Ohio homeschool requirements
Overview
Since October 2023 Ohio parents send a short notice to the district superintendent: no curriculum outline, assessment report or excuse letter is required. The notice must give an assurance that instruction will cover the six listed subject areas.
Legal pathway: Home education under ORC 3321.042 (effective October 3, 2023, House Bill 33).
Notification and registration
Within five calendar days after commencing home education, moving to a new district, or withdrawing from a school, and by August 30 each year after, send the superintendent of your district of residence your name and address, the child's name, and an assurance the child will be educated in the required subject areas. The exemption is effective immediately on receipt. The superintendent must acknowledge in writing within 14 calendar days. ODEW says districts may not request or require information not listed in the statute.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Initial notice | Within 5 calendar days of starting, moving districts or withdrawing from a school |
| Annual notice | By August 30 each year |
| District acknowledgment | Within 14 calendar days of receipt (the district's duty) |
Who may teach: No parent qualification stated in ORC 3321.042.
Ages: 'Home education' means education directed by the child's parent for a child between six and eighteen.
Required subjects
- English language arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- History
- Government
- Social studies
How our subjects line up
MathematicsRequired
Mathematics is a required area.
English Language Arts (Reading & Writing)Required
English language arts is a required area.
ScienceRequired
Science is a required area.
History & Social StudiesRequired
History, government and social studies are all required areas.
Spanish (world language)Not listed
The required subjects this guide lists for Ohio do not include a world language. Spanish is an elective here; it can still count toward a broad, balanced program.
English as a Second LanguageRelated
Supports Ohio's English / language-arts requirement for children still learning English. It does not replace a full grade-level language arts course; use it alongside one.
Also required (outside the subjects we offer): Government (taught alongside history/social studies).
Instruction time: No minimum days or hours stated in ORC 3321.042.
Testing and assessment
No assessment or test report is required under ORC 3321.042.
- ODEW's October 2023 update says there is no longer a requirement to provide the family's curriculum or assessment information to the district.
- If there is evidence a child is not receiving education in the required areas, the child may be subject to ORC 3321.19 (truancy-related provisions).
Record-keeping
The statute lists no record-keeping requirement.
- Keep your sent notice and the district's written acknowledgment.
- When a child later enrolls in public school, placement is based on the district's policies without discrimination or prejudice (ORC 3321.042(D)); keeping work samples helps with placement.
Ohio homeschool checklist
Guidance only. Last verified 2026-10-26. Verify each step with the official sources below.
Notes and limits of this guide
- Ohio rules changed in 2023; older guides that mention curriculum outlines, assessment reports or excuse letters are outdated.
Official sources
Last verified 2026-10-26. Always check these pages for the current rules.