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Homeschooling in Illinois

A year-round Illinois homeschool marketplace — curriculum, tutoring, therapy, STEM, arts and enrichment providers, plus a plain-English guide to Illinois homeschool law, the six required subject areas, withdrawing from school, the K-12 Education Expense Credit, where Illinois stands on school choice, part-time public school classes, IHSA sports, driver's education, special education, the GED and HiSET, and college.

Illinois homeschooling by topic

• Illinois Homeschool Laws & Requirements
• How to Start Homeschooling in Illinois
• Illinois School Choice, ESAs & Scholarships
• Homeschool Sports & Activities in Illinois
• Dual Enrollment & College for Illinois Homeschoolers
• Special Needs & Special Education Homeschooling in Illinois

Illinois Homeschool Options at a glance

• Overseen by: No state office registers or approves home schools. ISBE publishes guidance but does not review homeschool programs or recommend materials. The regional superintendent of schools for the family's county has first-line responsibility for investigating reports that a child isn't complying with the compulsory attendance law, and may ask the regional or district truant officer to investigate.
• Legal basis: A home school is a private school. 105 ILCS 5/26-1 exempts from public school attendance any child attending a private school where children are taught the branches of education taught to children of corresponding age and grade in the public schools, in the English language. ISBE adds that the education must be at least equivalent to that offered in public schools (People v. Levisen, 1950). Compulsory ages: 6 (on or before September 1) to 17.
• Instruction required: Six subject areas, in English: language arts; mathematics; biological and physical science; social science; fine arts; and physical development and health (105 ILCS 5/26-1 and 27-1). ISBE says no specific classes are required and there are no requirements for the number of school days or the length of a school day.
• Notice, testing and records: No registration or notice is required by the state; ISBE no longer collects homeschool forms. ISBE recommends a dated letter telling the public school you're withdrawing your child to homeschool. No tests are required, and you don't submit grades or work to anyone. There are no specific recordkeeping requirements, but ISBE strongly encourages good records.
• Diplomas: The parent decides grade progression and graduation; ISBE gives no guidance and doesn't accredit programs. A home-schooled student has no right to a public school diploma or graduation ceremony without enrolling full time and meeting all graduation requirements. The GED or HiSET plus the Illinois Constitution requirement leads to a State of Illinois High School Diploma (ICCB).
• K-12 Education Expense Credit (tax year 2025): Nonrefundable state income tax credit of 25% of qualifying expenses over the first