Ohio has had specific laws acknowledging and governing homeschooling since 1989. Fortunately, their restrictions and requirements have evolved toward greater freedom for homeschoolers ever since.
The most recent overhaul of Ohio homeschool law came in October 2023, which means that even many veteran Ohioan homeschoolers may not be up on the latest legal requirements.
Whether you’re new to the state, considering homeschooling, or just need an update, this guide will cover everything you need to know about homeschooling in the Buckeye State.
Option 1:
As of October 2023, Ohio sports a new and improved homeschooling statute that has streamlined the notice requirements and provides much greater freedom for homeschoolers. Parents must notify their local school district superintendent and teach a few required subjects. The superintendent, in turn, releases them from the state’s school attendance requirements. Here are the details.
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The Ohio government provides a handy-dandy recommended form, but you are not required to use their form.
The Ohio government provides a handy-dandy recommended form, but you are not required to use their form.
Your statement of assurance should “assure” the state that you are teaching the legally required subjects, which are:
Of course, in addition to providing assurance, you need to actually obtain a curriculum and teach them as well. But the good news is you have the freedom to do that in the way that you see fit.
Homeschoolers in Ohio are not subject to teacher qualifications, curriculum requirements, number of hours/days of instruction, or assessment requirements when using Option 1.
The home education statute provides that, “If there is evidence that a child exempt under this section is not receiving an education in the subject areas required under this section, then that child may be subject to [an examination for truancy].”
This should not prevent law-abiding homeschoolers from venturing out during the day or enjoying their freedoms from conventional school hours. But it is a good reason to always document your child’s education with work samples, curriculum lists, and the like whether that is required by law or not. (In Ohio, it’s not.)
(Ohio Revised Code §3321.042(F) & §3321.19)
The compulsory school age in Ohio is between 6 and 18 years of age. Each child who is 6 years old on or before the start of school must attend school until they are 18 or have graduated. Most homeschool legal advocacy groups believe that a parent-issued high school diploma should exempt their children from this requirement.
Children under 6 who have already been enrolled in kindergarten are also subject to compulsory attendance.
If you’re curious about what a school year looks like for public school students in Ohio, the law mandates that it, “shall not be for less than thirty-two weeks per school year.”
Option 2:
Prior to October 2023, these schools were called “-08 schools” after the statute that governed them. Since the legal update that created §3301.0732, these schools are referred to as Non-chartered Non-tax supported (Public), or NCNP, schools.
This law is designed for a school that is “not seeking a charter from the department of education and workforce because of truly held religious beliefs,” in other words a sectarian or religious school.
While parents are free to enroll their child in a multi-family religious school in Ohio, they may also homeschool by creating their own NCNP under this statute. Although, there are many more requirements to do so than there are under Option 1.
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The statute mandates that, “[t]eachers and administrators at nonchartered nonpublic schools shall hold at least a bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent, from a recognized college or university.”
Unlike Option 1, instructional hours are required for NCNP schools. They must operate for at least 455 hours for part-time kindergarten, 910 hours for all-day kindergarten through 6th grade, and 1,001 hours for 7th through 12th grade.
NCNP schools “shall comply with all applicable health, fire, and safety laws.”
Ironically, this certification is called the “report to the parents.” So, you are required to report to yourself that, “the school meets minimum education standards for nonchartered nonpublic schools as described in this section.”
And, although you might not feel like you need this reassurance, “a copy of the report shall be filed with the department of education and workforce on or before the thirtieth day of September of each year.”
Subsection C of the statute says that the parents of an NCNP school student shall report that child’s enrollment or withdrawal to the treasurer of the board of education of the local school district. However, “[a]n individual in charge of the nonchartered nonpublic school may, as a matter of convenience, provide the report to the treasurer on behalf of the parents.” Of course, if you’re running your own NCNP school, that will be you, just the same. So much for convenience.
Additionally, “[t]he attendance report shall include the name, age, and place of residence of each pupil below eighteen years of age. The report shall be made within the first two weeks of the beginning of each school year. In the case of pupil withdrawal or entrance during the school year, notice shall be given to the treasurer of the appropriate board of education within the first week of the next school month.” This requirement is similar to, though not completely the same as, the notice requirement in Option 1.
Special Education Services
Ohio homeschoolers with special needs children do not need to follow any additional requirements. However, homeschoolers or students of an NCNP school are not eligible to receive district-funded special education services.
Access to Public School Sports & Extracurricular Activities
Homeschoolers in Ohio can participate in public school extracurricular activities with the same access and requirements that a public school student has. “Extracurricular activities” are considered those run by a school or district that are “not included in a graded course of study.” If your district doesn’t offer the specific activity you want, the superintendent of a different district may allow your child to participate as an out-of-district student. The same fees and athletic ability tests (where applicable) apply to homeschoolers as they do to public school students.
Dual Credit Enrollment
Ohio allows homeschoolers in grades 7 through 12 to earn high school and college credit concurrently at participating colleges and universities through their “College Credit Plus” program. Not only that, but tuition for these dually enrolled students at public colleges is free. Certain participating private colleges may charge modest fees, and families must foot the bill for textbooks.
Ohio High School Diplomas
Parents or guardians in charge of a home education program or an NCNP may issue high school diplomas that include certain state seals and fulfill all the same proof requirements as a diploma issued by a public school or district.
Ohio does not provide public funds for homeschoolers. However, there are tax credits and other programs some homeschoolers may be eligible for.
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