Questions You May Have On Illinois Home Schooling (Page 3 of 5) in pdf

10. Are any home school programs accredited by the State Board of Education?

The State Board does not accredit any nonpublic schools. There is a voluntary process for

private schools located in Illinois that wish to pursue registration and/or recognition through this

agency; however, the law excludes home-based schools from this process (105 ILCS 5/2-

3.25o(e)).

11. Is there financial assistance available to help with the costs of home-schooling?

The State Board of Education is not aware of any financial resources designed to help parents

meet home-schooling expenses.

12. May a student attend public school part-time while being home-schooled?

Yes, students may attend their local public school part-time under the following conditions set

forth in the School Code (Section 10-20.24):

• there is sufficient space available in the school;

• you have submitted your request (on behalf of the student) to the school principal by May

1 for the following school year; and

• the course or courses you have requested are part of the school’s regular curriculum.

13. May a home-schooled student take driver’s education through his local public school?

Yes. Illinois school law requires that school districts maintaining grades 9 through 12 shall

provide the classroom course in driver’s education, and an approved course in practice driving,

to eligible students who are attending a non-public school in the district. Home-schooled

students may take driver’s education under the following conditions set forth in the School Code

(Sections 27-24.2 and 27-24.4):

• The chief administrator of the home school must notify the local public district by April 1

of the name of the home-schooled student who wishes to take the driver’s education

course during the next school year.

• The chief administrator of the home school must provide evidence to the public school

that the student has received a passing grade in at least eight courses during the previous

two semesters.

14. May a home-schooled student participate in interscholastic athletics through his/her district

of residence?

Public schools have no obligation to make extracurricular activities, including athletics, open to

students attending private schools. In addition, many Illinois public elementary and high schools

belong to intramural sports organizations, i.e., the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA)

or the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). Both organizations have specific bylaws that

limit the conditions under which home-schooled students may participate in interscholastic

athletics.

(Illinois Elementary School Association)

Questions You May Have On Illinois Home Schooling Page 3