What Is an NCNP School?
A Nonchartered Nonpublic (NCNP) school, commonly known by many homeschooling families as the former "08 school option", is a private school recognized by the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce under Ohio Revised Code 3301.0732. Students are enrolled in a school rather than participating through Ohio's Home Education notification pathway. This structure allows families to be part of a recognized school while maintaining flexibility in how and where learning takes place.
History of The “08 School”
Many longtime Ohio homeschooling families remember what was commonly known as the "08 school option," based on former Ohio Administrative Code 3301-34-08. Although that rule was rescinded in 2015, it described a private school enrollment pathway that allowed families to educate their children without participating in the Home Education notification process while maintaining substantial flexibility in how and where education was provided.
NCNP vs. Home Education Today
Since October 2023, Ohio families have had multiple homeschooling pathways available to them. Home Education requires families to submit a yearly notification to their local school district, while NCNP enrollment places students in a private school that handles the required reporting.
For many families, the educational experience may look very similar regardless of the pathway chosen. The primary difference is how the student's education is documented and reported under Ohio law:
Home Education = family notification to the local school district
NCNP Enrollment = enrollment through a private school with school-managed reporting
What Lakeview Academy Provides
Students enrolled through Lakeview Academy become part of a recognized Ohio NCNP school while maintaining the flexibility that many homeschooling families value. They benefit from the support of a caring educational team committed to helping them learn, grow, and succeed.
Enrollment through Lakeview Academy may include:
- School-managed reporting related to Ohio's compulsory attendance requirements
- Student records maintained by the school
- Enrollment verification when needed
- High school transcripts for eligible students
- Graduation diplomas for students who meet graduation requirements
- Access to a supportive educational community
- Opportunities to participate in Lakeview Learning programs and activities
- Guidance and support throughout a student's educational journey
Our goal is to provide families with the benefits of private school enrollment while preserving the individualized and flexible educational experiences that make homeschooling so meaningful.
Why Families Choose This Path (Including Tax Benefits)
Families are drawn to NCNP enrollment because it combines the flexibility many homeschooling families value with the benefits of private school enrollment. It allows for:
- A personalized educational experience
- Flexibility in curriculum and learning style
- School-managed enrollment reporting
- A recognized school for records, transcripts, and diplomas
- A community of families and shared experiences
In addition, Ohio provides two powerful ways to use existing state tax liability to support education:
Tuition Tax Credit
Families paying tuition to an eligible NCNP school may qualify for an Ohio tax credit, reducing what they owe based on tuition paid.
Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) Donations
Families and supporters may also donate to a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) and receive a dollar-for-dollar Ohio tax credit (up to the allowable limit). These funds are then used to provide scholarships to students attending schools such as Lakeview Academy.
Use Your Ohio Taxes to Help Cover Tuition!
Ohio offers unique tax benefits that can help many families reduce the cost of educational expenses through Lakeview Academy. Understanding these benefits starts with understanding your Ohio tax liability.
What Is Ohio Tax Liability?
Your tax liability is the total amount of Ohio income tax you owe for the year before considering any refund. This is important because many tuition-related tax benefits are based on this number. Taxes withheld from your paycheck count toward paying that liability, but they are not the liability itself.
Even if you receive a refund, you may still have had a tax liability during the year. A refund simply means you paid more tax than you ultimately owed.
Example:
- Ohio tax liability: $1,000
- Taxes withheld during the year: $1,200
- Tax refund: $200
In this example, the taxpayer's Ohio tax liability was still $1,000 even though they received a refund.
Two Ways to Reduce Tuition Costs:
1. Tuition Tax Credit
Families enrolled at Lakeview Academy may qualify for an Ohio tuition tax credit:
- Up to $1,000 (income under $50,000)
- Up to $1,500 (income $50,000+)
This credit directly reduces your Ohio income tax liability based on the tuition you have paid.
2. Scholarship Donation (SGO)
You can also redirect a portion of your Ohio tax liability by donating to a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO).
- Donate up to $750 (individual) or $1,500 (married filing jointly)
- Receive a dollar-for-dollar Ohio tax credit
This allows you to support student scholarships with tax dollars that would otherwise be paid to the state.
Why This Matters
By using these programs together, many families can significantly reduce their out-of-pocket tuition costs by redirecting a portion of the Ohio taxes they already pay toward educational expenses and student scholarships.
Registration for 2026–2027 opened April 1st!
Schedule a visit with us this semester, and then register to join us in the fall!