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Indiana Homeschool Information

—Homeschool In Indiana—

Homeschooling in Indiana

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Find Out What the State Says About Home Education

Indiana School Choice

Click above for general information on the school choice.

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Indiana Department of Education

Click above for the state Education Information.

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Indiana Homeschool

Indiana Homeschooling Checklist

  • ✔️ Age Requirement

    • Begin homeschooling between ages 7–16.

  • ✔️ Notification

    • No registration or approval required.

    • If withdrawing from public school, send a withdrawal letter to avoid truancy concerns.

  • ✔️ Parent Qualifications

    • No teaching credentials needed.

  • ✔️ Curriculum

    • Teach core subjects typically taught in public schools:

      • Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies

    • You decide the methods and materials.

  • ✔️ Testing / Assessment

    • No testing or assessments required by the state.

    • Students may take the GED (age 18 or earlier with approval).

  • ✔️ Records

    • Not required, but strongly recommended to keep:

      • Attendance logs

      • Course descriptions

      • Samples of work

      • Grades/transcripts (for college/military)

  • ✔️ Graduation

    • Parents issue their own diplomas and create transcripts.

    • Idaho does not issue homeschool diplomas.

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    • ✔️ Dual Enrollment

      • Homeschoolers can dual enroll in public school for:

        • Individual classes

        • Sports and extracurricular activities

      • May require academic records or assessment

    • ✔️ Special Needs

      • Special education services not mandated for homeschoolers.

      • Some services may be available at parent’s expense or through local schools.

    Enrolling In A Private Accredited Online School Changes Things Somewhat

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    ⚠️ Key Distinction:

    Who holds the legal responsibility for educating the child?
    If it’s you, you’re homeschooling. If it’s the online school, you’re enrolled in private school at home.

    Indiana Example

    In Indiana, enrolling in a private accredited online school can change your homeschooling status in important ways — depending on whether:

    • You are using it as supplemental curriculum while still operating as a homeschool, or
    • You are fully enrolled in the online school, and it assumes instructional and record-keeping responsibility.

      Here’s the breakdown:

      ✅ If You’re Fully Enrolled in an Accredited Online Private School:

      • You are not considered a homeschooler under Indiana law.

      • The online school is now viewed as your child’s nonpublic private school, even if your child is learning from home.

      • Attendance, records, curriculum, and transcripts are managed by the school.

      • You generally don’t need to track 180 days or maintain your own attendance records—the school handles it.

      • No notice to the state is required unless you’re withdrawing from a public school, in which case you should notify the district.

      Benefit: You get structure, official records, and a diploma from an accredited provider, which can ease transitions to college or back into public school.

      🏡 If You’re Still Operating as a Homeschool:

      • If you use the online school only as curriculum and retain responsibility for instruction, record-keeping, and oversight:

        • You’re still legally homeschooling.

        • You must still track 180 days and keep attendance records.

        • No accreditation status of the curriculum changes your legal responsibilities.

       

      Indiana K-12 School Choice

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      • Eligibility
        Open to homeschoolers, public school students, and current voucher recipients—but families must choose between ESA or voucher, not both

      • Future prospects
        A 2025 bill (Senate Bill 255) proposes merging ESAs and vouchers into a single universal grant system, removing income caps and covering a broader range of educational expenses

      🏠 3. Homeschooling and Private School Tax Benefits

      • Tax deduction for educational expenses
        Indiana allows a $1,000 state tax deduction per child for homeschooling or private school costs

      • Tax Credit Scholarships via SGOs
        Through Scholarship Granting Organizations, individuals/corporations donating to fund scholarships receive a 50% tax credit, capped at about $18.5 million annually

       

      Indiana School Choice Summary

      Indiana offers a robust and growing school-choice ecosystem with several programs designed to help families access private schools, and—even to some extent—homeschooling. Here’s a detailed look:

      🏫 1. Indiana Choice Scholarship (Voucher) Program

      • What it is
        A statewide K–12 voucher initiative launched in 2011 that allows eligible families to use public education funds toward tuition at participating private schools

      • Who’s eligible?
        Since June 29, 2023, nearly all households earning up to 400% of the federal free/reduced-price lunch cutoff qualify—approximately up to $220,000 for a family of four

      • Funding amount
        Vouchers cover up to 90% of state per-pupil funding, typically around $6,200 on average (with private school tuition averaging about $7,700) .

      • Scope & impact

        • Current enrollment is over 70,000 students, with 32% growth in 2023–24

        • State spent $439 million in 2023–24 ($311 million prior year), though vouchers cost less per-student than public school funding

        • Participation is no longer limited to low-income families; wealthier families now make up a significant portion .

      • Controversy
        Critics argue that the expansion has shifted public resources to families who could already afford private schools, thereby depleting funding from public education

      💡 2. Education Scholarship Accounts (ESAs)

      • What it is
        A separate ESA, originally for special education students, distributed via INESA grants to pay for various educational services—including private school tuition, therapy, tutoring, and homeschool resource

        Homeschool Resources for Indiana

        Homeschooling has been part of education for centuries. In earlier times, it was simple to begin without worrying about rules or oversight. Today, however, homeschooling regulations vary by state, and some families may find it more challenging to get started. That’s why NFC Academy provides helpful state-specific pages outlining homeschool laws—to guide and support you as you begin your journey.

        In areas with stricter requirements, having reliable support is important. Organizations like the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) offer valuable legal guidance and protection, helping families stay informed and confident. With the right tools and resources, homeschooling can be a rewarding and manageable experience, no matter where you live.

        Homeschool Legal Defense Association

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        Information on this page is intended for informational purposes for homeschool families in the specific state. The information supplied does not, nor is it intended to, provide specific legal advice. For specific legal advice, we recommend you consult an attorney.  Membership with Homeschool Legal Defense may provide legal information for your situation, but you may prefer a local private attorney to review your situation to provide specific legal advice. The information provided was assisted in writing by AI.