Homeschooling in Arizona: the law and how to start

Yes. Arizona law requires every child between 6 and 16 to receive instruction in at least reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies and science, and lists homeschooling as a lawful way to do this. The law defines a homeschool as a nonpublic school run mainly by the parent or other person with custody of the child, or nonpublic instruction given in the child's home.

Families who want public funding can choose an Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) instead. ESA students are not legally homeschoolers: the parent signs an ESA contract with the Arizona Department of Education, and that contract — not a homeschool affidavit — documents the child's education, so ESA families should not file an affidavit as well.

• Get the affidavit of intent from your county school superintendent's office (most counties post it online).
• Fill it in. The affidavit lists your child's name and date of birth, your current address, and the names, phone numbers and addresses of the people who have custody. Some counties ask for the signature to be notarized.
• Include proof of age. Within 30 days of starting home instruction you must give the county a certified copy of the birth certificate or another accepted proof of age; counties explain which documents they accept.
• File within 30 days of starting. You do not need to refile each year. If you stop homeschooling, notify the county within 30 days; if you start again later, file a new affidavit.

If your child is enrolled in a public or charter school, tell the school in writing that you are withdrawing them to homeschool so they aren't marked absent, and keep a copy of the affidavit you filed. Failing to file the affidavit is a petty offense under state law.

You must teach at least reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies and science. Arizona doesn't set days or hours for homeschools, approve curriculum, or tell you how to teach these subjects.

ESA families have similar subject expectations under their ESA contract; read the current ESA handbook if you go that route.

Arizona does not require homeschool testing, portfolios or evaluations, and county offices do not provide testing for homeschooled students.

Keeping records is still sensible: a copy of your affidavit and birth certificate filing, a list of materials used, work samples and grades. They help if your child returns to school or applies to college.

As the parent, you decide your homeschool's graduation requirements and issue the transcript and diploma. Most families track courses and credits from ninth grade and follow typical college-entry subjects. If your child wants college credit in high school, ask local community colleges about their admission rules for homeschooled students.

Under A.R.S. § 15-802.01, a homeschooled child who lives in a public school's attendance area must be allowed to try out for that school's interscholastic activities on the same basis as enrolled students. The school's policies on registration, age, fees, insurance, physical fitness and conduct apply, and the person providing primary instruction must give written verification of passing grades and satisfactory progress. Restrictions apply to a child who withdrew from a school during the year.

Access to individual public school classes is up to districts and schools. If your child may have a disability, contact your local district about evaluations and services.

Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account program, run by the Arizona Department of Education, has been open to all Arizona K–12 students since a 2022 expansion. Funds are deposited into an account and can be spent on approved education expenses such as curriculum, tutoring and therapies — but your child then participates under an ESA contract rather than as a homeschool student under § 15-802.

Amounts depend on the student (for example, students with disabilities can receive more) and change each year, and program rules are updated often. ADE publishes quarterly reports on the program, the latest covering fiscal year 2026. Check azed.gov/esa for current amounts, the handbook and how to apply before you decide.

Arizona has no state grant or tax credit specifically for independent homeschoolers who file an affidavit.