Kentucky Homeschool Laws and Funding (2026-27)

What Kentucky’s law requires

The law that allows it: The Kentucky Department of Education says a homeschool is a private school under KRS 159.030.

“A homeschool is a private school pursuant to KRS 159.030.” Kentucky Department of Education, Homeschool Information Packet (May 2026)

KRS 159.030 exempts from public school attendance a child enrolled and regularly attending a private, parochial or church day school.

“Who is enrolled and in regular attendance in a private, parochial, or church regular day school.” KRS 159.030, exemptions from compulsory attendance
Telling the state or district: Parents notify the local superintendent of their intent to homeschool within the first two weeks of the school year, or within two weeks of leaving public school.

“you must notify the superintendent of the local board of education in the community in which you reside of your intent to homeschool within the first two weeks of the beginning of the school year or within two weeks of withdrawal from the public school.” Kentucky Department of Education, Homeschool Information Packet (May 2026)

The notice is resubmitted every year.

“This notification must be resubmitted annually.” Kentucky Department of Education, Homeschool Information Packet (May 2026)

The letter lists each child's name and age and the home address.

“The intent to homeschool notification letter must include the names, ages, and home address of each child in attendance of the homeschool.” Kentucky Department of Education, Homeschool Information Packet (May 2026)
What and how long to teach: Certified homeschools must run at least 1,062 hours of instruction over at least 170 attendance days a year.

“certified homeschools are required to operate on a calendar with the minimum school term of at least 1,062 hours of instructional time delivered in no less than 170 student attendance days per school year.” Kentucky Department of Education, Homeschool Information Packet (May 2026)

Non-certified homeschools have no minimum school term, but the department recommends the same days and hours.

“While there is not a minimum school term required for non-certified homeschools, the KDE recommends that all homeschools meet the day and hour of instruction minimums outlined above.” Kentucky Department of Education, Homeschool Information Packet (May 2026)
Records to keep: Homeschools must keep attendance records to show a real (bona fide) school is operating.

“Homeschools are required to maintain attendance records to demonstrate a bona fide school is in operation.” Kentucky Department of Education, Homeschool Information Packet (May 2026)

The records must be open to inspection by the local Director of Pupil Personnel and department officials.

“These records must be open to inspection by the Director of Pupil Personnel from the local school district in which the homeschool is located and officials from the KDE.” Kentucky Department of Education, Homeschool Information Packet (May 2026)

Homeschools also keep scholarship reports for each student.

“In addition to attendance records, homeschools must keep scholarship reports for students in attendance.” Kentucky Department of Education, Homeschool Information Packet (May 2026)

The reports should document the courses the student completed and the grade awarded.

“These reports should document the courses the student completed and the grade he/she was awarded.” Kentucky Department of Education, Homeschool Information Packet (May 2026)
Who may teach: Under a 1979 Kentucky Supreme Court decision, the department may not set curriculum, teacher certification or accreditation standards for homeschools.

“In accordance with the Kentucky Supreme Court’s opinion in Kentucky State Board for Elementary and Secondary Education v. Rudasill (589 S.W.2d 877, Ky. 1979), the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) may not prescribe curriculum, teacher certification, or accreditation standards for homeschooling.” Kentucky Department of Education, Homeschool Information Packet (May 2026)
Ages the law covers: Compulsory attendance covers ages 6 to 16 (KRS 159.010).

“any child between the ages of six (6) and sixteen (16)” Kentucky Department of Education, Homeschool Information Packet (May 2026)

The state’s own page for families: Kentucky Department of Education, Homeschool.

State money for homeschoolers in Kentucky

We have not found an official source saying a Kentucky program pays homeschooled students.

Programs that do not pay homeschoolers

No state financial assistance. The department says there is no state financial assistance for families who homeschool. (Kentucky Department of Education, Homeschool page)

School choice in Kentucky Private schools in Kentucky

Which states pay homeschoolers, and how: Kentucky next to every other state.

Questions parents ask

Do I have to tell anyone I am homeschooling in Kentucky?

Parents notify the local superintendent of their intent to homeschool within the first two weeks of the school year, or within two weeks of leaving public school. The notice is resubmitted every year. The letter lists each child's name and age and the home address.

Can a homeschooler in Kentucky get state money?

We have not found an official source saying a Kentucky program pays homeschooled students. The department says there is no state financial assistance for families who homeschool.

Every line above is our plain-English summary of the quoted text, which is copied from the official page named beside it. Laws change: the quoted page is the authority, and a lawyer or the state can answer questions about your family.

Homeschooling in Kentucky: what the law requires and who pays

What Kentucky’s law requires

State money for homeschoolers in Kentucky

Programs that do not pay homeschoolers

Questions parents ask

Homeschool law in other states