Homeschooling in Ohio

Legal Framework

Ohio homeschooling operates under Ohio Revised Code §3321.042, which took effect on October 3, 2023 when House Bill 33 was signed into law. This was a major simplification of the old rules. The previous administrative code (Ohio Administrative Code 3301-34) was repealed entirely, and the new statute is far more straightforward.

Ohio is a notification state, not an approval state. That means your right to homeschool is effective immediately upon sending your notice -- you do not need permission from the superintendent or anyone else.

Step-by-Step: How to Start Homeschooling in Ohio

1. Send a notification to your superintendent. Within five calendar days of beginning home education, moving into a new school district, or withdrawing your child from a public or nonpublic school, you must transmit a written notice to the superintendent of your child's school district of residence. Each year after that, you must re-notify by August 30.
2. Include the required information. Your notice must contain your name and address, your child's name, and an assurance that your child will receive education in the required subject areas.
3. Begin teaching. Your child's exemption from compulsory attendance is effective immediately upon the superintendent's receipt of your notice. There is no waiting period and no approval process.

Required Subjects

Ohio law requires instruction in the following subject areas:

• English language arts
• Mathematics
• Science
• History
• Government
• Social studies

You have complete freedom in how you teach these subjects. There is no required curriculum, no mandated textbooks, and no minimum number of hours or days of instruction.

Teacher Qualifications

Ohio does not require any specific qualifications to homeschool your child. You do not need a teaching certificate, a college degree, or a high school diploma to legally home educate in Ohio.

Record-Keeping

While the new law does not mandate specific record-keeping requirements, it is strongly recommended that you maintain records of your instruction, including attendance logs, samples of student work, and any assessments you choose to administer. Good records protect you if questions arise and help when transitioning back to public school or applying for college.

Withdrawing from Public School

If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, do not just stop showing up. Send your notification to the superintendent first, then formally withdraw your child. You want a clean paper trail. Some districts have their own withdrawal forms, but your statutory notification is the key document.

Ohio Home School Expenses Tax Credit

Ohio offers a state income tax credit for homeschooling expenses. As of the 2025 tax year (filed in 2026), you can claim up to $250 per qualifying homeschooled dependent. This is an improvement over the previous limit of $250 per tax return. The credit covers the lesser of $250 per dependent or the actual amount you spent on items used directly in home instruction, such as textbooks, workbooks, curricula, and educational software.

To qualify, your dependent must be homeschooled in Ohio during the tax year, and you must have sent the required notification to your superintendent.

Ohio ACE Education Savings Account

Ohio's ACE (Afterschool Child Enrichment) program previously provided education savings accounts. However, all ACE funds have been dispersed and applications are now closed. Families who received funding could use those funds through September 1, 2025. ACE funds were not considered taxable income.

Federal Options

• Coverdell Education Savings Accounts: Save up to $2,000 per year per child with tax-free growth and withdrawals for educational expenses including curriculum and supplies.
• 529 Plans: As of 2026, federal law allows up to $20,000 in annual withdrawals from 529 accounts for qualified K-12 education expenses, including a broader range of homeschooling expenses.
• Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program: The Educational Choice for Children Act (part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 2025) allows taxpayers a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700 per year for donations to certified scholarship-granting organizations. These organizations award scholarships to K-12 families that can cover curriculum, textbooks, online courses, tutoring, and technology. Ohio families can benefit if the state opts in to the program.