| State | Required Subjects | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | Varies by homeschool option |
| Alaska | No specific subjects required | Very flexible |
| Arizona | Reading, Grammar, Math, Social Studies, Science | |
| Arkansas | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | |
| California | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | Private school model |
| Colorado | Reading, Writing, Math, History, Civics, Science, Literature | |
| Connecticut | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | Not strictly enforced |
| Delaware | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | |
| Florida | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | Sequential instruction required |
| Georgia | Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies | |
| Hawaii | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | |
| Idaho | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | |
| Illinois | Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Fine Arts | |
| Indiana | No specific subjects required | Instruction required |
| Iowa | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | Varies by option |
| Kansas | No specific subjects required | |
| Kentucky | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | |
| Louisiana | Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies | |
| Maine | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) + Health | |
| Maryland | Core Subjects + Art, Music, Health | |
| Massachusetts | Core Subjects + PE, Art, Music | |
| Michigan | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | |
| Minnesota | Core Subjects + Health, PE, Fine Arts | |
| Mississippi | No specific subjects required | |
| Missouri | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | |
| Montana | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | |
| Nebraska | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | |
| Nevada | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | |
| New Hampshire | Core Subjects + Health, PE | |
| New Jersey | No specific subjects required | |
| New Mexico | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | |
| New York | Core Subjects + Health, Art, Music, PE | Highly structured |
| North Carolina | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | |
| North Dakota | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | |
| Ohio | Core Subjects + Health, PE | |
| Oklahoma | No specific subjects required | |
| Oregon | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | |
| Pennsylvania | Core Subjects + Art, Music, PE, Health | Detailed requirements |
| Rhode Island | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | |
| South Carolina | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | Varies by option |
| South Dakota | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | |
| Tennessee | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | |
| Texas | Reading, Spelling, Grammar, Math, Civics | |
| Utah | No specific subjects required | |
| Vermont | Core Subjects + Health, PE | |
| Virginia | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | |
| Washington | Core Subjects + Occupational Education | |
| West Virginia | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | |
| Wisconsin | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) | |
| Wyoming | Core Subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies) |
*This chart provides a simplified overview of homeschool subject requirements by state. Laws can change and may vary based on your situation, so always verify with your state’s official guidelines.
Core subjects include Math, Reading, Writing, Science, and Social Studies. These are the most commonly expected subject areas across the United States, even in states with very flexible homeschooling laws.
What Does “Varies by Option” Mean?
In some states, there is more than one legal way to homeschool. These are often called “options” or “pathways.”
Each option may have slightly different requirements, including:
- Subjects you’re expected to teach
- Record-keeping rules
- Testing or evaluation requirements
What Does “Sequential Instruction Required” Mean?
“Sequential instruction” simply means that learning should happen in a logical, step-by-step order over time.
What That Looks Like in Practice
Instead of jumping around randomly, your child’s learning should:
- Build on previous knowledge
- Progress from simple concepts to more advanced ones
- Follow a general structure over time