Illinois is low-regulation: homeschools operate as private schools with no registration or testing, provided children are taught the required branches of education in English.
Homeschooling is legal in Illinois, where a homeschool is treated as a private school — a principle settled by the Illinois Supreme Court decades ago in People v. Levisen. That status means no registration, no testing, and no reporting, as long as you teach the required branches of education in the English language.
The state does offer a voluntary registration form for home schools, but it is optional. Because homeschool rules occasionally attract new legislation, it is worth glancing at the Illinois State Board of Education's homeschool page once a year to confirm nothing has changed.
Teach the branches of education taught to children of corresponding age and grade in public schools: language arts, mathematics, biological and physical sciences, social sciences, fine arts, and physical development and health — in English.
None required. ISBE's home school registration form exists but is voluntary. If withdrawing a child from public school, do it in writing so records close cleanly and no truancy referral is triggered.
Illinois requires no standardized testing and no records submission. Keep your own attendance, course outlines, and work samples — if a truancy question ever arises, showing an organized program resolves it fast.
Withdraw your child from their current school in writing (keep a copy).
Map your program to the Illinois branches: language arts, math, sciences, social sciences, fine arts, and health/physical development.
Decide whether to file ISBE's voluntary registration form — most families do not, and either choice is legal.
Keep simple records: attendance, curriculum list, and periodic samples of work per child.
Choose a curriculum that covers all the required branches and documents progress automatically, so your program's legitimacy is self-evident on paper.
Whatever Illinois asks for — attendance, subject coverage, progress evidence, transcripts — Cullinan Academy tracks it automatically as your kids learn: verified mastery records, time-on-task, printable transcripts with GPA, and state report templates. No spreadsheet required.
No. Registration with ISBE is voluntary. Your homeschool is legally a private school without any filing.
No. Illinois does not require standardized tests or evaluations for homeschooled students.
The branches taught in public schools: language arts, math, biological and physical sciences, social sciences, fine arts, and physical development and health, taught in English.
Respond calmly with evidence of your program — curriculum list, attendance, and work samples. An organized private-school-at-home showing generally ends the inquiry.
Homeschool-related bills surface periodically in Springfield. Current law remains the private school framework, but check ISBE's homeschool guidance annually to stay current.
You issue it as the administrator of your private school, with a transcript you maintain. Illinois homeschool graduates attend state universities regularly.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Homeschool law changes, and districts sometimes apply it differently. Verify current requirements with your state's department of education or a local homeschool association before filing anything. Content last reviewed 2026-07.