Homeschooling in Kansas.

How homeschooling works here

Kansas has no separate homeschool law. A homeschool operates as a nonaccredited private school (NAPS), taught by a competent instructor for a period substantially equivalent to your local public school year (Kansas Statutes Annotated, or K.S.A., 72-3120).

Compulsory age

Age 7 until 18, unless your child has a high school diploma or equivalency credential. A child under 7 who is enrolled in school must attend unless you withdraw them.

Register once

Register your homeschool's name and address with the Kansas State Board of Education, using the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) free online form. You register once, not every year (K.S.A. 72-4346).

After you register

KSDE doesn't approve or review registrations and sends no confirmation, so save a copy. Use the same form to update your school's name or address, or to mark it inactive when you stop.

Leaving a school

Tell your child's previous school that your child is moving to your homeschool. KSDE says that if you don't, the school may have to report your child as truant.

Teachers

Courses must be taught by a competent instructor. Kansas doesn't define competent, and KSDE says teachers don't need a state license.

Time

Teach for a period substantially equivalent to your district's school year. KSDE points to the public school minimum: 186 days, or 1,116 hours for grades 1 through 11. The law defines regular enrollment as five or more hours of instruction each school day.

Curriculum

You choose and buy your own materials. KSDE doesn't provide or review curriculum, and the Kansas Curricular Standards are optional guidelines you can use.

Testing

None required by the laws that govern homeschools.

Records

No reports are due beyond registration. Keep your registration copy and an attendance and course log, so you can show your instruction and a future school can request your child's records.

Diplomas

You issue your own high school diploma. KSDE says Kansas doesn't recognize homeschool diplomas as meeting any state requirements.

Statute

K.S.A. 72-3120 (compulsory attendance) and K.S.A. 72-4345 to 72-4347 (registration of nonaccredited private schools).