Ohio Homeschool Laws and Funding (2026-27)

What Ohio’s law requires

The law that allows it: The department says that once the local superintendent receives the parent's notice, the student is released from compulsory attendance. The fact sheet cites Ohio Revised Code 3321.042.

“Once the notification is received, the district superintendent releases the student from required compulsory school attendance.” Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Home Schooling
Telling the state or district: Parents notify the superintendent of their district of residence within five calendar days after starting home education, moving into a new district or withdrawing from a school, and by August 30 every year after.

“Notification must be made within five calendar days after commencing home education, moving into a new school district, or withdrawing from a public or nonpublic school, and by the thirtieth day of August each year thereafter.” Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Home Schooling

The notice gives the parent's name and address, the child's name, and an assurance that the child will be taught the required subjects. The exemption takes effect when the notice is received, and the superintendent acknowledges it in writing within 14 calendar days.

“The notice shall provide the parent's name and address, the child's name, and an assurance that the child will receive education in the subject areas required by ORC 3321.042(C).” Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Home Education Fact Sheet (2025)

The department says parents do not need approval to home educate.

“Parents/Guardians do not need approval to home educate their children.” Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Home Education Fact Sheet (2025)
What and how long to teach: Parents agree to teach English language arts, mathematics, science, history, government and social studies.

“Provide instruction in English language arts, mathematics, science, history, government, and social studies” Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Home Schooling
Ages the law covers: The department says Ohio law requires children between 6 and 18 to attend school.

“Ohio law requires all children between the ages of 6 and 18 to attend school.” Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Home Education Fact Sheet (2025)

The state’s own page for families: Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Home Schooling.

State money for homeschoolers in Ohio

Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship and Autism Scholarship

The department's fact sheet says home educated children may be eligible for the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship or the Autism Scholarship and must find an approved provider to apply. (Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Home Education Fact Sheet (2025))

Other program rules that mention homeschooling

Autism Scholarship. A family that enrolls with a business provider under the Autism Scholarship remains responsible for home educating the child. (Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Autism Scholarship)

Programs that do not pay homeschoolers

EdChoice Scholarships. EdChoice does not fund home education or part-time enrollment in a private school for home educated students. A student who stops home education and enrolls full time in a chartered nonpublic school can take part. (Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Home Schooling)

State financial assistance. The department says there is no state financial assistance for families who home educate. (Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Home Schooling)

Ohio EdChoice: amount and how to apply Private schools in Ohio

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

Questions parents ask

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

Parents notify the superintendent of their district of residence within five calendar days after starting home education, moving into a new district or withdrawing from a school, and by August 30 every year after. The notice gives the parent's name and address, the child's name, and an assurance that the child will be taught the required subjects. The exemption takes effect when the notice is received, and the superintendent acknowledges it in writing within 14 calendar days. The department says parents do not need approval to home educate.

Can a homeschooler in Ohio get state money?

Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship and Autism Scholarship: The department's fact sheet says home educated children may be eligible for the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship or the Autism Scholarship and must find an approved provider to apply.

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 Ohio: what the law requires and who pays