State laws change from time to time and though we try to keep the laws up-to-date at all times please check with the department of education for any changes that may have occurred.
There are many reasons to seriously consider homeschooling: you’re in control of what your children are learning, you get to decide how much time you want to spend on different subjects, you can adapt the material to suit your children’s needs, and you don’t have to worry about your children dealing with schoolyard bullies.
Whether you’ve already made this decision or you just plan to, we’re here to show you how to start homeschooling in Ohio. We’ll help you make full use of the educational potential of Ohio, we’ll let you in on the Ohio homeschooling requirements, and we’ll offer you a diverse range of useful online homeschool resources that will guarantee your homeschooling success. Use the infographic and video below to create a homeschool that thrives.
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The Buckeye State
One of the fastest-growing US economies and a bellwether for the rest of the country, Ohio is filled with educational opportunities for all academic tastes.
If your children love nature, take them hiking through the amazing Hocking Hills State Park, in Logan, or mix flora and fauna in a live biology lesson at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden.
History fans will love Carillon Historical Park and the world-famous National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, both in Dayton.
The Cleveland and the Toledo Museums of Art will take your children on a wonderful trip through the world’s best exhibits, and they’ll love having a ball at the exciting Cedar Point Amusement Park, in Sandusky.
Finally, music lovers will love exploring the famous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, in Cincinnati, or delight their ears with the wonderful Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall.
Ohio Homeschool Laws
There are two ways to homeschool in Ohio: operating as a homeschool, or starting a private school. We’ll discuss each of them in turn, since the requirements are a bit different.
If you decide to start a homeschool, you’ll first have to make sure you have a high school diploma or the equivalent, or work with a person who has a college degree.
You’ll then have to file an Ohio homeschool notification form with the local superintendent, in which you’ll include everything from school year to curricula; you can find more about it here.
The Ohio home school statute requires you to provide at least 900 hours of instruction, and to cover the common public school subjects. Again, you can find a detailed list by clicking the link above.
You’ll have to test your children every year, and submit the results to the local superintendent. Adequate progress is anything above the twenty-fifth percentile.
If you choose to operate as a private school (also known as “08 schools”), you’ll have to file a notice of intent by September 30 of each year. You need to have strong religious beliefs against government oversight in order to opt for this educational path, and you’ll also need a bachelor’s degree.
While there’s no assessment requirements, you’ll need to send in attendance records to the treasurer of the local board of education, and you’ll also have to comply with local fire, health and safety laws.
The compulsory subjects are pretty much the same as with the traditional homeschool, and you’ll have to provide at least 182 days of instruction.
Your children will be able to take part in public school extracurricular activities, enroll part time in the local school. However, they’ll only benefit from public special needs services if you’ve chosen the “08 school” option.
Ohio Homeschool Friendliness Grade: C
We’ve given Ohio a C in terms of homeschool friendliness because the homeschool laws in Ohio tend to be a bit more demanding than the average. However, they’re not absurd, and they’ll help you keep a close track of your children’s progress.
Conclusion
Ohio is a great state to start homeschooling, with plenty of places to organize memorable field trips. The homeschooling community is diverse and very active, and you shouldn’t find it too difficult to get resources and ideas for your daily homeschool practice.
Make sure you follow the Ohio homeschool requirements, and you’re good to go. If you need any extra help on how to homeschool in Ohio, feel free to contact us – we’re always here to help you!
Home schooling in Ohio: Resources
Here’s a selection of websites related to Ohio homeschooling:
www.responsiblehomeschooling.org/policy-issues/current-policy/notification/
http://www.cheohome.org/ - the Christian Home Educators of Ohio provide support and resources to homeschoolers throughout the state
http://www.ohiohomeschoolers.org/ - this organization offers resources and homeschooling events for families who homeschool in Ohio