Can Homeschooled Students Play School Sports?

Given the many advantages of being involved in extracurricular activities, families often wonder if choosing homeschool or online school will affect their child’s access to these programs. The good news is many states are making it increasingly possible for students to participate in public school activities like sports, band, and drama. 

However, the rules are not uniform. Participation regulations can vary significantly from state to state and even between school districts. Many states have enacted Equal Educational Opportunities Acts, often known as “Tim Tebow laws,” named after the Heisman-winning quarterback who got his start playing football for his local Florida public high school while being homeschooled.  

In which states can homeschoolers play sports? 

In some states, schools are required to provide homeschoolers access to extracurricular activities. Other states permit participation but leave the decision to individual school districts. Some states have no specific laws on homeschool extracurricular participation, leaving the matter entirely up to schools and districts. A few states explicitly prohibit homeschoolers from participating in these activities. 

Although legislation surrounding education can and does change at the state level, here’s a guide for which states currently allow or restrict access to public school activities for homeschoolers. For updates to the laws regulating homeschool, consult the Coalition for Responsible Home Education. 

Access allowed: Alabama, Arizona, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Wyoming 

Access allowed with the approval of the local school district: Massachusetts, North Dakota, New Jersey, Rhode Island, South Dakota 

Access restricted: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin 

 

Even if your state and district allow equal access, eligibility requirements can vary. Homeschooled students may need to submit test scores, grades, or progress reports to participate in public school activities, even if these are not typically required by the state. Additional requirements may also be enforced in accordance with the school district and state athletic association guidelines. 

Can homeschoolers play sports for private schools? 

Education laws vary by state, and this includes regulations for private schools. Since private schools aren’t always subject to the same rules as public schools, access to their activities can differ. Homeschooling students interested in joining a team should explore both public and private school options to understand what opportunities are available. 

Can students in online school play sports? 

Students enrolled in online schools, charter schools, or private schools are sometimes able to participate in activities at a nearby public school if their school does not offer the same opportunities. But just as with equal access for homeschooled students, the laws and requirements for online school students can vary greatly. 

Alternatives to Public School Extracurriculars 

If your state or district prohibits participation online or homeschool student participation, there are still other options. There are homeschool sports leagues available, both on a regional and national level, though some of these may not be open to students enrolled in a charter school. For student athletes who just want to play, regional youth teams, and YMCA leagues can be a good option, too. 

For students who want to participate in other activities, like drama, band, or orchestra, there may be regional programs and classes that are open to anyone, including online students and homeschoolers. Classes and programs for kids and teens can often be found through your local parks & recreation department or community college non-credit course offerings. 

If you would like more information on equal access to public school activities for homeschool and charter school students, you can find detailed summaries of nearly every state’s policies compiled by the HSLDA.