Your state guide · 2026
Illinois homeschool laws
Last verified · View official sources
The short answer
Illinois treats a home school as a private school under its compulsory attendance law, so no notice or registration is required.
At a glance
- No notice required
- Home schools count as private schools
- Compulsory ages 6 to 17
- Six required subject areas
- No testing required
Requirements at a glance
Read the details for your chosen homeschooling option below.
| Requirement | What to know |
|---|---|
| Compulsory school ages | 6–17 |
| Notice required | No |
| Filing deadline | Not required. |
| Required subjects | Language arts; Mathematics; Biological and physical sciences; Social sciences; Fine arts; Physical development and health |
| Instruction time | Not specified in state law or state board guidance. |
| Parent qualifications | The state sets no formal qualifications; the teacher must be competent. |
| Tests & assessments | Testing is not required, and any results do not have to be submitted. |
| Records to keep | No records are required by the state; parents decide what to keep. |
| Immunizations | Not addressed in the compulsory attendance law or the state board's homeschool guidance. |
How to start homeschooling in Illinois
The law requires instruction in English in the branches taught in public schools, and the Illinois State Board of Education lists six subject areas and says the education must be at least equivalent to public school. Testing is not required, and the state does not approve home school programs.
Choose your homeschooling option
Home school as a private school. Under section 26-1 of the School Code and the People v. Levisen ruling, a home school taught by a competent teacher that covers the required subjects at a level equivalent to public school counts as a private school.
Check the notice rules
No state filing is required. The state offers a voluntary registration form, and when withdrawing from public school it recommends a dated letter to the school.
Open the official notice resource ↗Check when and where to file
When: Not required.
Where: Voluntary: Illinois State Board of Education or the Regional Office of Education.
Subjects to teach
- Language arts
- Mathematics
- Biological and physical sciences
- Social sciences
- Fine arts
- Physical development and health
Official forms & law
Illinois State Board of Education ↗
Forms & guidance
Statutes
Questions, answered.
What do I file to homeschool in Illinois?
No state filing is required. The state offers a voluntary registration form, and when withdrawing from public school it recommends a dated letter to the school.
When do I file in Illinois?
Not required.
What assessments are required in Illinois?
Testing is not required, and any results do not have to be submitted.
Check the original
Sources
- 105 ILCS 5/26-1, Compulsory school age; exemptions ↗Illinois General Assembly
- Homeschooling ↗Illinois State Board of Education
Last verified .