How to Homeschool in Illinois

Beginning your homeschool journey is an exciting time, and the Prairie State is a great place to do so! 

Illinois’ homeschooling laws allow parents the freedom and flexibility to educate their children as they see fit. Before we get started, please know that it’s important to do your research, as homeschool laws vary by state. Once you’ve taken care of the legal aspects, you’ll be set to start homeschooling in Illinois!

Homeschooling in Illinois at a Glance

Illinois – The Prairie State

Required Age	6-17
Standardized Testing	Not required
Subjects	Language arts, math, biological and physical sciences, social sciences, fine arts, physical education and health
Time Requirements	None
Graduation Requirements	Determined by parent
Special Requirements	Part-time homeschooling option available
Financial Resources Available	No

Parent Qualifications

There are no qualifications that parents must meet to be eligible to homeschool in Illinois. 

Notice of Intent

The Illinois homeschool requirements are straightforward, which makes the process to begin homeschooling in IL simple. If you are planning on pulling your child out of school in order to homeschool, you are not legally required to alert the school district of your choice or formally withdraw them. However, it is a good idea to do so to prevent any issues regarding truancy.

Attendance

To be a full-time homeschooler, there are no minimum requirements for the amount of time you must teach.

Part-Time Homeschooling in Illinois

For parents who aren’t sure that full-time homeschooling is for them, Illinois offers the unique opportunity of part-time homeschooling. This arrangement allows students to attend a public or private school for part of the week and receive homeschooling for the remainder. This option provides the flexibility for parents and students to customize the educational experience to their needs, interests, and schedules.

This program also may allow homeschooled students to participate in extracurricular activities, such as clubs and sports. 

If you are interested in pursuing this option, you must submit a request to the school’s principal by May 1st for the following year.

Homeschool Curriculum

The following subjects are a requirement for all Illinois homeschoolers: 

1. Language Arts
2. Math
3. Biological and Physical Sciences
4. Social Sciences
5. Fine Arts
6. Physical Education and Health

Illinois also requires that parents teach in English. 

Testing

Testing of any form is not a requirement for Illinois homeschoolers. It is up to the parent to decide if they would like to test their child or not. 

For parents who opt in to testing, students may take the Illinois state exams at the local public school for free. Alternatively, parents may also purchase a nationally normed test from a third-party service online.

Record Keeping

Illinois does not require any form of record keeping, but it’s still a good idea to keep some records on hand. They are incredibly helpful when it comes to tracking your student’s academic progress, and they can also be useful if your student plans on applying to college in the future.

Some good records to keep include:

• Work samples
• Attendance logs
• Report cards/progress reports
• Any standardized testing results

Graduation Requirements

The Illinois homeschool graduation requirements are determined individually by homeschool parents. Parents have full control over their child’s graduation and can provide their own high school diploma.

However, it can be difficult to know when your child is ready to graduate without required guidelines. Many parents find it helpful to look at the Illinois State Board of Education’s graduation requirements for public schools. 

Financial Resources

Unfortunately, there are no state financial resources available for homeschoolers at this time.

Other Tips & Resources

For more information about homeschooling in Illinois, check out: 

• Homeschooling – Illinois Department of Education
• Illinois Homeschool Association

If you have any questions about homeschooling or how Miacademy and MiaPrep align with the laws in your state, feel free to reach out to our friendly customer service team!