Illinois Homeschooling: A Guide to the Private School Pathway

Illinois is widely recognized as one of the most flexible states for homeschooling in the United States. Under the Illinois School Code, homeschools are classified as a type of private school — a legal category, not a business you register. You do not file anything with the state, apply for approval, or pay a fee. You simply teach. Families have broad curriculum freedom and set their own schedule, balanced by responsibility for record-keeping.

The Legal Landscape

Homeschooling in Illinois is governed by the Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/26-1). This statute requires children between the ages of 6 and 17 to attend public school unless they are enrolled in a private, parochial, or charter school where the instruction is in English and provides an education equivalent to that of the public schools. The Illinois Supreme Court’s 1950 decision in People v. Levisen confirmed that a home providing qualified instruction satisfies the private-school exemption.

Because Illinois identifies homeschools as private schools, the state does not require families to seek approval, register, or participate in standardized testing. This “low regulation” environment is ideal for families seeking educational freedom, though it requires diligent record-keeping for high school and college admissions. As of the last page verification, no pending Illinois legislation would change homeschool notification, testing, or curriculum requirements.

The Single Pathway: Private School Status

There is only one legal way to homeschool in Illinois: your home operates as a private school. No filing, no application, and no state approval are required.

1. Notification and Registration

You are not required to notify the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) or your local school district that you are homeschooling. ISBE offers a voluntary registration form, but homeschooling advocates generally recommend against filing it — registration is not legally required and may invite unnecessary follow-up.

2. Withdrawing From a Public or Private School

If your child is currently enrolled, send a written withdrawal letter to the school principal before your child stops attending. This prevents the school from marking your child as truant. You are not asking permission — as a private school administrator, you are informing the school of the transfer.

When is your child officially a homeschooler? The day after your withdrawal letter is received by the school. Send the letter by certified mail (keep the receipt) or hand-deliver it and ask for a dated, signed acknowledgment. That delivery confirmation is your proof of the effective date.

Sample withdrawal letter

[Your Name]
[Address]
[Date]

[Principal's Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]

Dear [Principal's Name]:

Please accept this letter as formal notice that I am withdrawing my child,
[Child's Full Name], date of birth [DOB], grade [Grade], from [School Name],
effective [Date].

Beginning [Date], [Child's Name] will be enrolled in a non-public (private)
home school in accordance with 105 ILCS 5/26-1(1). Please remove [Child's Name]
from your attendance rolls and update your records accordingly.

Please confirm receipt of this letter in writing.

Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]

If the school asks you to fill out a district-specific form, you may do so as a courtesy, but your written notice is legally sufficient under Illinois’s private-school statute.

3. Teacher Qualifications

Illinois law requires that the person providing instruction be “competent.” There is no requirement for a teaching certificate, a college degree, or even a high school diploma. As long as the parent or tutor can effectively teach the required branches of education, they meet the legal standard.

4. Required Subjects

Your curriculum must be taught in English and must include the following subjects:

• Language Arts: reading, writing, spelling, grammar
• Mathematics: general math, algebra, geometry, etc.
• Biological and Physical Sciences: biology, chemistry, physics, earth science
• Social Sciences: history, geography, civics, economics
• Fine Arts: music, art, or drama
• Physical Development and Health: physical education and health education

The statute lists subjects but not content, textbooks, grade-level scope, or frequency. You choose the curriculum.

5. Instruction Time

Illinois law requires an education “equivalent” to public school but does not set a statutory minimum number of instructional days or hours. Public schools operate approximately 176 to 180 days per year, which is widely used as a reasonable benchmark — but this is a guideline, not a legal floor. Courts examining equivalence have focused on whether genuine education is occurring, not on day counts. You do not need to log hours or days to comply, though keeping a general calendar helps for transcripts and record-keeping.

Assessments and Testing

Illinois has no mandatory testing requirements for homeschoolers. You are not required to participate in the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) or any other state-mandated exams. Many families choose to administer nationally normed standardized tests (like the Iowa Assessments or Stanford 10) for their own information or for college preparation, but this is entirely optional.

Record Keeping and Transcripts

Because there is no state oversight, your records are the only proof of your child’s education. We recommend maintaining a “School Portfolio” containing:

• An attendance calendar
• A list of subjects taught and materials used
• Samples of your student’s work
• Records of any testing or evaluations
• A high school transcript for students in grades 9-12

If you ever move to a more regulated state or your child returns to public school, these records will be essential for grade placement and college admissions.

Financial Support and School Choice

Illinois does not currently offer an Education Savings Account (ESA), voucher, or scholarship program for homeschoolers. The “Invest in Kids” tax-credit scholarship program ended on December 31, 2023, and has not been renewed. As of the last page verification, no active Illinois legislation would create a new ESA, voucher, or similar program.

Homeschool parents may still claim the Illinois Education Expense Tax Credit: 25% of qualified education expenses over $250, up to a maximum of $750 per year. Qualified expenses for homeschoolers include textbooks and lab supplies used for the required subjects. Keep receipts and verify eligibility on the Schedule ICR page linked below before filing.

Step-by-Step Compliance Summary

1. Withdraw (if necessary): If leaving a public or private school, send the withdrawal letter above before your child stops attending.
2. Establish Your School: Choose a name for your private home school (optional but helpful for transcripts). No filing or state registration is required.
3. Select Curriculum: Ensure it covers the six required subject areas and is taught in English.
4. Teach: Provide genuine instruction in each required subject.
5. Document: Keep records of attendance, subjects, and progress — especially at the high school level.

Resources

• Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) — Homeschooling
• Illinois Compiled Statutes — 105 ILCS 5/26-1
• Illinois Department of Revenue — Education Expense Credit (Schedule ICR)