Overview
Arkansas allows parents and legal guardians to educate their children at home through a legally recognized homeschool program.
Compulsory School Attendance Age
Arkansas compulsory attendance law generally applies to school-age children beginning at age 5 and continuing through age 17, subject to statutory exceptions.
Homeschool Notification and Enrollment
Arkansas requires parents or legal guardians to file a Notice of Intent to Home School every school year. For the regular school year, the Notice of Intent should be filed no later than August 15.
If a currently enrolled public-school student is withdrawn after August 15, a 5-school-day waiting period generally applies unless waived by the superintendent or school board.
Instructional Days and Hours
Arkansas does not require independently homeschooling families to follow the public school calendar or complete a specific number of instructional hours each day.
Required Subjects
Arkansas does not prescribe a specific statewide list of required subjects for independently homeschooled students.
Attendance and Records
Arkansas does not require homeschool families to routinely submit attendance reports, grades, report cards, portfolios, progress reports, or transcripts to the state or local school district.
Standardized Testing
Arkansas does not require homeschooled students to take annual standardized achievement tests simply because they are homeschooled. Certain state-funded programs may have separate testing requirements.
Parent Teacher Qualifications
Arkansas does not require the parent or legal guardian directing an independent homeschool to hold a teaching certificate, college degree, specific diploma, teacher training, or approval from the Arkansas Department of Education.
Curriculum Freedom
Arkansas gives homeschool parents broad freedom in choosing curriculum and educational materials. Parents are not regulated by the state regarding their choice of curriculum, books, online programs, correspondence programs, workbooks, educational websites, teaching methods, or supplemental resources.
Graduation
Independent homeschool families establish and administer their own homeschool graduation program and may determine the courses, credits, and requirements a student must complete.
Arkansas Education Freedom Accounts
Arkansas operates an Education Freedom Account (EFA) program. Participation may create requirements that do not apply to an independently funded homeschool.
Alabama Church School Services for Arkansas Families
Arkansas families may choose Alabama Church School for curriculum, records, report cards, transcripts, diplomas, attendance resources, graduation documentation, and educational support. Enrollment does not replace the Arkansas parent's responsibility to file the annual Notice of Intent.
Arkansas Homeschool Law References
- Arkansas Code § 6-15-501 et seq.
- Arkansas Code § 6-15-503
- Arkansas Department of Education — Home School Office
- Arkansas Department of Education — Notice of Intent to Home School
This summary is informational and families should review current state law and official state guidance because requirements and procedures may change.
How Alabama Church School supports Arkansas families
ACS does not replace your state's homeschool requirements — it gives families complete curriculum, academic records, transcripts, diplomas, and documentation while you continue satisfying Arkansas law.
Nearby state homeschool guides
Families moving to or from Arkansas often review these states next.