Arizona Homeschool Requirements

ARS § 15-802(B)(2) requires that if a child will attend a private school or homeschool, the parent 'file an affidavit of intent with the county school superintendent stating that the child is attending a regularly organized private school or is being provided with instruction in a homeschool.' Under § 15-802(C), the affidavit must be filed within 30 days of beginning instruction and is not required again unless instruction is terminated and resumed. The affidavit must include the child's name, date of birth, current school address, and custodian contact information. Failure to file is a petty offense under § 15-802(E). ARS § 15-802.01 defines 'homeschool' as 'a nonpublic school conducted primarily by the parent, guardian or other person who has custody of the child or nonpublic instruction provided in the child's home.'

ARS § 15-802(A) states: 'Every child between the ages of six and sixteen years shall attend a school and shall be provided instruction in at least the subjects of reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies and science.' This is the only subject mandate; no specific textbooks, curriculum standards, or instructional methods are required. Parents have full discretion over how these five subject areas are taught and may supplement with any additional subjects they choose.

ARS § 15-802 does not specify any minimum daily or annual instructional time for homeschooled students. The 180-day requirement referenced in § 15-802(B)(1) applies only to public, private, and charter school attendance, not to homeschools. Arizona is widely recognized as one of the least regulated homeschool states; the absence of any time requirement is consistent with that framework.

ARS § 15-802 contains no assessment or testing requirement for homeschooled children. Arizona is one of a handful of states with no evaluation mandate whatsoever for homeschoolers. The Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program under ARS § 15-2402 does require ESA students to take annual assessments as a condition of continued participation in that program, but that requirement applies only to ESA recipients, not to all Arizona homeschoolers.

ARS § 15-802 does not require homeschooling families to maintain any specific records. The affidavit of intent filed with the county superintendent serves as the only documentation obligation. While keeping records is advisable for future college applications or public school re-enrollment, there is no legal mandate for homeschoolers to maintain or produce records on request.

ARS § 15-802 defines 'homeschool' as 'a nonpublic school conducted primarily by the parent, guardian or other person who has custody of the child or nonpublic instruction provided in the child's home.' There is no requirement for a teaching certificate, college degree, or GED. Arizona is among the most permissive states in this regard, and no regulatory body oversees parental qualifications for homeschooling.

ARS § 15-872(B) states: 'A pupil shall not be allowed to attend school without submitting documentary proof to the school administrator unless the pupil is exempted from immunization pursuant to section 15-873.' Homeschooled students do not 'attend school' in the statutory sense and are not subject to this immunization requirement. If a homeschooled student participates in public school interscholastic activities under ARS § 15-802.01, immunization status may be a consideration under school health policies, but it is not expressly required by statute for activity participation.

ARS § 15-802(D)(1) excuses a child from attendance duties if 'the child is in such physical or mental condition that instruction is inexpedient or impracticable.' Homeschooled children with disabilities are not required to receive any specific services from the state, and the homeschooling parent has no obligation to provide IEP-equivalent services. Under IDEA, Arizona school districts must conduct child find and offer proportionate equitable services to parentally placed private school children. The Arizona ESA program may be particularly beneficial for families of children with disabilities, as ESA funds can be used for therapies and specialized services.

ARS § 15-802(C) requires that: 'The person who has custody of the child shall notify the county school superintendent within thirty days of the termination that the child is no longer being instructed at a private school or a homeschool. If the private school or homeschool instruction is resumed, the person who has custody of the child shall file another affidavit of intent with the county school superintendent within thirty days.' A child who was previously enrolled in a public, private, or charter school and transitions to homeschool is ineligible to participate in interscholastic activities for the remainder of that school year under ARS § 15-802.01(B).

ARS § 15-802(A) mandates that 'every child between the ages of six and sixteen years shall attend a school and shall be provided instruction in at least the subjects of reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies and science.' The statute allows the custodian to 'choose a public, private or charter school or a homeschool.' A parent of a child who has not yet reached age 8 by September 1 may elect to delay beginning homeschool instruction by filing an affidavit stating the intent not to begin instruction yet (§ 15-802(B)(3)).

ARS § 15-802(D)(2) provides that a person is excused from compulsory attendance duties if 'the child has completed the high school course of study necessary for completion of grade ten as prescribed by the state board of education.' No state-issued diploma is available for homeschoolers. Homeschooled students may pursue the Arizona High School Equivalency (HSE/GED) if they wish to obtain a state-recognized credential. The ESA program under ARS § 15-2402 does not include a diploma-issuing mechanism.

ARS § 15-802.01(A) states: 'Notwithstanding any other law, a child who resides within the attendance area of a public school and who is homeschooled shall be allowed to try out for interscholastic activities on behalf of the public school in the same manner as a pupil who is enrolled in that public school.' The primary instructor must submit written verification of (1) passing grades in each course and (2) satisfactory progress toward advancement. Under § 15-802.01(B), a student who was previously enrolled in a public, private, or charter school is ineligible for activities for the remainder of that school year. Under § 15-802.01(C), school districts may not contract with entities that prohibit homeschooled students' participation.