRS 159.160 ↗Kentucky General Assembly, Legislative Research Commission
- Homeschool ↗Kentucky Department of Education
- Homeschool Information Packet (May 2026) ↗Kentucky Department of Education
Last verified .