Homeschooling in Idaho: the law and how to start

Yes. Idaho's compulsory attendance law (Idaho Code § 33-202) gives parents a choice: a child can be enrolled in a public, public charter, private or parochial school, or be privately instructed by, or at the direction of, a parent or guardian. Homeschooling is that second option.

Idaho is one of the least regulated states for homeschooling. The Idaho Department of Education says it does not regulate or monitor homeschool education, and there is no registration or set curriculum.

The one firm legal duty is that your child must be instructed in the subjects commonly and usually taught in Idaho's public schools. A parent who fails to have a compulsory-age child instructed can face a misdemeanor charge under Idaho Code § 33-207.

• If your child has never been enrolled in a public school, you can simply begin. There is no form to file with the state.
• If your child is enrolled now, the Department of Education's FAQ says the first step is to make sure your child is officially unenrolled. Send the school a short, dated letter saying you are withdrawing your child to provide instruction at home, and keep a copy. Idaho has no statewide withdrawal form, and the letter helps you avoid being treated as truant.
• Plan your instruction around the subjects taught in Idaho public schools (see below), and choose materials that fit your child.
• Keep simple records even though the law does not require them. They help if your child returns to school or applies to college.

Idaho law requires instruction in the subjects "commonly and usually taught" in Idaho's public schools. The state does not publish a required homeschool course list, and the Department of Education says there is no set curriculum to follow.

Idaho law does not set a number of homeschool days or hours. Most families cover reading and writing, math, science, social studies and health, and add electives that suit their children.

There is no required testing or evaluation for Idaho homeschoolers, and you do not report results to anyone. The Department of Education notes that a homeschooled child may be able to take part in state tests, but that is up to the local district.

Keeping records is voluntary. A short file with attendance or a log of work, samples, the materials you used and any test scores makes it much easier to place your child if they return to school, and to build a high school transcript.

If you claim the Parental Choice Tax Credit (see the funding section), keep receipts and records of your child's learning in case the Tax Commission asks for them.

As the parent running your homeschool, you decide when your child has finished high school and you can issue your own diploma and transcript. The state does not issue diplomas to homeschool students.

Idaho's dual enrollment law also covers college classes. Credits earned at an accredited postsecondary institution count toward high school graduation requirements.

The Department of Education says homeschool students can use Advanced Opportunities funds (for things like dual credit courses), usually by dual enrolling in an eligible public school. Local enrollment policies apply and vary from school to school.

Under Idaho Code § 33-203, the parent of a homeschooled child (a "nonpublic student") may dual enroll that child in a public school. That can mean taking individual classes or joining nonacademic activities such as sports. The district or charter sets the enrollment procedures, and students must meet the same eligibility rules as other participants.

Talk to your school well before the term or season starts. The Department of Education's FAQ suggests making arrangements in advance.

A 2026 bill (House Bill 780) proposed changes to the dual enrollment law for nonacademic activities. We found no record that it was enacted, so the existing § 33-203 still applies.

If you think your child has a disability, you can ask your local district for an evaluation. The Department of Education publishes a Q&A on how special education rules apply to homeschooled children.

Parental Choice Tax Credit. Idaho's refundable tax credit, created by House Bill 93 in 2025 (Idaho Code § 63-3029N), is worth up to $5,000 per eligible student, or $7,500 for a student with a qualifying disability. The Tax Commission says homeschool families can claim qualifying costs such as curriculum and textbooks, tutoring and other learning expenses. You cannot claim payment for instruction you give your own child.

• The total for all families is capped at $50 million per year, and applications are taken in set windows. For 2026, families with income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level get priority.
• House Bill 934, signed on April 2, 2026 and retroactive to January 1, 2026, revised the credit's rules, including the age range (5 to 18, or 5 to 21 for some students with disabilities).
• Check the Tax Commission's page for current application windows and the full list of qualifying expenses, since details have changed each year.

Empowering Parents grants have ended. Senate Bill 1142 (2025) closed the program, so there were no new grants for 2025–26. Families with earlier grants have three years from the issue date to spend the funds.