Indiana vs Kentucky: Homeschool Laws Compared

Kentucky is the more regulated of the two: it requires notice but no testing or evaluation, while Indiana requires no notice to homeschool. They differ on 5 of the 9 rules compared: notice of intent, hours or days per year, required subjects, compulsory school ages, and ESA funding.

Rules compared

9

Differences

5

Same in both

4

The rules, side by side

Rows where the two states differ are marked. Tap a state name for its full guide, deadlines, and sources.

Figures are the same verified compliance data shown on each state's page. Requirements change; confirm with your state before you rely on one.

Moving from Indiana to Kentucky

Once you are a Kentucky resident you homeschool under Kentucky's rules. These are the ones that change.

1. File a notice of intent with the local school district once you are a Kentucky resident. Indiana did not ask for one, so this is new paperwork.
2. The annual target changes from 180 days a year in Indiana to 1,062 hours over 170 days a year in Kentucky.
3. Kentucky names 8 required subjects (reading, writing, spelling, grammar, history, math, science, civics). Tag activities to them so a gap shows before the year ends.
4. Compulsory school ages are 6-18 in Kentucky against 7-18 in Indiana, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
5. Kentucky has no ESA program. Indiana's Indiana Education Scholarship Account (INESA) is for Indiana residents, so budget without it.

Moving from Kentucky to Indiana

Once you are a Indiana resident you homeschool under Indiana's rules. These are the ones that change.

1. There is no notice to file in Indiana. Before you leave, send Kentucky's district a short withdrawal note so its attendance record closes.
2. The annual target changes from 1,062 hours over 170 days a year in Kentucky to 180 days a year in Indiana.
3. Indiana names no required subjects. Kentucky's list is still a sensible course plan; it stops being a legal one.
4. Compulsory school ages are 7-18 in Indiana against 6-18 in Kentucky, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
5. Indiana runs Indiana Education Scholarship Account (INESA). Check whether your family qualifies; Kentucky had no comparable program.

What stays the same

Indiana and Kentucky match on testing or evaluation, the portfolio, progress reports, and public school sports access. Your habits on those carry over unchanged.

Do your records transfer?

Neither Indiana nor Kentucky takes homeschool records from another state, and there is no transfer process between them. You keep your own: the hours or attendance log, work samples, and any grades or transcripts. Those are what the new state, and later a college, may ask to see. Homeschool Fox keeps them in one account that moves with your family.

Keep comparing

• Illinois vs Indiana 5 rules differ
• Illinois vs Kentucky 5 rules differ
• Indiana vs Michigan 4 rules differ
• Indiana vs Ohio 5 rules differ
• Kentucky vs Missouri 7 rules differ
• Kentucky vs Ohio 4 rules differ
• Kentucky vs Tennessee 6 rules differ
• Kentucky vs Virginia 4 rules differ
• Kentucky vs West Virginia 6 rules differ
• States That Require a Homeschool Notice of Intent All 36 states in one table
• States With Homeschool Hour and Day Requirements All 21 states in one table
• Required Homeschool Subjects by State All 34 states in one table