Indiana Homeschool Curriculum Requirements by Subject

Indiana stands out for having virtually no curriculum requirements. Unlike many states that mandate specific subjects or grade-level benchmarks, Indiana homeschoolers operate under a simple legal standard: provide an “equivalent education” in English. This page clarifies what Indiana actually requires and what parents typically choose.

Key Takeaways

• No specific subjects required by Indiana law for homeschoolers
• English language instruction is the only mandated subject
• Indiana Academic Standards do NOT apply to homeschools
• “Equivalent education” is broadly interpreted—parents have full curriculum control
• Most families cover core academics: English, math, science, social studies, health/PE

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What Indiana Actually Requires

Indiana Code §20-33-2 requires homeschooled students receive an “equivalent education” and attend 180 days of instruction. Critically:

• No required subjects list
• No grade-level expectations
• No minimum hours per subject
• No specified textbooks or curricula
• No scope and sequence mandate

The only explicit curriculum requirement: instruction must be in English.

The “Equivalent Education” Standard

“Equivalent education” is intentionally vague and provides parents flexibility. Courts have upheld broad interpretations, allowing parents to design curriculum around their child’s interests, learning style, and family philosophy.

This is intentional—Indiana law prioritizes parental rights in education.

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What Most Indiana Families Teach (By Choice, Not Law)

While not required, most Indiana homeschoolers teach core academic subjects:

Core Academics

• English/Language Arts: Reading, writing, grammar, literature, speech
• Mathematics: Arithmetic through calculus
• Science: Natural sciences, life sciences, earth science, physical science
• Social Studies: History, geography, civics, economics
• Health/Physical Education: Health concepts, fitness

Enrichment Subjects (Optional)

• Fine arts (visual art, music, drama)
• World languages (Spanish, Latin, ASL)
• Practical skills (cooking, budgeting, life skills)
• Technology/Computer science
• Electives (photography, journalism, engineering, career-focused courses)

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Subject-by-Subject Breakdown: What’s Common vs. Required

English Language Arts (Not Required—Instruction Must Be in English)

Required: Language must be English. Subject of instruction is not mandated.

What families typically cover:

• Reading comprehension and literature
• Writing (narrative, persuasive, research)
• Grammar and mechanics
• Speaking and listening
• Vocabulary development

Grade-level expectations: Parents decide. Some use grade-level progression; others use mastery-based or ability-based pacing.

Resources: Abeka, BJU, Veritas Press, classical curricula, Charlotte Mason approaches all vary in scope.

Mathematics (Not Required But Nearly Universal)

Required: None by law.

What families typically cover:

• K-5: Number sense, operations, basic geometry, measurement
• 6-8: Pre-algebra, ratios, basic geometry
• 9-12: Algebra I, geometry, algebra II, precalculus, calculus

Pacing: Parents choose. Some accelerate; others go slower. Multiage families often combine levels.

Resources: Saxon Math, Art of Problem Solving, Beast Academy, Khan Academy, Veritas Press

Science (Not Required)

Required: None by law.

What families typically cover:

• Elementary: Life science, earth science, physical science, nature study
• Middle school: Biology, earth science, physical science concepts
• High school: Biology, chemistry, physics, AP courses

Lab requirements: Parent choice. Some conduct hands-on labs; others use virtual or conceptual science. No state mandate.

Resources: CK-12 (free), Apologia, classical curricula, online programs (Time4Learning, Outschool)

Social Studies/History (Not Required)

Required: None by law.

What families typically cover:

• Elementary: Community, geography, state history, basic civics
• Middle: State history, U.S. history, world history
• High school: U.S. history, world history, civics, economics, government

Indiana advantage: Many families emphasize Indiana history (Lincoln boyhood, pioneer heritage, covered bridges, underground railroad) as a choice.

Resources: Story of the World, Mystery of History, classical curricula, library-based approaches

Physical Education & Health (Not Required)

Required: None by law.

What families typically do:

• Physical activity through sports, 4-H, community recreation, organized activities
• Health education through curriculum, books, or integrated learning

No minimum hours mandated. Some families use organized sports; others use home-based fitness.

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Grade-Level Expectations: You Decide

Indiana does NOT prescribe grade-level benchmarks for homeschoolers.

Options:

1. Follow public school grade levels: Use grade-level scope-and-sequence (easier comparison for college)
2. Use mixed-age/multigrade approach: Combine grade levels for subjects
3. Use mastery-based progression: Move forward when concepts master, not by grade
4. Use ability-based advancement: Child progresses at their own pace

For high school transcript building: Most colleges expect a 4-year progression. Using grade levels simplifies transcript clarity.

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High School Courses & Credits

Indiana’s unique credit system: 1 year of work in a subject = 2 credits (different from most states’ 0.5 credits per semester).

This affects:

• Transcript building: 40 credits = 4-year high school education (in Indiana’s system)
• College NCAA eligibility: Must meet NCAA core course requirements, but Indiana credits may be counted differently. Review NCAA standards directly.
• College admissions: Most colleges follow traditional credit systems, not Indiana’s. Documentation helps.

Parents create their own course names, determine credits, and assign grades. Maintain detailed records for college applications and transcripts.

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What About Special Subjects?

Foreign Languages: Not required. Taught if family chooses (Latin common in classical curricula).

Arts (Visual Art, Music, Drama): Not required. Many families include; some don’t.

Technology/Computer Science: Growing area. Not required; increasingly popular.

Career/Practical Skills: Not required. Some families emphasize trade skills or career exploration.

Athletics: Not required. Sports participation through community leagues, 4-H, clubs, or public school athletic associations varies by family choice.

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The Flexibility Advantage

Because Indiana has no subject mandates, you can:

• Accelerate in strong subjects
• Slow down on challenging material without falling “behind”
• Combine subjects (literature-based history, math in nature, science through field work)
• Emphasize interests (child loves history? Dive deep without being locked into grade-level pace)
• Adjust for learning differences (no failing grades if you control the pacing)

This flexibility is Indiana’s greatest strength for homeschool customization.

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Best Practices for Documentation

While Indiana doesn’t require curriculum approval or testing, documenting what you teach helps for:

• College applications: Transcripts should list courses taken
• Life situations: Employment, military, future school enrollment
• Your own reference: Knowing what you’ve covered

Keep records of:

• Subjects/courses covered annually
• Books, curricula, programs used
• Grades or assessment notes
• Credits earned (using Indiana’s 1 year = 2 credits)
• Extracurriculars and achievements

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The Bottom Line

Indiana law trusts parents to determine appropriate curriculum. There are no subject requirements, no mandated standards, no testing requirements. Your responsibility is ensuring your child receives an education roughly equivalent in scope to public schooling.

This freedom allows customization but requires parent judgment. Most Indiana families achieve this by teaching core academics with flexibility around enrichment.

Next steps:

• Decide which subjects matter most to your family
• Choose curriculum aligned with your educational philosophy
• Document what you teach
• Adjust annually based on what works