How to Start Homeschooling in Indiana

If you’re wondering how to homeschool in Indiana, you’ve come to the right place! It’s always a good idea to do your research, as homeschool laws vary by state. With lenient laws and available financial support, homeschoolers in Indiana have the ability to study everything they are interested in.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about homeschooling in Indiana, so you can start your home education journey with confidence!

Homeschooling in Indiana at a Glance

Indiana – The Hoosier State

Required Age	7-18
Standardized Testing	Not required
Subjects	None required
Time Requirements	180 days of instruction required
Graduation Requirements	Determined by parent
Special Requirements	N/A
Financial Resources Available	Yes

Parent Qualifications

Indiana does not require any specific qualifications for parents who want to homeschool.

Notice of Intent

Parents must notify the school in some way to prevent their child becoming truant. You can give notice with a phone call, although written communication is beneficial to keep with your homeschool records. 

If you are withdrawing your high school student to homeschool, you must complete the “Withdraw to Non-Accredited Nonpublic School” form. This is necessary to correctly calculate the district drop-out rate at the end of the year. Elementary and middle school students do not have to complete this form. 

Attendance

Homeschool students in Indiana must be in school for a total of 180 days out of the year. The family can decide the school schedule, as long as they meet the total.

Academic years in Indiana begin on July 1 and end on June 30 of the following year. If your child starts the school year at a traditional school before being withdrawn to homeschool, you can count the days they attended the previous school towards the requirement.

There is no requirement for how attendance is taken for homeschoolers, as long as it is taken daily. Indiana law allows education authorities the right to verify attendance records at any time.

Homeschool Curriculum

Indiana state homeschooling laws require that parents provide an “equivalent education” (IC 20-33-2-28) and that all course content must be taught in English. While there is no official definition for what is an “equivalent education”, parents are encouraged to choose subjects that are comparable to public school curricula and that suit their child’s needs.

The Department of Education provides a list of recommended skills, known as the Indiana Academic Standards, for grades K-12. These can be a helpful benchmark to use when choosing a homeschool curriculum in Indiana.

Testing

Indiana homeschool requirements exempt homeschoolers from participating in state standardized testing. However, the Indiana Department of Education strongly recommends periodic standardized testing to assess the progress of homeschooled students.

Some homeschool programs can provide the state standardized tests, or you may be able to request a private testing session.

Record Keeping

State law requires all homeschool families to keep track of daily attendance for all students. There is no specific form for attendance record keeping. As long as you record daily attendance in some way, school officials will be able to verify enrollment and attendance.

Although Indiana homeschool law only requires attendance records, it’s strongly recommended to keep track of academic records too. This will make it easier if your child needs to return to public school or decides to apply for college. Your records might include details such as courses, credit hours, and final grades.

Graduation Requirements

There are no graduation requirements for homeschooled students. It is up to the parent to determine graduation requirements and provide a diploma, if desired. 

Homeschooled students ages 16+ can earn the High School Equivalency (HSE), which is a diploma accredited by the state of Indiana. More information about the HSE is available on the Department of Workforce Development’s Indiana HSE website.

Financial Resources

Indiana families can claim a tax deduction of up to $1,000 per student, using the Private School/ Homeschool Deduction. The deduction covers homeschool education expenses such as software, curricula, and other materials. There is no income limit or enrollment cap to claim this deduction. 

If you choose to donate to an Indiana scholarship granting organization, you can claim a tax credit with the School Scholarship Credit.

Other Tips & Resources

For more information about homeschooling in Indiana, check out: 

• Homeschool Help Sheet from the Indiana Department of Education
• Homeschool Information from the Indiana Department of Education

If you’re wondering whether Miacademy or MiaPrep would be the best homeschool curriculum for your family, please reach out to our customer service team! Our friendly and knowledgeable agents will be happy to help you find the answers you need.