Choice Homeschool
Menu

Homeschool laws · State guide

Homeschooling in Illinois

Illinois treats a homeschool as a private school: families must provide an education at least equivalent to public schooling, with instruction in English in six subject areas and no notice, testing or records required.

Last checkedAgainst Statute + state sources

Illinois at a glanceLevel: No notice

Notice to the state
No
None. ISBE recommends telling your child's current school in writing that you are withdrawing to homeschool, so the child is not reported truant.
Testing
No
None (ISBE: testing is a decision for the homeschool parent).
Record-keeping
Not required
No specific recordkeeping requirement; ISBE strongly encourages keeping good records.
Immunization
Unclear
ISBE treats homeschools as private schools. IDPH requires compliance for homeschoolers attending school classes but does not address full-time homeschooling (2025–2026 guidance, slide 4).
Required subjects
Yes, 6
Language arts, Mathematics, Biological and physical science, Social science (social studies), Fine arts, Physical development and health
Instruction time
Not specified
ISBE: no required number or length of school days
Parent qualifications
Teacher must be competent
ISBE, citing People v. Levisen
Compulsory school age
6 (on or before September 1) to 17
105 ILCS 5/26-1

Ways to homeschool here: Private or parochial school, which ISBE says includes homeschooling (105 ILCS 5/26-1)

Choice Homeschool works hard to keep every state guide accurate and up to date, but laws change. If something here has changed or is missing, please let us know, ideally with a link to the official source, and we’ll recheck it.

Overview

Under 105 ILCS 5/26-1, children attending a private or parochial school where they are taught the branches of education taught in public schools, in English, are exempt from public school attendance. ISBE states that in Illinois ‘a homeschool student is considered to be attending a private school’ and that ‘the only specific requirement is that certain subject areas be taught.’

ISBE also explains that the teacher must be competent and the student must receive an education at least equivalent to public schooling (People v. Levisen; 105 ILCS 5/26-1).

Requirements at a glance

  • Notice: None. ISBE no longer collects homeschool forms; some Regional Offices of Education (and Chicago Public Schools) offer a voluntary form. ISBE recommends telling your child’s current school in writing that you are withdrawing to homeschool so the child is not reported truant.
  • Testing or assessment: None (ISBE: testing is a decision for the homeschool parent).
  • Records: No specific recordkeeping requirement; ISBE strongly encourages keeping good records.
  • Subjects: Language arts, Mathematics, Biological and physical science, Social science (social studies), Fine arts, Physical development and health
  • Instruction time: Not specified (ISBE: no required number or length of school days)
  • Parent/teacher qualifications: Teacher must be competent (ISBE, citing People v. Levisen)
  • Compulsory attendance ages: 6 (on or before September 1) to 17 (105 ILCS 5/26-1)

Homeschooled students may attend their local public school part time if requested by May 1 of the previous school year, space is available, and they live in the attendance zone (105 ILCS 5/10-20.24, per ISBE). Districts teaching grades 9–12 must offer driver’s education to eligible homeschooled students who register by April 1 (per ISBE).

Sources

This page summarizes the statutes and official pages listed in the sources block, as read on the last-checked date. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm current requirements with your state or local education agency.