My Learning Source Kansas › Homeschooling in Kansas › Kansas Homeschool Options — Non-Accredited Private School Law, Where Kansas Stands on School Choice, Activities, Excel in CTE and College Aid

Kansas Homeschool Options — Non-Accredited Private School Law, Where Kansas Stands on School Choice, Activities, Excel in CTE and College Aid

Kansas has no homeschool statute. A Kansas homeschool runs as a non-accredited private school. You register the school's name and address once with the Kansas State Board of Education, at no cost, and the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) does not approve or review it. Courses must be taught by a competent instructor. The school must run for about as long as public schools do, which KSDE puts at 186 days, or 1,116 hours a year for grades 1–11. We found no state testing or reporting requirement for these schools. On school choice, Kansas has one private-choice program: a tax-credit scholarship of up to $8,000 a school year for lower-income students at accredited private schools, which homeschoolers can't use. Kansas has no education savings account and no state money for homeschool costs. In April 2026 the Legislature overrode Governor Kelly's veto of SB 361, so Kansas takes part in the new federal scholarship tax credit starting in 2027. Since 2022, every school district must also let a non-accredited private school student enroll part time in its courses, programs or services.

Notice to the state	Register your homeschool once with the Kansas State Board of Education as a non-accredited private school: the school's name and address and the name and address of the official custodian of its records (K.S.A. 72-4346; KSDE fact sheet). There is no fee, no approval and no review, and KSDE sends no confirmation, so keep a copy. If your child is leaving a school, tell that school; if a student just stops coming, the school must report the student as truant (KSDE).
Teacher and school term	Courses must be taught by a competent instructor, and no state teaching license is required (KSDE). The school must run for a period substantially equal to the time public schools in your district are in session (K.S.A. 72-3120). KSDE says that means at least 186 days of at least 6 hours a day, or 1,116 hours a year, for grades 1–11. We found no law requiring state testing or reports for a non-accredited private school.
Compulsory school age	From 7 until 18, unless the child has a high school diploma, GED or high school equivalency credential (K.S.A. 72-3120). A child under 7 who is enrolled in school must attend, but a parent may withdraw the child at any time until age 7. Some 16- and 17-year-olds can be exempted, for example with written parent consent and a final counseling session at the school.
School choice status	As of October 2026, Kansas has one private-choice program: the Tax Credit for Low Income Students Scholarship Program, for accredited private schools only. Kansas has no ESA, voucher or homeschool funding. ESA bills failed in 2023 (House Sub. for SB 83) and died in 2024 (SB 469). A 2026 bill raising the state scholarship credit cap to 5 million (HB 2468) was vetoed, and the veto stood. SB 361, opting Kansas into the federal scholarship tax credit, became law on April 9, 2026, when both chambers overrode Governor Kelly's veto.
Tax credit scholarship: who and how much	Kansas resident students with household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines who were in a public school (kindergarten–grade 8) the year before, or are eligible to enroll in public school and are 7 or younger. Current recipients stay eligible until they graduate or turn 21. A scholarship is up to $8,000 per school year and is paid to an accredited private school (K.S.A. 72-4352, 72-4353). In 2024–25, 2,678 students received scholarships totaling $7,954,838 (KSDE).
Federal scholarship tax credit (from 2027)	Kansas is on the IRS list of states taking part for 2027 (as of October 22, 2026). Starting January 1, 2027, an individual may claim a federal credit of up to ,700 ($3,400 if filing jointly) for cash gifts to a qualifying scholarship granting organization. The State Treasurer must give the U.S. Treasury a yearly list of qualifying Kansas organizations (SB 361; KDOR Notice 26-10). As of October 31, 2026, we had not found that list.
Homeschool status	Homeschoolers can't use the state tax credit scholarship, which pays only accredited private schools. No state program pays for homeschool costs. What homeschool families can use: part-time public school enrollment (K.S.A. 72-3120(h)), KSHSAA activities at the resident public school (K.S.A. 72-7121), tuition-free Excel in CTE courses at Kansas technical and community colleges, dual credit set by each college, and special education evaluations from the school district.

Where Kansas stands on school choice (October 2026)

What exists: Kansas has one private school choice program, the Tax Credit for Low Income Students Scholarship Program (K.S.A. 72-4351 to 72-4357), in place since January 1, 2015. Donors who give to a scholarship granting organization (SGO) can claim a credit of 75% of the gift against Kansas income tax, bank privilege tax or insurance premium tax, on up to $500,000 of gifts per taxpayer a year. Total credits are capped at

0 million a tax year. SGOs award scholarships of up to $8,000 a school year to students from households at or below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines. The money goes to accredited private schools. In 2024–25, KSDE reports 2,678 students received scholarships totaling $7,954,838, about

,970 per student on average, at 105 private schools. Twelve SGOs were certified for 2025.

What doesn't exist: Kansas has no education savings account (ESA), no voucher and no state grant, credit or deduction for homeschool costs. The state scholarship can't be used by a homeschool, because it pays only qualified schools, which must be accredited. KSDE provides no books, curriculum materials or curriculum help to non-accredited private schools.

ESA bills that failed: in 2023 the House passed a substitute for SB 83 that would have created education savings accounts under a "Sunflower education equity act," 64–61 on March 15, 2023. On April 6, 2023 the House adopted a conference committee report on the bill 65–58, but the Senate rejected it 17–20, and no ESA became law. HB 2218 (2023) and SB 469 (2024), both ESA bills, died in committee. We found no ESA bill on the Legislature's 2025–2026 bill list.

Tax credit scholarship expansions that failed, 2025–2026: SB 87 would have expanded student eligibility and raised the donor credit. It passed the Senate 24–16 on February 19, 2025 and was stricken from the House calendar on March 21, 2025. HB 2136, SB 252, SB 386 and HB 2680 (which would have renamed the program the "Kansas K-12 students scholarship program" and moved it to the State Treasurer) died in committee. HB 2468 would have opted Kansas into the federal credit and raised the state cap from

0 million to

5 million. The Legislature passed it in March 2026, but Governor Kelly vetoed it, and on April 10, 2026 the House made no motion to reconsider, so the veto stood.

The federal tax credit decision: the Legislature then passed SB 361, which only opts Kansas into the federal tax credit for individual gifts to scholarship granting organizations (Internal Revenue Code section 25F), for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026. The conference committee report passed the House 87–37 and the Senate 29–10 on March 27, 2026. Governor Kelly vetoed it on April 8, 2026, saying the program needed review of its effect on public school funding. On April 9, 2026 the Senate (29–10) and the House (85–38) overrode the veto. It is 2026 Session Laws chapter 147. The Department of Revenue says the law took effect July 1, 2026. The State Treasurer must send the U.S. Treasury a yearly list of qualifying Kansas SGOs, and no state agency may adopt rules stricter than federal law. Kansas is on the IRS list of participating states for 2027.

What it means for homeschool families: today, the Kansas scholarship and the new federal credit both run through scholarship granting organizations, not through families. Neither gives a homeschool family a state account or reimbursement. The federal credit gives donors up to

,700 ($3,400 joint) back starting January 1, 2027. Whether any Kansas SGO will offer scholarships that cover homeschool costs depends on federal rules and on each SGO, and that isn't settled. Ask an SGO directly before counting on it.

What's next: the 2025–2026 biennium is over, and the bills that didn't pass are marked dead on the Legislature's site. As of October 31, 2026 we found no official notice of 2027 school choice bills. We'll update this section when the 2027 session's bills are filed.

Homeschooling in Kansas: the basics

Legal route: KSDE says Kansas law does not specifically authorize "home instruction" or "homeschooling," but it does recognize non-accredited private schools, and all homeschools are classified as non-accredited private schools. A non-accredited private elementary or secondary school is one that regularly offers education at the elementary or secondary level, satisfies the compulsory attendance law, and is not accredited by the State Board of Education (K.S.A. 72-4345).
Registration: the school's official custodian of records registers the school's name and address with the State Board of Education (K.S.A. 72-4346). Do it once, online, using KSDE's Non-Accredited Private Schools form. KSDE recommends a computer or tablet rather than a phone. Use the same form to update a name or address or to mark the school "Non-Active" when it closes. KSDE has a separate form to request a copy of your registration letter.
Why registration exists: the law says the purpose is solely to let a public, accredited or other private school that a student transfers to find the school the student came from, so it can ask for the student's records (K.S.A. 72-4347).
Teacher: courses must be taught by a competent instructor (K.S.A. 72-3120). KSDE says non-accredited private schools are not required to employ state-licensed teachers.
School term: instruction must last a period substantially equivalent to the time public school is in session in your district (K.S.A. 72-3120). KSDE's guidance is at least 186 days of at least 6 hours a day, or 1,116 hours a year, for grades 1–11. Public schools may count 1,086 hours for grade 12 (K.S.A. 72-3115).
Curriculum: you choose and buy your own books and materials. KSDE supplies no books, curriculum, guidelines or technical help. KSDE says you may buy from private sources, borrow from the public library, or rent from the public school if the district agrees. Kansas curricular standards are posted by KSDE as guidelines only.
Compulsory age: 7 until 18, unless the child has a diploma, GED or high school equivalency credential (K.S.A. 72-3120). A child under 7 who is enrolled in school must attend, but the parent may withdraw the child at any time until age 7. A 16- or 17-year-old may be exempt in limited cases, such as with written parent consent plus a final counseling session at the school, or through an approved alternative program.
Withdrawing from public school: register the homeschool, then tell the school your child is changing schools. KSDE says if a student just stops coming, the school is required by law to report the student as truant. Keep a copy of your registration for your records and for the school your child is leaving. A school's truancy report goes to the Department for Children and Families or the county or district attorney after written notice to the parent (K.S.A. 72-3121).
Testing and reporting: we found no Kansas law requiring a non-accredited private school to give state tests or report scores, attendance or grades to the state. KSDE's special education handbook says a child enrolled by the parents in a private school follows that school's requirements on the state assessment.

Records, transcripts, diplomas and going back to school

Records: Kansas law defines a non-accredited private school's "pupil records" and names an "official custodian" for them (K.S.A. 72-4345), but it doesn't list what you must keep. KSDE urges accurate and complete records of each student's progress, because you'll need them if your child transfers to a public or accredited school or applies to college. Many families keep an attendance log of days and hours, a list of courses and materials, work samples, and grades or test results.

Graduation and diplomas: private schools, including non-accredited ones, issue their own high school diplomas. KSDE says these diplomas are not recognized by the state as meeting any requirements, and the state does not issue diplomas. KSDE recommends the graduation minimum used by accredited schools: 4 units of English language arts, 3 of history and government, 3 of science, 3 of mathematics, 1 of physical education, 1 of fine arts and 6 of electives.

Going back to public or accredited school: the accredited school is not required to accept credits from a non-accredited private school and may test your child to decide what to accept (KSDE fact sheet). Bring your records. The receiving school can ask the State Board for your school's registration so it can request records from you (K.S.A. 72-4346).

College admission: colleges set their own admission rules for graduates of non-accredited private schools. KSDE notes that many may ask for a GED or other criteria, so check each college's homeschool admission page early. The Kansas State Scholarship relies on the Kansas Scholars Curriculum and the ACT (see below), so plan high school courses with that in mind.

Part-time public school classes and KSHSAA activities

Part-time enrollment (K.S.A. 72-3120(h), since 2022): every school board must let a child enroll part time in the district to attend any courses, programs or services the district offers, if the child is also enrolled in a non-accredited private school (or another private school), asks to enroll part time, and meets the age rules for school attendance. Each board must adopt a part-time enrollment policy and post it on the district's website. The district must make a good-faith effort to meet scheduling requests but doesn't have to meet every one. Find your district's policy on its website before you ask.

Activities at your resident public school (K.S.A. 72-7121): a student enrolled in and attending a nonpublic school (which includes a non-accredited private school) or a virtual school may take part in any activity the district offers that the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) regulates. The student must live in the district and use the school that serves their attendance area. They must meet the school health certification rule (K.S.A. 72-6262), meet KSHSAA's age and eligibility rules that don't conflict with the statute, and pay the same fees as other participants.

Academic eligibility for homeschool students: a student attending a home school is treated as meeting KSHSAA's academic eligibility if the student is making satisfactory progress toward the next grade and the parent, teacher or instructing organization submits an affidavit or transcript to KSHSAA saying so. The eligibility then lasts for that activity season (K.S.A. 72-7121(c)).

What the district can still require: the same tryouts and participation rules as everyone else. It can also require a particular course as a condition of participation, if every participant must take it. A student who leaves the district for a non-accredited private, accredited private or virtual school is not eligible for full participation right away under KSHSAA rules, unless the student was eligible and taking part in that activity at the school on the day they withdrew. Limited participation may be allowed.

Since 2025 (SB 114, approved April 7, 2025): participating students may also take part in district-sponsored events, ceremonies and programs directly related to their activity. Each board sets policy for events not directly related to it. A participating student has the same rights and responsibilities as any other participant, and the district and KSHSAA may not discriminate against a student because of enrollment status.

New in 2026 (SB 382, approved April 9, 2026): a nonpublic school, such as a private school, may choose to let a Kansas resident student enrolled in a non-accredited private school take part in its KSHSAA activities. The student must meet KSHSAA's age and eligibility rules and pay the same fees. The nonpublic school's governing body decides whether to allow it and whether the student meets KSHSAA's academic rules. It may require courses and tryouts that apply to all participants. This is permission, not a requirement. SB 515, which also covered this, died in the House in 2026.

Virtual school is a different choice: Kansas virtual schools are for-credit programs offered by school districts under the virtual school act (K.S.A. 72-3712). A virtual school student is enrolled in that school rather than in a non-accredited private school, and virtual school students take state assessments through their virtual school (SB 382, 2026).

Dual credit and Excel in CTE

Excel in CTE (K.S.A. 72-3810): Kansas technical colleges, community colleges and the Washburn Institute of Technology may not charge tuition to a secondary student in an approved career technical education course. The state pays the colleges instead, as far as the money the Legislature provides allows. Colleges may charge fees for things like books, tools and protective gear. The law defines a secondary student as one without a diploma or GED who is regularly enrolled in and attending a public or private secondary school. Kansas treats a homeschool as a private school, and Cowley College, for example, says qualified juniors and seniors from public, private and homeschool high schools are eligible. Ask the college about its homeschool paperwork and any age rules.

Other dual credit: the Kansas challenge to secondary school students act (K.S.A. 72-3220 to 72-3224) covers agreements between school districts and colleges for district students in grades 10–12. Under it, students pay the tuition the district negotiates unless the district chooses to pay. A homeschool student who isn't enrolled in a district applies to the college on the college's own terms, so ask each college about homeschool admission, placement tests and tuition. Cowley College, for example, lists dual enrollment for sophomores, juniors and seniors, at $75 per credit hour for Kansas students; its page doesn't name homeschool students or state the academic year, so confirm both. A student with a part-time district enrollment under K.S.A. 72-3120(h) can ask whether the district's college partnership courses are open to them.

Compulsory attendance and college: a 16- or 17-year-old who is regularly enrolled in a school and also concurrently enrolled at a Kansas postsecondary institution is exempt from the attendance law, and college hours count toward "regularly enrolled" (K.S.A. 72-3120(b)(3), (i)(3)).

For vendors: taking part

Kansas homeschool families pay you directly, and there's no state approval for selling to them. Kansas has no ESA or homeschool funding program, so there's no state vendor list or marketplace for homeschool spending.

The state's tax credit scholarship doesn't create vendor sales. Scholarships go to accredited private schools for tuition, fees and related school costs, not to families or outside vendors (K.S.A. 72-4352, 72-4354).

Watch the federal scholarship tax credit. From January 1, 2027, donors can claim up to

,700 ($3,400 joint) for gifts to qualifying scholarship granting organizations, and Kansas takes part (SB 361). What those scholarships may pay for, and whether any reach homeschool families or their vendors, depends on federal rules and each SGO. The State Treasurer's list of qualifying Kansas SGOs had not been published as of October 31, 2026.

What sells now: curriculum, tutoring and test prep for families building a transcript, ACT prep tied to the Kansas State Scholarship, driver education (required for a Kansas restricted license at 15), therapies, STEM, arts, and classes that help families meet a school term of about 1,116 hours.

Listing on My Learning Source is separate from any state or scholarship program — you don't need one to have the other, and families find you here either way.

Other Kansas programs: college aid, driver's licenses and special education

Kansas State Scholarship (Kansas Board of Regents): for students designated Kansas State Scholars in their senior year. To be in the pool, take the ACT by December of senior year and complete the Kansas Scholars Curriculum: 4 years of English, 4 of math (including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II and one advanced unit), 3 of lab science (biology, chemistry and physics), 3 of social studies and 2 years of one world language. Designation combines the ACT composite with the seventh-semester GPA, and about half of the roughly 5,000 seniors who complete the curriculum each year are designated. For 2026–27, State Scholars may get up to

,000 a year based on need. File the FAFSA and the State of Kansas Student Aid Application each year; the 2026–27 deadline was July 1. KBOR's sheet says a school counselor or registrar normally reports curriculum completion, so a homeschool family should ask KBOR how to report it.

Kansas Comprehensive Grant: need-based aid for Kansas residents enrolled full time at the six state universities, Washburn University or eligible private Kansas colleges. There's no separate application; list an eligible Kansas college on the FAFSA. KBOR's page lists no high school type requirement.

Kansas Promise Act Scholarship: a last-dollar award for tuition, required fees, books and materials in approved high-demand programs at Kansas community and technical colleges, Washburn Tech and certain private colleges. The lifetime cap is 68 credit hours or

0,000. Recipients must live and work in Kansas for two years after finishing, or repay the award. Household income limits apply. KBOR lists graduates of "a Kansas public or private high school" within the past 12 months, so a homeschool graduate should confirm eligibility with KBOR or the college. The spring 2027 deadline is March 1, 2027, and awards are first come, first served.

Driver's licenses (Kansas Department of Revenue): an instruction permit is available at 14, with parent approval at 14 and 15, by passing vision and written tests or showing a driver education certificate. A licensed adult 21 or older must sit in the front seat. A restricted license at 15 requires driver education, parent approval and a permit held at least one year, plus at least 25 hours of supervised driving at 15 and 50 hours, certified by affidavit, before 16. A farm permit is available at 14 or 15 with a farm affidavit. A less-restricted license comes at 16 and a full license at 17. KDOR's page lists no school-attendance documents, though some restricted licenses allow driving to the "school of enrollment."

Special education: every school district must locate, identify and evaluate children with exceptionalities who live in the district, and KSDE's child find guidance names home-schooled children. Ask your resident district for an evaluation in writing. For services, KSDE's Special Education Process Handbook (Chapter 14, June 2026) says the private school definitions behind Kansas's stronger private school services law (K.S.A. 72-3461, 72-3462) do not include home schooling. Under federal law a parentally placed child has no individual right to services. One route to services is part-time enrollment, since K.S.A. 72-3120(h) covers a district's "courses, programs or services." Ask your district how it serves part-time students with IEPs.

Taxes: we found no Kansas income tax credit or deduction for homeschool expenses. The Kansas scholarship credit goes to donors who give to SGOs, not to parents for their own children's costs.

Sports: KSHSAA rules and private school teams

KSHSAA rules that still apply (2026–27 KSHSAA Handbook): no student may take part in interscholastic athletics until a physical examination form is completed and filed with the school before the first tryout or practice. The form is signed by a physician, chiropractor, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse, and by a parent giving permission (Rule 7). Kansas law also requires the athlete and a parent to sign and return a concussion and head injury release form each school year.

A student who turns 19 on or before August 1 is ineligible for high school activities (Rule 17). A student has no more than eight consecutive semesters of possible eligibility in grades 9–12 (Rule 16). A student who completes a GED is treated as a graduate and has no eligibility left (Rule 14).

Private school teams: KSHSAA's 2026–27 Handbook lists SB 382 as enrolled as statute for the 2026–27 school year. Under it, a nonpublic school may let a Kansas resident enrolled in a non-accredited private school take part in its KSHSAA activities. The student must meet KSHSAA age and eligibility rules and pay the school's usual fees. The school's governing body decides whether to allow it and whether the student meets KSHSAA's academic rules. It is the school's choice, not a right.

Official sources

My Learning Source is an independent marketplace. We are not affiliated with the Kansas State Department of Education, the Kansas State Board of Education, the Kansas Legislature, the Office of the Governor, the Kansas Department of Revenue, the Kansas State Treasurer, the Kansas Board of Regents, KSHSAA, any scholarship granting organization, any college or university, or any Kansas school district, and a listing here does not mean a vendor is approved by, or paid through, any state or scholarship program. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.

As of October 2026.

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