The by-laws of the IHSA do not prohibit a homeschool student from participating in sports at a member high school. Nor are students required to participate. The IHSA leaves the individual schools to determine whether or not they will allow homeschool students to enroll and participate in sports.
According to IHSA By-Law 3.011, a homeschool student who wants to participate must be enrolled in and attend the member high school. The homeschool student must be taking a minimum of 20 credit hours at the member high school, all of which must be counting towards graduation. Other arrangements that have been approved by the member high school may also be allowed.
The member high school that the homeschool student is enrolled in is responsible to verifying that the student is completing the attendance requirement. The school must also verify the student is complying with all of IHSA by-laws for sports participation. This responsibility is held exclusively by the high school.
A homeschool student who has met the specific homeschool requirements of the IHSA, must also meet the requirements set for public and private school students. These include having full time residence with the parents, custodial parent or guardian within the school district that they will attend. The student must also maintain passing grades. Eligibility continues through age 19, unless the student will turn 20 during the sports season.