What is a Non-Chartered, Non-Public (NCNP) School?
A Non-Chartered, Non-Public (NCNP) school is a recognized private school option in Ohio that operates outside of direct state curriculum control.
What This Means for Your Family
When you enroll in an NCNP school like Lakeview Academy, you are:
- Choosing a homeschool-aligned pathway (often known as the former “08 school” option)
- Joining a school that is recognized by the state, but not state-directed
- Maintaining flexibility and control over how your child learns best
- Gaining access to community, structure, transcripts, and diplomas
Why Families Choose the NCNP Route
- Freedom in education without state-mandated curriculum
- Support and community while still homeschooling
- Simplified process compared to awaiting a filing decision with a school district
- Access to Ohio tuition tax benefits
In Simple Terms
An NCNP school is a way to homeschool with structure, support, and freedom within a recognized school setting, complete with a multitude of benefits.
Yes, you are still homeschooling. You’re simply choosing a different pathway through an NCNP school.
Use Your Ohio Taxes to Help Cover Tuition!
Many families don’t realize they can use their Ohio tax liability to help pay for private school tuition with Lakeview Learning through Lakeview Academy.
Lakeview Academy is the school of Lakeview Learning, a homeschool hybrid microschool that blends the flexibility of home education with meaningful in-person experiences. As a Nonchartered Nonpublic (NCNP) school, this pathway reflects what many families know as the former “08 school” option—an established and widely recognized way to homeschool outside of the traditional system.
In Ohio, families have two paths to homeschool:
- Home Education through your local school district, or
- Enrollment in an NCNP school, like Lakeview Academy
Choosing the Lakeview Academy route allows families to remain homeschoolers while educating within a community, simplifying reporting requirements and opening the door to valuable tuition-related tax benefits.
What is Ohio Tax Liability?
Your Ohio tax liability is the total amount of state income tax you are responsible for paying during the year.
This is important because many tuition-related benefits are based on this number.
What Counts as Tax Liability?
Your tax liability includes:
- Taxes withheld from your paycheck throughout the year
- Any additional amount you may owe when you file your taxes
Even if you receive a refund, you still have a tax liability for the year. Your refund simply means you paid more than required during the year.
Two Ways to Reduce Tuition Costs:
1. Tuition Tax Credit
Families enrolled at Lakeview Academy may qualify for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit:
- Up to $1,000 (income under $50,000)
- Up to $1,500 (income $50,000+)
This directly reduces your Ohio taxes based on the tuition you’ve paid.
2. Scholarship Donation (SGO)
You can also redirect your Ohio taxes by donating to a Scholarship Granting Organization.
- Donate up to $750 (individual) or $1,500 (married)
- Receive a 100% tax credit
This means you can send your tax dollars toward student scholarships instead of the state!
Why This Matters
By using these programs together, many families are able to significantly reduce their out-of-pocket tuition costs by redirecting the taxes they already pay.
A Different Way to Think About Tuition
Instead of asking if you can afford tuition, consider:
How can we use the taxes we already pay to fund our child’s education?
Registration for 2026–2027 opened April 1st!
Schedule a visit with us this semester, and then register to join us in the fall!