What subjects do I have to teach in Kentucky?

Kentucky doesn't set a required subject list. Most families still cover reading, writing, math, science and social studies.

How many days or hours of homeschool does Kentucky require?

No minimum for non-certified homeschools; KDE recommends the public school standard of at least 1,062 hours over at least 170 days.

Do parents need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Kentucky?

None (the state may not prescribe teacher certification for homeschools).

What records should I keep when homeschooling in Kentucky?

Attendance records (paper or digital), open to inspection by the local Director of Pupil Personnel and KDE officials; Scholarship reports for each student documenting courses completed and grades earned.

How to homeschool in Kentucky

Low regulationChecked against official sources October 9, 2026

In Kentucky a homeschool is a private school. Each year, within the first two weeks of the school year (or within two weeks of withdrawing from public school), send your local superintendent a letter with your children's names, ages, and address. Keep attendance records and scholarship (grade) reports; there's no testing and the state can't set your curriculum.

Homeschooling in Kentucky at a glance: notice of intent required (send to the superintendent of the local board of education where you live); instruction time: no minimum for non-certified homeschools; KDE recommends the public school standard of at least 1,062 hours over at least 170 days; no…

Requirements in Kentucky

Homeschool as a private school · KRS 159.030, 159.040, 159.160

Parents establish a "bona fide" school (giving it a name is enough) and notify the local superintendent each year. The family keeps attendance and scholarship records, which must be open to inspection by the district's Director of Pupil Personnel and state education officials.

Notice: Send to: the superintendent of the local board of education where you live.
When: within the first two weeks of the school year, or within two weeks of withdrawing your child from public school.
How often: annually.
How: a written letter to the superintendent (the district must accept it); KDE's homeschool packet includes a sample letter.
Instruction time: No minimum for non-certified homeschools; KDE recommends the public school standard of at least 1,062 hours over at least 170 days.
Records to keep: Attendance records (paper or digital), open to inspection by the local Director of Pupil Personnel and KDE officials.
Scholarship reports for each student documenting courses completed and grades earned.
Testing / evaluation: None required.
Parent qualifications: None (the state may not prescribe teacher certification for homeschools).
Also: Kentucky's No-Pass/No-Drive law applies to homeschool students.

Official form: KDE Homeschool Information Packet (sample notification letter)

What the notice must include

Name of each child attending the homeschool.
Age of each child.
Home address (place of residence) of each child.

Checklist

Name your homeschool (establish a bona fide school): before you begin.
Send your notification letter to the local superintendent: within the first two weeks of each school year, or within two weeks of withdrawing from public school.
Keep attendance records: ongoing.
Keep scholarship reports (courses and grades): ongoing; KDE recommends the same grading intervals as your local schools.

Leaving a public school

Notify the local superintendent of your intent to homeschool within two weeks of withdrawing your child from public school; the district is required to accept the notification letter.

Common questions about homeschooling in Kentucky

Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Kentucky?: Yes. You send notice to the superintendent of the local board of education where you live, within the first two weeks of the school year, or within two weeks of withdrawing your child from public school. How often: annually. A written letter to the superintendent (the district must accept it); KDE's homeschool packet includes a sample letter.
What subjects do I have to teach in Kentucky?: Kentucky doesn't set a required subject list. Most families still cover reading, writing, math, science and social studies.
How many days or hours of homeschool does Kentucky require?: No minimum for non-certified homeschools; KDE recommends the public school standard of at least 1,062 hours over at least 170 days.
Are standardized tests or evaluations required in Kentucky?: None required.
Do parents need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Kentucky?: None (the state may not prescribe teacher certification for homeschools).
What records should I keep when homeschooling in Kentucky?: Attendance records (paper or digital), open to inspection by the local Director of Pupil Personnel and KDE officials; Scholarship reports for each student documenting courses completed and grades earned.

Worth double-checking

Subjects and school-year length: KRS 158.080 (amended 2023) applies the English-language, required-subjects, and 1,062-hour/170-day calendar rules to private schools "certified" under KRS 156.160(3). KDE's May 2026 packet says non-certified homeschools have no minimum term but recommends meeting it, and that KDE may not prescribe homeschool curriculum. Older guidance listing required subjects (reading, writing, spelling, grammar, history, math, civics) may be outdated.
Some older KDE materials gave a ten-day notice deadline; the statute (KRS 159.160) and KDE's May 2026 packet say two weeks.
KRS 159.040 refers to an attendance register "provided by the Kentucky Board of Education"; KDE says it does not enforce a paper register and accepts any format.
Statute links point to Justia's copies of the official KRS text; the Kentucky Legislature site (apps.legislature.ky.gov) is the official source.

Sources

This is a plain-language summary to help you get organized, not legal advice. Laws and forms change, so confirm the details with your state or school district before you file.