Notice of intent, 185 instruction days, required subjects, and assessment rules — everything Kentucky homeschooling families need to stay compliant in 2026.
Kentucky homeschool operates on a low-regulation model: parents may homeschool once they've notified the local board of education. There is no curriculum approval process, no portfolio review by the state, and no home visit requirement.
Kentucky requires parents to file a notice of intent with the local board of education within the first two weeks of the school year. The notice must include the names, ages, and home address of each homeschooled child, plus the name of the instructor.
Required information: names, ages, and home address of children, plus the name of the instructor. Once filed, you're free to begin your homeschool year on your own schedule.
Kentucky requires 185 days of instruction per academic year. There is no statewide minimum number of hours per day — families set their own daily schedule — but you must maintain an attendance record and keep scholarship reports on file for each child.
Kentucky does not require standardized testing for homeschooled students. No portfolio review, no state-mandated assessment, no grade-level testing windows. Parents keep their own records and decide whether — and when — to administer any informal assessment.
Kentucky parents must provide instruction in the following seven subjects, all required across grade levels:
Beyond this list, families have full freedom to choose their curriculum, learning style, and pace — from classical to Charlotte Mason to unschooling.
Take the 2-minute Curriculum Matcher quiz to find a program that fits your family's style, or browse Featured Listings to see what other Kentucky families are using this year.