In Ohio, parents interested in educating their children at home may do so by notifying the local school district superintendent and meeting the requirements of Ohio law to home school. If requirements are met, the district superintendent releases the student from required compulsory school attendance. This excuses the student and family from school attendance requirements in state law.

Parents or guardians who decide to home school their students are completely responsible for choosing the curriculum and course of study. They select the curriculum and educational materials and take responsibility for educating their children. There is no state financial assistance for families who choose this option.

If a home school student returns to a public school, the district superintendent determines the appropriate grade level for the student.

Requirements to Home School

Parents should start by notifying the superintendent of the school district where they reside about their intent to home school their child/or children.

Parents agree to:

1. Provide 900 hours of instruction per year;
2. Notify the superintendent every year; and
3. Provide an assessment of the students work. (This link will provide the O.R.C. requirement.) The academic assessment report shall include ONE of the following:
   1. Results of a nationally normed, standardized achievement; or
   2. A written narrative prepared by a certified teacher or a person mutually agreed upon by the parent(s) and the superintendent, indicating that a portfolio of the child's work has been reviewed by that person and that the progress demonstrated for the year is in accordance with the child's abilities; or
   3. An alternative academic assessment mutually agreed upon by the parent and superintendent.

Many parents think that online schools fall into the category of home schooling. This is NOT true. In Ohio, some online schools are considered community/chartered schools and are public schools.

Notify Your School District

As the parent or guardian, you must notify the superintendent of the public school district where your family resides about your intention to home school your school-age child or children. This notification must happen within one week of the start of the school year in your school district, or as soon as the student is no longer enrolled in a school.

• Recommended Notification Form

More information regarding home schooling may be found on the Ohio Department of Education's website.