Indiana makes homeschooling straightforward. You need to provide 180 days of instruction in English and keep attendance records. There are no strict curriculum requirements or testing, giving you plenty of freedom.
Indiana is home to approximately 35,000 homeschooled students, making it one of the active homeschooling communities in the nation (NCES estimates, 2023). As of 2024, 12 states have enacted universal or near-universal Education Savings Account (ESA) programs, with Arizona's program alone serving over 75,000 students — making state-funded homeschooling more accessible than ever (EdChoice, 2024).
Indiana homeschool requirements at a glance
Understanding Indiana's homeschool laws
Indiana's law is pretty clear. According to Indiana Code 20-33-2-28, parents must provide an "equivalent education" to what's offered in public schools. However, the law doesn’t define what "equivalent" means. So, it’s up to you to decide how to meet that standard.
What does "equivalent education" look like?
The HSLDA provides three ways to show equivalency:
- Time-based: Teach for 180 days, just like public schools.
- Curriculum-based: Use solid instructional materials.
- Results-based: Show your child is performing at grade level.
Most families stick to the 180-day rule and cover core subjects. You get to choose what your kids study.
Non-accredited private school status
In Indiana, homeschools are seen as "nonpublic, non-accredited schools with less than one employee" (IC 20-32-4-4.1). This means you don’t have to follow public school curriculum rules, but your homeschool is still recognized as a real school.
How to start homeschooling in Indiana
What Indiana requires—and doesn’t require
Here’s what you need to do:
- Teach for 180 days each year (July 1 - June 30).
- Conduct instruction in English.
- Keep attendance records available if asked.
- Provide "equivalent education" (which isn’t defined).
What you don’t have to do
- Register or notify the state.
- Get your curriculum approved or follow specific subjects.
- Take standardized tests or assessments.
- Have teacher qualifications.
- Undergo home inspections or portfolio reviews.
- Follow Indiana Academic Standards.
The Indiana Department of Education offers a voluntary enrollment form. You don’t have to fill it out unless your school district asks.
Record-keeping requirements
What records to keep
Indiana only asks for attendance records if requested by the state or local superintendent (IC 20-33-2-20).
Here’s what to track:
- Dates of instruction (to document your 180 days).
- You can use a simple calendar or spreadsheet.
Recommended (but not required)
While not mandatory, keeping extra records can help:
- Curriculum details and materials you used.
- Samples of student work across subjects.
- Test results (if you choose to administer them).
- Course descriptions for high school (important for transcripts).
Keep records for at least two years. For high school students, maintain permanent records for college or job applications. If a superintendent asks, you must provide attendance records, but they cannot request curriculum details or student work.
Financial benefits for Indiana homeschoolers
Tax deductions and funding
Private School/Homeschool Tax Deduction: Indiana offers a tax deduction of up to $1,000 per student for educational expenses. This includes curriculum, software, and textbooks. Your actual savings depend on your tax bracket.
Indiana ESA (INESA) for Special Needs: The Indiana Education Scholarship Account gives significant funding for students with disabilities:
- Up to $20,000 annually for students with disabilities.
- Up to $8,000 annually for siblings without disabilities.
To qualify:
- Your child must have an IEP from public school or service plan from a private school.
- Your household income must be below 400% of the free/reduced lunch threshold (around $222,000 for a family of four).
INESA funds can be used for various educational expenses and are managed through ClassWallet.
Important note on inesa
If you take INESA funding, your student is no longer considered an independent homeschooler. You’ll need to sign a state contract and participate in statewide assessments, so weigh that decision carefully.
Choice scholarship program
Indiana's voucher program gives scholarships for private school tuition. Starting in 2026-2027, it will be available to everyone, regardless of income. However, this is only for private schools, not for homeschooling.
Sports and extracurricular activities
Access to public school sports
Indiana doesn’t guarantee that homeschoolers can join public school sports or activities. It’s up to each school district to make that call.
IHSAA Requirements: If your local district allows homeschool students to play sports:
- They must have been homeschooled for the last 3 years.
- They must complete statewide examinations.
- They need to enroll in at least one class per day at the school.
- They must provide grade information to the school.
Reality check
Many districts don’t allow homeschool students to participate in sports. If sports are important for your family, check with your district first.
Alternatives for sports
Most Indiana homeschool families find sports through:
- Community sports leagues.
- Church athletic programs.
- Homeschool sports organizations.
- Private clubs and teams.
The IAHE (Indiana Association of Home Educators) can help connect you with local homeschool sports options.
High school, graduation & beyond
Parent-issued diplomas
In Indiana, homeschool parents issue their own diplomas. The state doesn’t provide one. New laws (HEA 1348, 2025) recognize these diplomas for meeting state high school requirements.
Creating transcripts
You’ll need to create a transcript that includes:
- Courses taken each year with grades.
- Credit hours (usually, 120 hours = 1 credit).
- Cumulative GPA.
- Graduation date.
Make your transcript look professional with your homeschool name, address, and contact info. Include a course description addendum for unique classes.
College preparation
Indiana colleges accept homeschool applicants. IU Indianapolis notes that homeschooled students in their SPAN program are often top achievers. Key application elements include:
- Parent-created transcript (IU accepts parent signatures).
- SAT or ACT scores.
- Letters of recommendation from non-family members.
- Documentation of extracurricular activities.
High school equivalency (hse)
Students 16 and older can get a GED instead of finishing high school. This might be a good option for those looking to enter the workforce quickly.
Special needs homeschooling
Homeschooling special needs children
Indiana doesn’t impose extra requirements for homeschooling children with special needs. You’ll follow the same basic rules: 180 days, English instruction, and keep attendance records.
IEP to isp transition
When you withdraw from public school, your child’s IEP might change to an ISP (Individualized Service Plan). Some districts offer services to homeschoolers, but availability can vary.
Inesa program for special needs
The INESA provides up to $20,000 annually for students with disabilities. This covers therapies, specialized curriculum, tutoring, and other educational services—one of the best programs in the country.
Trade-offs
Taking INESA funding means signing a state contract and having to participate in statewide assessments. This means you won’t be fully independent anymore. Some families find the funding worth it, while others prefer the standard homeschool approach.
Resources
The IAHE provides support and resources for homeschooling families with special needs.
Work permits and driver's licenses
Work permits
As of April 2020, Indiana homeschoolers don’t need work permits to work. This makes it easier for teens to find jobs.
Driver's license rules
- Learner's Permit: Age 15 with driver’s ed, or 16 without.
- Driver's License: Age 16 + 90 days (with driver’s ed) or 16 + 270 days (without).
Important note
For high school students, signing the withdrawal form is crucial for getting a driver’s license. If you don’t sign the "Withdrawal to Non-Accredited Non-public School" form, your student might be seen as a dropout. This can lead to license denial until age 18. Remember, this form is for preventing dropout classification, not for registering your homeschool.
The bottom line
Indiana makes homeschooling easy. No registration, no notifications, no curriculum approval, and no testing required. Just provide 180 days of English instruction and keep attendance records to meet your legal obligations.
The $1,000 tax deduction helps with costs, and the INESA program offers great funding for families with special needs students. New laws also recognize homeschool diplomas at state agencies and colleges.
Next steps
If you're pulling a high school student from public school, sign that withdrawal form to avoid dropout issues. Otherwise, just start homeschooling—no permission needed.
