Kansas graduation requirements: a homeschool parent's guide

Understanding Kansas graduation requirements is one of the first steps toward planning your teen’s homeschool journey. While the state sets specific expectations for public schools, homeschools operate under a different set of rules. In Kansas, parents design the curriculum, set their own graduation standards, and issue their child’s diploma.

Even with all the flexibility Kansas offers, it helps to have a clear framework to follow. If you’d like structured support or enrichment options, Outschool’s live and self-paced classes can make it easier to meet learning goals while keeping your teen engaged and motivated.

What are the graduation requirements in Kansas?

Kansas set a statewide minimum of at least 21 credits to graduate, including core courses in English, math, science, and social studies, plus a 0.5-credit financial literacy requirement. Students must also complete two “postsecondary assets,” which may include options like a senior project, community service hours, or meeting a set benchmark on a standardized assessment. These expectations apply to the class of 2028 and later, though individual districts may have some variations.

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Homeschool families, however, operate as nonaccredited private schools in Kansas. This means you design and issue your teen’s diploma, set your own graduation requirements, and decide what counts as a credit. You can mirror public benchmarks to build strong, college-ready transcripts, or customize your program entirely based on your teen’s learning goals.

To legally homeschool high school in Kansas, parents must:

• Register your homeschool as a nonaccredited private school (NAPS) with the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and print/save your registration submission.
  
  
• Notify your teen’s previous school in writing when you withdraw to homeschool so they aren’t reported truant.
  
  
• Meet compulsory attendance by operating for a period substantially equivalent to public schools, typically 186 days of ~6 hours/day or 1,116 hours for grades 1–11 and 1,086 hours for grade 12.
  
  
• Keep accurate records (attendance, courses, grades, credits) to support transfers, college applications, military enlistment, or employment.

These requirements give families the freedom to build personalized, goal-oriented graduation plans while staying compliant with Kansas state expectations.

How to make your own homeschool credit system

In Kansas, homeschool parents have the flexibility to design their own credit system, which can feel empowering, but also a bit overwhelming at first. Think of credits as a way to measure your teen’s effort and mastery, not just hours on a clock. 

You can use the state’s public school guidelines as a reference while keeping your approach personal and practical.

• What is a credit? A full credit usually equals about 120 hours of focused study or a year-long class, but you can adjust based on your learner’s pace.
  
  
• Half or partial credits: Semester-long or shorter units can count as 0.5 credits. You decide what meets the learning goals.
  
  
• Learning beyond formal classes: Independent projects, volunteer work, and even internships can count toward electives, just keep documentation like hours or portfolios.
  
  
• Mastery over minutes: Some families award credit once their teen demonstrates full understanding, even if it takes more or less time than a typical school year.
  
  
• Stay organized: Keep a running list of subjects and credits earned each year to make transcript building easier later.

By framing credits around both time and mastery, you can create a meaningful graduation plan that reflects your teen’s progress and passions and meets the expectations of colleges or future employers.

How to track progress and build transcripts

Creating a credible homeschool transcript starts with defining clear credit standards and keeping organized, consistent records. Most families use Carnegie units, about 120 instructional hours per credit, but you can also award credits based on skill mastery. 

To stay on track:

• List details on your transcript: Include course titles by year, credit values, grades, GPA scale, and expected graduation date.
  
  
• Add a school profile: Describe your homeschool’s philosophy and grading approach to help colleges or future employers understand your program.
  
  
• Log progress monthly: Spend 15 minutes recording instructional hours, updating grades, and saving key work samples.
  
  
• Keep legal documentation: Follow KSDE guidance and HSLDA recommendations for compliance.

This simple structure keeps records accurate and stress-free while building a transcript that colleges and employers recognize.

Helpful resources for Kansas homeschool families

Here are some trusted links you can use as you plan and document your teen’s homeschool high school path:

• KSDE-Nonaccredited Private Schools: Register your homeschool and understand how Kansas classifies nonaccredited private schools.
  
  
• KSDE- Homeschooling Information: Fact sheet outlining Kansas homeschool law, compulsory attendance, notification, and record-keeping requirements.
  
  
• Online Classes: Live and self‑paced classes that can support core subjects, electives, or interest‑driven learning in your graduation plan.

Kansas graduation requirements: Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Planning your teen's graduation path brings up practical questions about diploma recognition, college acceptance, and meeting requirements that matter for their future. These answers address the most common concerns families face when designing a homeschool high school program.

Who issues my teen’s diploma when homeschooling in Kansas?

Because Kansas treats homeschools as nonaccredited private schools, you issue your teen’s diploma through your homeschool program. Colleges, employers, and the military look at the diploma alongside a clear transcript, course descriptions, and any required test scores. If you want a state‑issued diploma, your teen would need to graduate from a public school or an accredited private school.

What credits and subjects should we plan for to keep my teen on track?

When homeschooling in Kansas, you set your own graduation plan. Some families use the public‑school minimum of 21 units as a helpful benchmark and then adapt it to fit their teen’s goals and pace. If your teen has a specific next step in mind, check those requirements early and shape your plan accordingly.

What should our homeschool transcript include so colleges and employers understand it?

List courses by year, with credits, final grades, GPA scale, and expected graduation date. Add a short school profile explaining your grading and philosophy, and include dual‑enrollment credits, test scores, certifications, or major projects. Keep it clear and consistent. College admissions staff value documentation that is simple, well-organized, and straightforward to evaluate.

Can my teen take public school or virtual classes while homeschooling?

Yes. Many districts allow part‑time enrollment for specific classes or activities. Statewide virtual options include Kansas Virtual Academy (K–6) and Insight School of Kansas (7–12). You can also explore dual enrollment at community colleges to earn high‑school and college credit at the same time.

Next steps and resources for Kansas homeschoolers

A thoughtful graduation plan grows over time, just like your teen. Start by sketching out a rough four‑year path, then check in a few times a year to update your transcript, talk through your teen’s goals, and make sure any college, career, or gap‑year plans still feel like the right fit.

When you're ready to enhance your graduation plan with engaging, standards-aligned courses, explore Outschool classes that make earning credits enjoyable while building the transcript that opens doors for your graduate.