Homeschooling continues to rise across the country. In the 2022–23 school year, about 3.4% of all K–12 students in the U.S. — roughly 3 to 4 million — were homeschooled, up from around 2.8% in 2018–19. With more families choosing home education for flexibility, faith, or focus on athletics, many homeschool athletes are now setting their sights on competing at the next level.
The path to college sports is absolutely open for homeschool athletes — it just takes organization, preparation, and understanding the NCAA eligibility process.
Start by creating your Student-Athlete Account at the NCAA Eligibility Center. This is your official starting point for NCAA verification and where you’ll upload your transcript, course details, and proof of graduation.
Next Build a Complete Homeschool Transcript. The transcript should list all courses, grades, and credits earned and be signed and dated by your homeschool administrator (usually a parent). This serves as your official record of academic achievement.
Then, Provide Course Descriptions and Meet NCAA Core Standards. Each course needs a brief outline that includes textbooks, grading methods, and objectives. The NCAA requires 16 core courses in English, math, science, and social studies, so make sure your curriculum matches those expectations.
Along the way, keep detailed records. Save syllabi, graded work, and reading lists. The NCAA may request additional documentation, and staying organized will make the process much smoother. Student athletes will need to submit proof of graduation. So, a homeschool diploma or written statement confirming your graduation date completes your eligibility file.
Throughout your high school care it is important to compete, so get on the field and get noticed!
Join a homeschool athletic association, club program, or — where allowed — your local public school team to gain competitive experience. Exposure is key to being recruited by college coaches.
Coach’s Tip: PrepStar has helped thousands of student-athletes, including homeschoolers, get seen and recruited by college coaches nationwide. If you’re homeschooled and ready to take the next step toward your college recruiting journey follow my IG page- homefieldadvantagehq – our page to help homeschool athletes reach the next level.
