How to start homeschooling in Illinois

Options for homeschooling

: 1

Notification required

: Yes

Standardized testing required

: No

ESA Option

: No

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Illinois homeschooling laws and options

Illinois is regarded as a homeschool-friendly state, offering flexibility for families who wish to educate their children at home. Homeschooling is considered a private education option in Illinois, and parents are not required to register with the state to begin homeschooling. However, families are required to comply with the state’s compulsory education laws. Children aged 6–17 must receive education in core subjects as outlined by the state.

Key requirements for Illinois homeschoolers:

Notification: Illinois does not require parents to formally notify the state or local school district about their decision to homeschool.
Parent education requirements: Illinois does not impose any specific qualifications or certifications for parents choosing to homeschool.
Subjects required: Instruction must cover the same branches of education taught to public school students in English, including language arts, mathematics, biological and physical sciences, social sciences, fine arts, and physical development and health. Although homeschooling families are given flexibility in how they teach these subjects, they must demonstrate clear educational intent.

For more details, visit the Illinois State Board of Education website.

We have done our best to ensure the accuracy of this information, however it should not be interpreted as legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under.

How to homeschool with Time4Learning in Illinois

Homeschooling in Illinois offers families the freedom to create personalized learning experiences with minimal state regulations. Here’s how to get started:

Understand Illinois homeschooling laws. Illinois has lenient requirements, but ensure you cover basic subjects and maintain records like attendance and progress.
Notify your child’s school (optional but suggested). If withdrawing from public or private school, inform the school to avoid truancy issues, even though formal notification isn’t required.
Choose a method and curriculum. Select a teaching style and curriculum that fits your child’s needs. Many families use Time4Learning for its flexibility and comprehensive subject coverage.
Create a learning plan. Set a schedule and plan lessons to ensure consistent progress and meet educational goals.
Keep records. Though Illinois doesn’t require submission of records, keeping work samples, attendance, and progress reports is a good practice.
Connect with homeschool communities. Join local or online groups for support, resources, and social opportunities.

Time4Learning simplifies homeschooling with an online curriculum that covers core subjects like Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies, plus electives like computer science and art history. It also provides tools for lesson planning and progress tracking to support your homeschooling journey. Take advantage of the flexibility and academic growth that homeschooling in Illinois can offer!

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Illinois' high school graduation and diploma requirements

Unlike public schools, Illinois does not have specific high school graduation requirements for homeschoolers. Parents are responsible for determining their child’s graduation criteria, which may align with or differ from the state’s public school requirements.

Upon completion of their high school-level coursework, homeschooled students receive a diploma issued by their parents. Families are encouraged to craft a detailed transcript, which is often needed for post-secondary education or employment opportunities.

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Illinois's standardized test requirements for homeschoolers

Illinois does not require homeschoolers to participate in standardized tests. However, some families opt to have their children take exams such as the SAT, ACT, or advanced placement (AP) tests when applying to college.

If you are interested in standardized testing, Illinois families have the option to register for testing through local school districts or independent testing centers. Check out the ACT and College Board websites for more details.

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Applying to college as a homeschooler in Illinois

Homeschoolers in Illinois face no significant disadvantage when applying to colleges. State universities and private colleges typically accept homeschool applicants and may require additional documentation to verify academic achievement. We recommend checking with the admissions office for the campuses you wish to apply to, but here’s what is typically needed:

High school transcript – Often created by parents or guardians, detailing completed coursework, grades, and curriculum used. Tools like Time4Learning’s parent tools can help streamline this process by tracking progress and generating reports.
Standardized test scores – Homeschoolers may take tests like the SAT, ACT, or AP exams independently to showcase academic proficiency.
Letters of recommendation – Typically provided by co-op leaders, tutors, mentors, or supervisors from extracurricular activities or volunteer work.
Personal essays – A chance for homeschoolers to highlight their unique educational journey, accomplishments, passions, and goals.
Homeschool portfolios – Include a detailed record of coursework, descriptions of unique projects, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and any independent learning experiences. Portfolios can highlight creativity, self-motivation, and a personalized approach to education. Parents can print records and sample work to add to portfolios through their Time4Learning dashboard.

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Using an ESA for homeschool financial aid in Illinois

Illinois does not yet have a statewide Education Savings Account (ESA) program to aid homeschool families financially. However, ESA programs in other states provide funding for homeschool-related materials, curriculum, and services. Illinois homeschooling families are encouraged to regularly monitor state legislature changes for updates on funding options.

For now, homeschool families in Illinois can utilize tax-deductible education expenses and seek local grants to help offset costs.