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Homeschool Requirements in Ohio

Ohio's homeschool law got much simpler in 2023. Today you send your school district a short notice, teach six subject areas, and that's the whole list. Here's how it works, in plain English.

Natalie Riggs

Homeschool mom of two and co-founder of Packet Day

✓ Last verified against the Ohio Revised Code and education.ohio.gov

Ohio families send a home education notice to their district superintendent within five days of starting, and by August 30 each year.

The short answer ⚡

Yes, a short notice. Send it to your district superintendent within five calendar days of starting, and again by August 30 each year. It lists your name and address, your child's name, and your promise to teach six subject areas. No approval, testing, or set hours.

Ohio at a glance 📋

Notify the district
Yes
Within 5 days of starting, then by August 30 each year
Approval
Not needed
Your child is exempt once the notice is received
Parent qualifications
None in the law
The 2023 law sets no teaching qualification
Subjects
Six areas
English language arts, math, science, history, government, social studies
Testing
Not required
No test or yearly assessment in the home education law
Hours
Not set
The old 900 hour rule was in the rescinded rules

Pick your path 🛤️

Here are the main ways Ohio families educate at home. This guide covers home education under ORC 3321.042.

At home

1. Home education

You direct your child's education and send a short notice to your district superintendent. ODEW says you don't need approval, and the law makes your child exempt from compulsory attendance as soon as the superintendent receives the notice.

Less common

2. Nonchartered nonpublic school

A separate path for schools that don't seek a state charter because of truly held religious beliefs. It has its own rules: a yearly report filed with ODEW by September 30, set hours, and teachers with a bachelor's degree or its equivalent.

Good to know

3. Online schools

ODEW says online schools are not home education in Ohio. They're internet based community schools (e-schools) or district online schools, so your child is a public school student.

Your Ohio school year, step by step 🗓️

There are just two dates to remember: five days after you start, and August 30 every year after that. Your superintendent can't turn your notice down.

What goes in your notice

  • Your name and address
  • Your child's name
  • An assurance that your child will be taught English language arts, mathematics, science, history, government, and social studies
  • ODEW also lists your signature, and its optional notification form has a signature line. You can use it or your own format.

  1. Within five calendar days of starting home education, moving into a new district, or withdrawing from a school: send your notice to your district superintendent.

  2. Your child's exemption takes effect as soon as the superintendent receives it.

  3. Within 14 calendar days: the superintendent sends you a written acknowledgment that the notice arrived. It's a receipt, not an approval. Keep it.

  4. All year: teach the six subject areas, with the curriculum and materials you choose.

  5. By August 30 every year after: send your notice again.

What the district can't ask for

  • ODEW says districts can't request or require information the law doesn't list
  • No curriculum outline, textbook list, hours, teacher qualifications, or test results

What changed in 2023

  • House Bill 33, the state budget, created today's notice law on October 3, 2023
  • The old rules asked for a curriculum outline, a materials list, 900 hours, teacher qualifications, superintendent review, and a yearly academic assessment
  • The same bill ordered those rules rescinded and barred the state from writing new home education rules

Sports and activities

  • Your district must offer your child any extracurricular activity at the school they'd be assigned to, with the same requirements and fees as everyone else

Source: ORC 3321.042: Home education

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Records to keep 🗂️

Ohio's home education law doesn't require you to keep records. ODEW does recommend keeping one thing, and a few more make life easier:

  • Every acknowledgment letter from your superintendent. ODEW says a diploma should come with the final year's letter, and College Credit Plus asks for the current one.Recommended
  • A copy of every notice you send and proof you sent itOur suggestion
  • A simple log or work samples handy if your child returns to schoolOur suggestion

A folder with your notices and letters covers you. Everything else is up to you.

Testing: what Ohio actually requires 🧪

None. Ohio's home education law doesn't require standardized tests, portfolio reviews, or a yearly assessment.

Before 2023, Ohio families sent a yearly academic assessment showing "reasonable proficiency." That rule was part of the rules House Bill 33 ordered rescinded. You're free to test on your own if it helps you plan.

What to teach 📚

Your notice promises that your child will be taught six subject areas. ODEW says parents are completely responsible for choosing the curriculum and course of study.

  • Required subject areas: English language arts, mathematics, science, history, government, and social studies

The law doesn't set hours or days. If there's evidence a child isn't being taught the required subjects, Ohio's truancy law may apply.

5 mistakes new Ohio homeschoolers make ⚠️

  1. 1. Waiting for permission before you start.

    ODEW says you don't need approval. Your child is exempt as soon as the superintendent receives your notice.

  2. 2. Missing the five day window.

    The notice is due within five calendar days of starting, moving to a new district, or withdrawing from a school.

  3. 3. Forgetting August 30.

    Your notice is due again by August 30 every year after your first one.

  4. 4. Sending more than the law asks for.

    Older forms asked for an outline, a book list, hours and test results. Today's law asks for three things, and ODEW says districts can't require more.

  5. 5. Tossing the acknowledgment letter.

    ODEW says a diploma should come with the final year's acknowledgment, and College Credit Plus asks for the current year's letter.

Ohio homeschool FAQ 💬

Do I need to notify anyone to homeschool in Ohio?

Yes. Send a notice to the superintendent of your school district of residence within five calendar days after you start, move into a new district, or withdraw your child from school. Then send it again by August 30 every year. You don't need approval, and your child is exempt once the notice is received.

What goes in the Ohio home education notice?

Just three things: your name and address, your child's name, and an assurance that your child will be taught English language arts, math, science, history, government, and social studies. ODEW offers an optional form, and says districts can't require information beyond what the law lists.

What happens after I send the notice?

Your child's exemption from school attendance takes effect as soon as the superintendent receives it. Within 14 calendar days, the superintendent must send you a written acknowledgment that the notice arrived. It isn't an approval, but keep it. You'll want it for College Credit Plus and your child's diploma.

What changed in Ohio's homeschool law in 2023?

House Bill 33, the state budget, took effect October 3, 2023. The old rules required a curriculum outline, a materials list, 900 hours, teacher qualifications, superintendent review, and a yearly academic assessment. Now families send a short notice instead, and the state can't write new home education rules.

Does Ohio require homeschool testing?

No. Ohio's home education law doesn't require standardized tests, portfolio reviews, or a yearly assessment. The old assessment rule, which asked for a report showing "reasonable proficiency," was part of the rules House Bill 33 ordered rescinded. You're free to test your child on your own if it helps you plan.

How many hours or days do Ohio homeschoolers need?

The current law doesn't set any hours or days. The old 900 hour rule was in the rules rescinded after House Bill 33. What the law does ask is that your child is taught the six required subject areas, and that you send your notice every year.

Can Ohio homeschoolers join school sports and activities?

Yes. Your district must offer your child any extracurricular activity at the school they'd be assigned to. Your child meets the same nonacademic and financial requirements as everyone else, and the district can't add extra rules or charge higher fees. If your district doesn't offer an activity, another district may allow it.

Can I give my child a high school diploma in Ohio?

Yes. A parent or guardian may grant the diploma when a home educated student finishes their high school curriculum. Districts don't issue diplomas for home educated students, and ODEW doesn't provide a template. For college or job applications, ODEW says to include the superintendent's acknowledgment from the final year.

Get your free Ohio checklist ✅

We turned this whole page into a 1 page printable checklist: every notice step, every deadline, what to keep on file. Stick it in your homeschool binder and you're covered.

We'll email you the checklist and occasional homeschool tips from Natalie. Unsubscribe anytime.

Plus, make your first learning packet free. 11 to 17 pages, generated around your kiddo in a minute or two.

Sources 📖

Last verified October 2026. Requirements are summarized from the sources above.

This page summarizes public information for general reference. It is not legal advice. Laws change; confirm current requirements with your school district, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, or a qualified attorney before making decisions for your family.

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