Kentucky Homeschool Information
—Homeschool In Kentucky—
Homeschooling in Kentucky
Find Out What the State Says About Home Education
Kentuckuy Department of Education
Click above for the state Education Information.
Kentucky Homeschool Review
📋 1. Basis & Legal Classification
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Homeschools are considered non‑public (private) schools under Kentucky law and as such must comply with the non‑public school statutes rather than having a separate homeschool law
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Parents have a constitutional right to choose their child’s education setting .
🧒 2. Mandatory School Age
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Children must be in school from ages 6 to 18.
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If a child turns 6 by August 1, they must be enrolled that year; children turning 5 by August 1 are eligible for primary school
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📝 3. Annual Notice of Intent
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Parents must notify the local school superintendent in writing each year of their intent to homeschool.
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Notify within 10 days of the school year starting (or within two weeks based on public district calendars).
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Include names, ages, addresses of the students, the homeschool’s chosen name, and address
⏱️ 4. Attendance & Instructional Time
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You’re required to provide at least 1,062 hours of instruction spread over at least 170 days annually (or 185 days if your district follows a year‑round calendar)
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Instruction must be for at least as long as the local public school’s term
📚 5. Required Subjects
Homeschools must offer instruction in English, covering the following:
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Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar
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Mathematics, Science, History, Civics
Additional subjects are allowed at your discretion.
🗃️ 6. Recordkeeping & Progress Reporting
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Keep attendance records and “scholarship reports” (i.e. progress or report‑card style updates) on the same schedule as your local public school (typically every 6–9 weeks)
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Maintain a portfolio of work samples, course records, and grades each year
🧪 7. Testing & Immunizations
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No mandatory standardized testing or evaluations are required by the state
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Immunizations are not required for home instruction unless the child participates in public school activities or attends classes there .
.🎓 8. Graduation & Credits
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Kentucky does not issue formal high school diplomas for homeschoolers.
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You may design your own graduation criteria and issue diplomas yourself
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Students can transition into public high school; placement and credit recognition are determined based on exams or performance.
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Homeschool credentials may qualify students for college financial aid.
🤝 9. Extracurricular Activities & Special Situations
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Participation in public school extracurriculars (like sports) is at the discretion of local school districts.
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“No Pass/No Drive” rules (affecting teen drivers) apply similarly to homeschoolers
Enrolling In A Private Accredited Online School Changes Things Somewhat
⚖️ What Stays the Same
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Basic legal structure stays the same:
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You still operate under Kansas NAPS rules,
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Compulsory attendance and teacher competence laws don’t change.
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No state testing or curriculum mandates:
Kansas doesn’t require state exams or specific subjects—regardless of whether you’re in an accredited program -
Oversight remains minimal unless there’s concern:
Kansas doesn’t perform routine audits or visits—even accredited homeschoolers won’t see them unless there’s cause
In Kentucky If You Enroll In An Accredited Private Online Homeschool
Yes, enrolling your child in a private accredited online school can change your obligations under Kentucky homeschool law — here’s how:
✅ If the Online School Is Based In Kentucky and Accredited:
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You’re likely still considered a private school under Kentucky law, which means you must still follow the same homeschool requirements (e.g., notice of intent, attendance records, subjects, etc.).
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Kentucky does not have a separate legal status for “virtual schooling,” so even if it’s accredited, if you’re directing education at home, you’re still treated as a homeschooler in most cases.
✅ If the Online School Is an Accredited Out-of-State Private School:
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You may not be classified as a homeschooler under Kentucky law if:
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The school is fully in charge of curriculum, instruction, grading, and recordkeeping.
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The student is enrolled full-time, and parents are acting more like facilitators than teachers.
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In that case:
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You may not need to file a notice of intent or follow Kentucky homeschool-specific regulations.
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However, some local districts may still request notice or records, especially if the student transfers back into public school.
🏫 1. What NFC Academy Is
NFC Academy is a private, regionally accredited online K–12 school, accredited by Cognia, Middle States, and others. It offers both parent-led and teacher-led options, handles grading, attendance, report cards, transcripts, and issues diplomas—including NCAA-approved high school courses
⚖️ 2. Kentucky Law: Private vs Homeschool
In Kentucky:
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Homeschools are legally considered non-public (private) schools, regulated under KRS §159 and related statutes
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Families operating a bona fide private school (like NFC Academy) that controls curriculum, grading, record‑keeping, attendance, and diplomas may not be considered homeschools for regulatory purposes .
That means a student fully enrolled in NFC Academy may be treated similarly to a private school student, not a homeschooler.
✅ Bottom Line
Enrolling full-time in NFC Academy as a private accredited school means:
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You likely no longer need to file a homeschooling intent, keep your own daily attendance, or follow homeschool-specific statutes.
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NFC handles all academic and administrative responsibilities, including issuing diplomas and transcripts that are more easily transferable.
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Always verify with your local superintendent—and confirm your program level (parent-led vs teacher-led) to ensure compliance.
Kentucky K-12 School Choice
✅ Summary
Kentucky offers robust public school options: open enrollment, magnet schools, and specialty programs—including residential early-college models. There is no charter school system, and private-school vouchers or ESAs are unavailable due to constitutional restrictions. Families can also explore online public school, homeschooling, and microschooling as alternative educational paths.
Kentucky School Choice Summary
Here are the school choice options available in Kentucky:
🏫 Public School Options
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Traditional Public Schools: Free, zoned schools operated by local districts.
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Inter‑district & Intra‑district Open Enrollment: Students may attend public schools outside their assigned zones, subject to district policies (some may impose fees or athletic restrictions)
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Magnet Schools & Programs: Thematic public schools focusing on STEM, arts, career academies, language immersion, early college, Montessori, etc. Example: Western MST High, Central High School, and Fayette/Jefferson County magnet options
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Specialized Public Programs: Includes programs like the Craft Academy, a residential dual‑enrollment school for juniors and seniors at Morehead State University en.wikipedia.org.
❌ Charter Schools
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Not available: Kentucky currently has no operational charter schools. Although charters were enabled by law in 2017 and 2022, they were ruled unconstitutional by the courts and attempts to establish them have failed
💸 Private Schools
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Private & Parochial Schools: Available statewide with tuition around $7,200–$8,100/year, but no publicly funded voucher or ESA programs exist
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Unconstitutional Tax‑credit Scholarships/ESAs: Both the 2021 tax-credit ESA program and funding for private or charter schools have been struck down as unconstitutional Voters rejected 2024’s Amendment 2 to allow public funding of non-public education
💻 Non-traditional Options
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Online Public Schools: Kentucky Virtual Academy (statewide, free) and several district-run online programs; private online schools are available for a fee
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Homeschooling: Gaining popularity (5.2% of students). Parents must notify the local district, maintain attendance records and withdraw their child from public school. No standardized testing required .
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Microschools / “Mix‑and‑Match”: Small group, flexible learning settings—often homeschool cooperatives, private micro‑schools, or enrichment pods
Homeschool Resources for Kentucky
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
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.