Homeschooling In Kentucky: A Home School Is a Private School
When considering homeschooling in Kentucky, it’s important to know that the state upholds the parent’s right to choose the type of education that best suits their child.
The Kentucky Constitution grants parents the freedom to select a private education setting, which includes homeschooling. According to Kentucky law, children between the ages of 6 and 18 must attend school, whether in a public school or a non-public, private school, which encompasses homeschool options.
Homeschooling in Kentucky requires meeting specific guidelines, including completing a minimum of 170 instructional days and totaling at least 1,062 instructional hours annually. Parents are responsible for ensuring that the curriculum covers essential subjects designed to prepare children to become informed and responsible citizens.
Homeschool Laws In Kentucky
This information comes from the Kentucky Homeschool Packet which is offered by the Kentucky Department of Education.
- Notification: Notify the superintendent of the local school board in writing within ten days of the beginning of the school year of their intent to homeschool their child(ren) each year they homeschool. The letter must include the name, age, and residence of each child in attendance at the homeschool.
- Bona Fide Private School (Homeschool): Establish a bona fide school for the children to attend. When informing the district superintendent of your desire to homeschool, create a ‘school’ name. This will be used for future records and diplomas. Don’t let this overwhelm you, it’s simply giving your homeschool a name like ‘Smith Family Homeschool.’
- Compulsory School Age: In Kentucky, under state law, all children must be enrolled in school between the ages of six and eighteen. If a child is six by August 1, he or she must be enrolled in primary school. Children can begin primary school at age five, but only if their 5th birthday is on or before August 1 of the current school year.
- Subject Records: Record and maintain scholarship reports of each student’s progress in all subjects taught. Records must be kept at the same intervals as the local public schools. It is suggested that the person responsible for instruction keep a portfolio that contains samples of the best work done by each child in several areas of study and maintain the portfolio each year the student is homeschooled. This may be of assistance in documenting the existence of the homeschool or the transfer of the child to another educational setting. A record of courses taken, and grades received is also necessary.
- Attendance Records: Keep accurate attendance records of pupil attendance. The attendance records must be readily available in case of an inquiry. The minimum school term is 1062 instructional hours. The term of the school shall not be for a shorter period in each year than the term of the public school in the district in which the child attending the school resides. In those school districts that are operating a year-round school program, the minimum term of private and parochial schools shall be one hundred eighty-five (185) days.
- Language: It is required that all core instruction be offered in the English language.
To sum this up, you’ll name your homeschool, send in a notification letter, make sure your kids between 6 and 18 are enrolled, and keep subject and attendance records. Finally, the state requires that core instruction be taught in the English language.
Video: Homeschooling Requirements, Groups, and Information
How Many Hours a Day Do I Need to Homeschool In Kentucky?
In all Kentucky school districts, you must homeschool at least 170 days per year. However, if you are in a district that follows a year-round schedule, you must homeschool at least 185 days per year. If you were to “do school” only 170 days of the year, that would be 6.25 hours per day. Below are some other ways you could stretch the required 1062 school hours over a year.
You Could “Do School” for Approximately This Much Time
All estimates are rounded up to the quarter hour.
- 170 Days: 6 hours 30 minutes per day
- 185 Days: 5 hours 45 minutes per day
- 200 Days: 5 hours 30 minutes per day
- 230 Cays: 4 hours 45 minutes per day
- 260 Days: 4 hours 15 minutes per day
Kentucky Homeschool Letter of Intent
(Notification Letter for Homeschooling In Kentucky)
In Kentucky, you’ll need to create a name for your homeschool. While this could feel overwhelming, it could be as simple as “Your Last Name + Homeschool.” For example, something like ‘Smith Homeschool’ or ‘Smith Family Homeschool.’
Required Subjects In Kentucky
In Kentucky, the following subjects are required to be taught in homeschools. Record keeping is required and reporting is usually at six to nine week intervals.
- Reading
- Writing
- Spelling
- Grammar
- History
- Mathematics,
- Science
- Civics
Instruction should be provided in English and should include key subjects such as reading, writing, spelling, grammar, history, mathematics, and civics, mirroring the core areas taught in public schools. It is the parents’ right to offer other subjects, as well.
Compulsory School Age In Kentucky
Children who turn six by August 1st of the school year are required to attend school and stay enrolled until they are eighteen years old. However, children between the ages of six and eighteen are exempt from public school if they attend a private school.
Kentucky Department of Education: Helpful Resources
- Kentucky Department of Education Homeschool Information Packet
- KY State Regulations
- Kentucky Homeschool : Rights of the Parent
- Kentucky Non-Public or Private School Information
KY Homeschool Support Groups
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2018-2024+. HomeSchool ThinkTank, LLC. All Rights Reserved.