Idaho Homeschool Laws & Requirements

Compulsory School Attendance Age

Idaho compulsory education law generally applies to children who have reached age 7 at the beginning of the school year and who are under age 16. During those compulsory-attendance years, the parent or guardian must ensure that the child is instructed as required by Idaho law.

Homeschool Notification and Enrollment

Idaho does not require a homeschool family to register with the state, file an annual notice of intent, obtain approval from the local school district, or enroll with a cover school or umbrella school.

If a child is currently enrolled in a public school, the Idaho Department of Education recommends making sure the child is officially withdrawn before beginning homeschool instruction.

Instructional Days and Hours

Idaho does not establish a separate fixed number of daily homeschool hours or a specific homeschool day-count reporting requirement. The state does not monitor homeschool calendars or require homeschool attendance reports.

Required Subjects

Idaho Code requires children of compulsory-attendance age to be instructed in the subjects commonly and usually taught in Idaho public schools. The statute does not require homeschool families to use the public-school curriculum or state-adopted lesson plans.

Families commonly include core subjects such as:

• English and Language Arts • Mathematics • Science • Social Studies and History • Additional electives and practical subjects selected by the parent

Attendance and Records

Idaho does not impose routine state homeschool reporting or record-submission requirements. The Department of Education does not maintain a state homeschool list or student homeschool records.

Families are still strongly encouraged to maintain useful educational records, especially for high school students, including:

• Attendance • Courses completed • Grades and credits • Report cards • Transcripts • Samples of student work • Curriculum used • Graduation records

Standardized Testing

Idaho does not require independently homeschooled students to take state standardized tests. A local district or charter school may choose to allow a homeschool student to participate in state testing upon request, but the district is not required to do so.

Parent Teacher Qualifications

Parents and guardians homeschooling their children in Idaho are not required to hold a teaching license or state educator credential.

Curriculum Freedom

Idaho does not prescribe a homeschool curriculum. Parents select the curriculum, books, online programs, workbooks, educational websites, tutors, or other resources they believe are appropriate. Idaho Content Standards may be used as a guide, but the Department of Education states that homeschool parents determine which standards they wish to teach.

Graduation

Idaho does not issue an accredited public-school diploma to an independently homeschooled student. Parents should establish their own high school requirements and maintain complete records and a transcript. Colleges, employers, military branches, licensing agencies, and other institutions may establish their own admission or documentation requirements.

Alabama Church School Services for Idaho Families

Idaho families are not legally required to enroll with a cover school or umbrella school. However, families may choose Alabama Church School for curriculum, organization, academic documentation, and educational support.

Available services may include:

• Complete curriculum • Enrollment documentation • Attendance resources • Academic records • Report cards • Transcripts • Diplomas and graduation documentation • Student records • Educational support and other available family services

For families who want the freedom Idaho provides without having to build every curriculum and recordkeeping system from scratch, Alabama Church School can provide an organized educational framework while the parent continues directing the child's education at home.

Enrollment with Alabama Church School does not replace the Idaho parent's responsibility to provide instruction that satisfies Idaho law.