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Kansas Homeschool Laws

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byM Lycurgus

Kansas has no separate homeschool law. Instead, your homeschool runs as a nonaccredited private school. This is the only legal option. First, choose a name for your school. Second, register its name and address with the Kansas State Board of Education. You register only once, and there is no fee or approval step. Kansas requires school for children from age 7 until they turn 18. A child of 16 or 17 may be excused with written parent consent and a final school counseling session. If your child leaves a public school to homeschool, keep a copy of your registration to show the school.

Day to day, Kansas gives families wide freedom. The law sets no required subjects. Still, your teaching should be planned and scheduled, with periodic testing. Your school should meet about as long as public schools, usually 186 days a year. The teacher must be competent, but no license is needed. No attendance form is required, but good records help if your child changes schools. Homeschoolers may enroll part-time in public school classes. They may also join public school activities run by the state activities association, including sports. In addition, a 2026 law lets private schools open their activities to homeschoolers. For full details on each topic, open the sections below.

Children who are 7 and under 18 must attend a public school or a private, denominational, or parochial school taught by a competent instructor, unless they have a high school diploma or equivalent credential (K.S.A. 72-3120; HSLDA: Compulsory School Age in Kansas). A child under 7 who is enrolled in school is subject to the law until withdrawn.

A child who is 16 or 17 is exempt if, among other options, the parent gives written consent and the child and parent attend a final counseling session with the school (K.S.A. 72-3120(b)).

Kansas homeschools operate as nonaccredited private schools (NAPS) registered under K.S.A. 72-4345 through 72-4347 (Kansas State Department of Education: NAPS registration; HSLDA).

No state test or portfolio review is required. HSLDA notes that the law requires your instruction to be planned and scheduled, and it advises testing your student periodically (HSLDA: How to Comply with Kansas’ Homeschool Law). HSLDA’s summary lists Kansas assessment requirements as “periodic” (HSLDA: Kansas Homeschool Laws).

None required by law. HSLDA notes that most schools teach at least reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, spelling, English grammar and composition, civil government, U.S. and Kansas history, patriotism and the duties of a citizen, health, and hygiene (HSLDA).

Register your school’s name and address once with the State Board of Education using KSDE’s online nonaccredited private school registration form. You do not register every year. Use the same form to update a name or address or to mark the school inactive. There is no approval process and no cost. KSDE sends no follow-up after you submit, so print or save your registration confirmation (KSDE registration form).

HSLDA advises always referring to your homeschool as a private school when dealing with officials (HSLDA). Questions about the form: (785) 368-7088 (KSDE).

Kansas does not prescribe an attendance form. Instruction must last for a period substantially equivalent to the local public school term (K.S.A. 72-3120). HSLDA notes this is usually 186 days (HSLDA). Keeping your own attendance and course records is wise in case your child later transfers or applies to college.

None. Your homeschool is its own registered nonaccredited private school (HSLDA).

No license is required, but courses must be taught by competent instructors. That can include you as the parent (HSLDA; HSLDA).

Yes. School districts must allow a child enrolled in a nonaccredited private school to enroll part-time in district courses, programs, or services (HSLDA: Public School Access for Homeschoolers in Kansas, quoting K.S.A. 72-3120(h)).

Homeschool students who live in the district may join activities regulated by the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA), including most sports, at the school for their attendance area. They pay the same fees as other participants. Academic eligibility is met when the student is making satisfactory progress and the parent or teacher submits an affidavit or transcript to the association (K.S.A. 72-7121; HSLDA). A 2026 legislative audit found 1,307 nonpublic school students, including homeschoolers, took part in public school activities in 2025-26, up from 514 in 2023-24 (Kansas Reflector).

New in 2026: Senate Bill 382 lets a nonpublic school permit nonaccredited private school students to take part in its KSHSAA activities (Kansas Legislature: SB 382; KSHSAA: Non-Enrolled Student Eligibility).

None for homeschools, according to HSLDA (HSLDA: Kansas Homeschool Laws).

Diplomas and records: Your nonaccredited private school keeps its own records and issues its own diploma. Colleges and employers set their own rules for accepting it, so keep transcripts and course descriptions.

2026 legislation: Two bills HSLDA opposed, HB 2717 (school at age 6) and SB 491 (education inspector general), died in 2026. See our Kansas Pending Homeschool Legislation post.

Last reviewed: November 7, 2026

*The information on this page is for general use only. It should not be taken as legal advice. It is believed to be accurate however state and federal laws change every year. Homeschool.net recommends joining an organization such as the Home School Legal Defense Association before your homeschooling adventure begins. HSLDA can provide complete, accurate, legal advice and services for homeschooling families.

Update History

  • November 7, 2026
    • New law: Added 2026 Senate Bill 382, which lets nonpublic schools open their KSHSAA activities to homeschool students (SB 382).
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