How to start homeschooling in Kansas
The legal steps, in order, checked against Kansas law.
Short answer: In Kansas a homeschool operates as a nonaccredited private school. The parent registers the school's name and address once with the State Board of Education, and instruction must be given by a competent instructor for a period substantially equivalent to the local public school term.
Checked against K.S.A. 72-3120(a)(2) on Nov 8, 2026. Compulsory school ages: 7 to 18. This is what the law says, not legal advice.
Nonaccredited private school (homeschool)
Families who want to run their own home-based private school.
Steps
- Choose a name for your school.
- Register the school's name and address with the Kansas State Board of Education using the online form. You register once. There is no approval process or fee.
- Keep a copy of your registration, since no confirmation is sent. You can request a registration letter from KSDE if needed.
- If your child is leaving a public school, notify that school so the child is not reported as truant.
- Provide instruction by a competent instructor for a period substantially equivalent to the time the public school in your district is in session.
- If the homeschool closes, mark it non-active using the same online form.
| Notice to the state | Yes To: The Kansas State Board of Education (name and address registration) When: Once, when the school is established. No deadline is stated. Official form |
|---|---|
| Subjects | None listed by law. The department recommends, but does not require, the public school graduation units for high school: 4 English, 3 history and government, 3 science, 3 math, 1 physical education, 1 fine arts, 6 electives. |
| Time | A period substantially equivalent to the period the public school is maintained in the district. KSDE notes public schools must provide at least 186 days, or 1,116 hours per year for grades 1 to 11. |
| Parent qualifications | Instruction must be by a competent instructor. KSDE says state teacher licensure is not required. |
| Testing or evaluation | None required by law |
| Records to keep | Not required by law. The department advises keeping accurate progress records in case your child transfers to an accredited school or applies to college. |
The law: K.S.A. 72-3120(a)(2) K.S.A. 72-4345 and 72-4346 Kansas State Department of Education, Homeschooling in Kansas fact sheet (revised Feb 12, 2024)
Leaving public school mid-year
KSDE says the parent must notify the school the student previously attended when transferring to a nonaccredited private school. If this is not done, the school is required to report the student as truant.
High school, transcripts and diplomas
Non-accredited private schools, including homeschools, issue their own diplomas. The state does not issue them, and the department says these diplomas are not recognized by the state as meeting its requirements. Colleges set their own admission rules.
After the paperwork
Common questions
Do I have to tell the state I am homeschooling in Kansas?
Yes, under the nonaccredited private school (homeschool) route, you notify the Kansas State Board of Education (name and address registration) once, when the school is established. No deadline is stated..
Is testing required for homeschoolers in Kansas?
No. Kansas law does not require testing under the nonaccredited private school (homeschool) route.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Kansas?
None listed by law. The department recommends, but does not require, the public school graduation units for high school: 4 English, 3 history and government, 3 science, 3 math, 1 physical education, 1 fine arts, 6 electives.
What ages must be schooled in Kansas?
Ages 7 to 18, per state law.
Sources
- K.S.A. 72-3120(a)(2)
- K.S.A. 72-4345 and 72-4346
- Kansas State Department of Education, Homeschooling in Kansas fact sheet (revised Feb 12, 2024)
- K.S.A. 72-4345 (nonaccredited private schools, definitions)
- Nonaccredited Private Schools, Kansas State Department of Education
We read each source on Nov 8, 2026 and recheck every guide each quarter. Laws change. If something here no longer matches the state, write to us and we will fix it.