New-to-homeschool parents tell us the problem isn't too few resources — it's way too many. So this page holds your hand: a few right things, in the right order, one layer at a time. We're starting with Northeast Ohio and growing from there.
Ohio keeps it simple — one notice a year, no approval process. Here's the whole thing:
Send a short notice to the superintendent of your school district of residence — within 5 days of starting, then by August 30 each year. It's just your name & address, your child's name, and an assurance you'll cover the core subjects.
The superintendent sends a written acknowledgment within 14 days. That's it — it's a notification, not a permission slip. Your child is excused from compulsory attendance the moment the notice is received.
Cover English language arts, math, science, history, government, and social studies — how you do it is entirely up to you. No curriculum filings, no teacher qualifications, no required testing.
Sources: Ohio Dept. of Education & Workforce · Ohio Revised Code §3321.042 · HSLDA Ohio. Current as of the 2025–26 school year — always confirm with the official links.
Your notice goes to your district's superintendent. Pick your city to get the right front door:
Don't see your city? We're starting with Cuyahoga County and expanding across Northeast Ohio — tell us where you are and we'll prioritize it.
The classroom with no walls. All of these are an easy drive for Lighthouse families:
The "Emerald Necklace" — free nature centers, ranger programs, and 18 reservations of hiking.
Dinos, gems, and a planetarium — fresh off its big renovation. Homeschool programming runs year-round.
World-class and free general admission — art history for the price of parking.
Ohio's national park — free entry, junior-ranger programs, and the scenic railroad.
One of the best library systems in the country — free passes, kits, and programs with your card.
Downtown treasure + branches everywhere. The kids' floor alone is a field trip.
Know a gem other families should try? Tell us in the survey — founding families build this list.
Not 500 links — just a few trusted, free ones to start. The full Hub will grow these with you.
Khan Academy — free, complete K–12 math with practice and videos. If you only bookmark one thing, bookmark this.
Starfall for learning to read (pre-K–3) · Project Gutenberg for 70,000+ free classic books for strong readers.
Nat Geo Kids for animals & earth science — then pair it with the Activity Finder for the hands-on part.
PBS Kids — games and shows that are genuinely educational, from the most trusted name in kids' media.
Growing with real questions from founding families. A few to start:
Completely legal, and Ohio is one of the simpler states: one short notice to your district superintendent per year (see "Start here" above). No approval, no curriculum filing, no testing requirements.
No. Ohio has no teacher-qualification requirement for home education. You need to know your child — the rest you learn together (that's half the magic).
As much or as little as you choose. Between the library, free resources like the ones on this page, and what's already in your house (see the Activity Finder), many families spend far less than they expected.
Have a question that should be here? Ask it in the 2-minute survey — that's literally what shapes this page.
More counties, more local gems, more answers — guided by what founding families actually ask for.