MADE FOR ILLINOIS FAMILIES
Illinois homeschool curriculum, built for your kids
Tell Kuraplan your children's ages. It plans the year around what Illinois expects, references the ILS where you want it, and writes the lessons and printables for each child.
Illinois homeschool curriculum: what to teach, what is free, and what the state pays for
Illinois treats homeschools as private schools. Instruction must be in English and cover the branches of education taught in public schools; there is no notification, testing or reporting. Registration with the state is optional.
For the legal side (notice, records, assessment) see the Illinois homeschool requirements guide. This page is about the curriculum itself.
Subjects Illinois expects
No assessment. Keep a light record showing the six branches were addressed, which is what a regional office would ask for in a truancy inquiry.
Illinois Learning Standards- Language arts
- Mathematics
- Biological and physical sciences
- Social sciences
- Fine arts
- Physical development and health
A year that satisfies the state
A sample Illinois homeschool plan (elementary)
One way to cover what the state expects with programs families finish. Swap any program for one that fits your child; keep the coverage.
Phonics, literature, writing and grammar.
Any mastery program.
Alternate life and physical science units with experiments.
Chronological history; Illinois history and Lincoln in grade 4; civics.
Weekly art and music, daily activity and a health lesson a week; log them, they are required branches.
“Free homeschool programs” in Illinois
Most results for free programs are public online schools. They are free and teacher-led, but your child is a public school student with state testing, not a homeschooler. Worth knowing before you enroll.
Illinois Virtual School (courses) and district virtual academies
Illinois has no statewide K12-style virtual charter; some districts run virtual programs. Public enrollment where they exist.
Money for curriculum in Illinois
The Illinois Education Expense Credit gives a state tax credit of 25% of qualified education expenses over $250, up to $750 per family, and homeschool expenses can qualify when the child is enrolled in a home school meeting Illinois requirements. Invest in Kids scholarships ended in 2023.
What Illinois families know
- Illinois Christian Home Educators (ICHE) and secular groups in Chicago, Naperville and Champaign; Chicago has some of the largest secular homeschool networks in the Midwest.
- The six-branch list is a coverage guide; there is no state contact unless truancy is alleged.
- Illinois history fits grade 4 with Lincoln sites in Springfield.
- Watch legislation: bills to add registration requirements have been proposed repeatedly; none has passed as of this review.
Plan it with Kuraplan
Curriculum that fits Illinois and your kids
You keep the programs you love. Kuraplan fills the gaps, references the ILS when you ask, and keeps the records Illinois expects without a filing cabinet.
ILS-referenced lessons
Ask for a lesson on any topic and it lands at the right grade, with the ILS reference noted for your records.
Every required subject, one plan
A yearly plan that maps the subjects your state expects to real weekly blocks, sized for each child.
Records that write themselves
Completed worksheets and lessons stay together, so an evaluation, portfolio or progress report is a summary, not a scramble.
One lesson. All your kids.
$49/yr flat, no per-child fees
Write one family lesson, then adjust the reading level, the practice and the response format for each child without rebuilding the day.
Illinois homeschool curriculum FAQ
What subjects are required for homeschool in Illinois?
Language arts, mathematics, biological and physical sciences, social sciences, fine arts, and physical development and health, taught in English. No curriculum, notification, testing or reporting is required.
Do I have to register my homeschool in Illinois?
No. Registration with the Illinois State Board of Education is voluntary. Homeschools operate as private schools.
Is there a homeschool tax credit in Illinois?
The Education Expense Credit gives 25% of qualified expenses over $250, up to $750 per family; homeschool expenses can qualify. Keep receipts.
Is there free homeschool curriculum in Illinois?
Illinois has no statewide virtual charter. Free home education options include Khan Academy, Easy Peasy and library-based plans; Chicago's museums offer extensive homeschool programs.
What are the best homeschool programs in Illinois?
The Good and the Beautiful, Sonlight, BookShark, Math Mammoth, Beast Academy and Classical Conversations are common; ICHE and the Chicago-area secular groups are where families compare.
Program details, funding amounts and eligibility change. Verify with the Illinois agency and program sites before relying on them. Reviewed 2026-09-07.
Your Illinois homeschool year, in one place
Plan lessons, make printables and keep each child's finished work together for the records your state expects.
Plan with Kuraplan