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Homeschool laws · State guide

Homeschooling in Kentucky

Kentucky homeschools are private schools: send an annual notice to the local superintendent within two weeks of the school year's start and keep attendance and scholarship records.

Last checkedAgainst Statute + state sources

Kentucky at a glanceLevel: Low

Notice to the state
Yes
Each year, notify your local superintendent in writing within the first two weeks of the school year (or of withdrawing from public school), with each child's name, age and address (KDE).
Testing
No
None required; KDE may not prescribe curriculum, teacher certification or accreditation for homeschools (KDE, citing Rudasill, 1979).
Record-keeping
Required
Attendance records and scholarship reports (courses completed and grades), open to inspection by the district Director of Pupil Personnel and KDE officials (KRS 159.040).
Immunization
Required, no proof needed
State law requires childhood immunization (KRS 214.034(1)), but homeschoolers don't have to show records unless joining school classes, sports or activities (902 KAR 2:060 §2(2)).
Required subjects
None specified
Instruction time
KDE: certified homeschools must meet 1,062 hours in at least 170 days (KRS 158.070, 158.080); no minimum for non-certified homeschools, but KDE recommends the same.
Parent qualifications
None
KDE may not prescribe teacher certification
Compulsory school age
6 to 18 (KRS 159.010(1)(b)-(c); KDE); notice required if the child is 6 by August 1

Ways to homeschool here: Homeschool as a private school (KRS 159.030)

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Overview

KDE states that ‘a homeschool is a private school pursuant to KRS 159.030.’ To begin, establish a bona fide school (giving it a name is a common way) and notify the local superintendent. The private school must notify the local board of students in attendance, or, if it declines, the parent must (KRS 159.030(1)(b)).

Requirements at a glance

  • Notice: Each year, notify the superintendent of your local board of education in writing within the first two weeks of the school year (or within two weeks of withdrawing from public school), listing the names, ages and home address of each child. Districts must accept the letter. (KDE Homeschool Information Packet)
  • Testing or assessment: None required; KDE may not prescribe curriculum, teacher certification or accreditation for homeschools (KDE, citing Rudasill, 1979).
  • Records: Attendance records and scholarship reports (courses completed and grades), open to inspection by the district Director of Pupil Personnel and KDE officials. KDE allows digital or paper attendance records. (KRS 159.040; KDE)
  • Subjects: None specified
  • Instruction time: KDE: certified homeschools must meet 1,062 hours in at least 170 days (KRS 158.070, 158.080); no minimum for non-certified homeschools, but KDE recommends the same.
  • Parent/teacher qualifications: None (KDE may not prescribe teacher certification)
  • Compulsory attendance ages: 6 to 18 (KRS 159.010(1)(b)-(c); KDE); notice required if the child is 6 by August 1

KDE notes Kentucky’s No-Pass/No-Drive law applies to homeschool students, and homeschools issue their own diplomas.

Sources

This page summarizes the statutes and official pages listed in the sources block, as read on the last-checked date. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm current requirements with your state or local education agency.