Homeschooling in Arizona: Guidance for Getting Started

Looking for Arizona homeschooling information? Here it is! Find out what paperwork you need to file to get started as a homeschooler and what subjects you need to teach your child each year. Learn the homeschool requirements and regulations for everything from standardized testing and kindergarten to recordkeeping and high school transcripts.  

DISCLAIMER: This article is not written as legal advice. Check with your local school board and official Arizona laws before making decisions about educating your children.

Maybe you’re excited about the new Arizona school voucher expansion, thinking now you can finally afford to homeschool! To learn how this generous state funding for homeschooling works, click here.  Also discover great Arizona field trips, how much homeschooling really costs, and exactly who to contact in your area if you have questions about getting started.

The N. Family, Sonlighters in Chandler, AZ

Requirements for Homeschooling in Arizona

Great news! Arizona homeschooling statues are not complicated. The rules for homeschooling in Arizona indicate some simple paperwork to file and a short list of five academic subjects to teach. Compared to many other states, Arizona’s homeschooling laws are easy-peasy!

What are the homeschool requirements in Arizona?
How do I start homeschooling in Arizona?
How long can you homeschool a child in Arizona?
Keeping a Homeschool Record in Arizona
While not required in Arizona, it's a good idea to keep a homeschool record. We suggest keeping notes about:
  • what days you had school lessons
  • what you learned week by week
  • a list of curriculum and resources
  • any field trips you took
  • any extra-curricular activities and co-ops
  • samples of student work
To help you organize your records, use the Sonlight planner. It has pages for the most common records that homeschoolers keep.

Your homeschool records don’t have to be extremely detailed or formal, but a paper trail that clearly indicates you have a plan and are following a dedicated program of study for your children will go a long way to clearing up any possible confusion about your suitability as a homeschool parent.

Plus, you’ll appreciate having records for your own benefit! It’s incredibly rewarding to look back and see all you covered with your child and see growth from the beginning of a school year to the end.
The T. Family, Sonlighters from Glendale, AZ

Arizona Homeschooling Requirements - FAQ
How many days are required for homeschool in Arizona?
Arizona does not stipulate any minimum number of days of instruction. Neither does the state have homeschooling hour requirements.
Do you have to be certified to homeschool in Arizona?
No, parents do not have to be certified as teachers or hold any other type of certification to homeschool their own children. Learn more.
Do parents need qualifications to homeschool in Arizona?
Arizona does not outline any parent qualifications to homeschool your own children.
Who is eligible for homeschooling?
Any parent or guardian can opt to homeschool in Arizona as long as they file the correct paperwork.

You are obligated to file a letter of intent for homeschooling in Arizona. This is formally called an Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool. It must be notarized and include the following information:
  • Child’s name
  • Child’s date of birth
  • Family address
  • Parent’s name
  • Parent’s telephone number
Along with the Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool, also submit proof of the child’s identity and age—typically a birth certificate. This important document will be returned to you once the school district makes a copy for their own records.

Submit both the Affidavit of Intent and the proof of birth to the superintendent of your county’s district within 30 days of beginning to homeschool (or of the date when your child turns 6 years old). You may do this via mail or in person. This rule holds whether you are homeschooling for the first time with a 6-year old or if you’re switching from public school to homeschooling in Arizona. See tips for switching.

You only need to submit this form once unless your county of residence changes. Example form from Maricopa County.
Is unschooling legal in Arizona?
Yes, unschooling is legal in Arizona. As long as you are fulfilling your obligation to teach reading, grammar, math, social studies, and science, you are free to choose whatever methods or resources you like. Learn more about methods.
Can I homeschool someone else's child in Arizona?
In Arizona, home school is defined as “a school conducted primarily by the parent, guardian or other person who has custody of the child or instruction provided in the child's home.” Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15—802F.1.
This does not prohibit hiring someone to instruct a child at home under parental supervision.
What do I need to homeschool my child in Arizona?
Arizona homeschool requirements are minimal. You’ll want:
  • The right mindset
  • A place for books and resources (even just a shelf or cabinet)
  • Spots for learning (couch, kitchen table, etc.)
  • Basic school supplies
  • A schedule or routine
Is it easy to homeschool in Arizona?
Homeschooling is not strictly regulated in Arizona, so most families find it easy. See homeschool data.

Do you have to have a curriculum when homeschooling in Arizona?

Technically no. As an Arizona homeschooler, you aren’t required to have a curriculum. The filing of your affidavit of intent to homeschool implies that you will provide instruction in the five required areas, but aside from committing to do so, there are no other stipulations about your teaching and no reporting required to prove that you’ve done it.

But you’re homeschooling to provide your child with an excellent education, right? So you want the absolute best materials and ones that will make life easy for you. That’s why using a curriculum is a wise choice. Download the free printable curriculum comparison checklist to help you narrow down your options.

For greatest ease and great savings, opt for a Sonlight All-Subjects Package. It will cover all the Arizona required subjects and so much more, giving your child a rich education that instills a love of learning. 

If you’re comparing online homeschooling to print curriculum, realize that there’s no substitute for real books. Learn the unparalleled benefits of Sonlight’s literature-based approach here.  

Do Homeschoolers Have to Take Standardized Tests in Arizona?
Can You Skip Kindergarten in Arizona?
At What Age is School Mandatory in Arizona?
What Do I Need to Know to Begin Homeschooling?
The B. Family, Sonlighters from Peoria, AZ

Must-see Arizona Field Trips for Homeschoolers

Field trips are far more than a diversion from your regular homeschool curriculum. Yes, they do inject excitement and provide a change of routine when you’re falling into a homeschool rut. But even more, these excursions transform abstract ideas into tangible, and often unforgettable, personal experience.

It’s one thing to read about outer space. It’s quite another to tour the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff and peer through a telescope, guided by expert scientists.

Bring your history, art, and science lessons to life with these top Arizona field trip destinations: 

  1. Hoover Dam
  2. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
  3. National Parks in Arizona
  4. Arizona Science Center
  5. Heard Museum
  6. Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum 
  7. Arizona History Museum
  8. Arizona Museum of Natural History
  9. Phoenix Art Museum

Document your field trips on this free printable field trip log —an excerpt from the Sonlight homeschool planner

As homeschoolers, you can flex your schedule to tour museums, zoos, parks, and galleries during off-peak hours or discount days when visitors are sparse and docents are available for customized tours. 

Financial Considerations for Homeschooling in Arizona

Homeschooling does have an impact on a family’s budget. First, at least one parent will likely have to sacrifice full-time employment. This is especially true for families with very young children and/or a large number of children. While it’s very common for the primary homeschooling parent to have a side-gig or a part time job, it is admittedly challenging to juggle both homeschooling and full time work. It can be done! But it requires flexible expectations and ruthless time management.  

The homeschooling family typically forsakes earning potential for the privilege of investing in their children during their school years. On top of that decrease in income are the costs associated with homeschooling. Parents are responsible for curriculum, co-op memberships, extracurricular activities, field trips, school supplies, etc. 

How much does it cost to homeschool in Arizona?
Does Arizona pay for homeschooling?
Does Arizona have a school voucher program for homeschooling?

DID YOU KNOW?

If you’re making your curriculum purchase using ESA funds, you can now purchase Sonlight through the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program from the Arizona Department of Education.

Use your ESA funds to get your entire homeschool year in one easy package! History, math, science, and more—all scheduled and planned out for you. Just open and go!

LEARN MORE
How can I homeschool in Arizona for free?
Can I get money from the state for homeschooling in Arizona?
Is homeschooling a tax write-off in Arizona?
Do I have to pay school taxes if I homeschool?
The S. Family, Sonlighters from Chandler, AZ

Partnering with Schools in Arizona

According to Arizona statutes,

Home-instructed students are allowed to participate in the public schools' interscholastic activities for the attendance area where they reside.” To find out what options are available to your children, contact your local school system.

 

Christian Homeschooling in Arizona

As a homeschooler in Arizona, you’re allowed to use Christian curriculum, pray during your school day, and study the Bible as a school subject. If building your children’s Christian faith as you learn together sounds ideal to you, then a Christian curriculum is a valuable asset.

The heart of Sonlight’s curriculum is the History / Bible / Literature product line, available for all ages and grades. These unique literature-based courses seamlessly integrate Bible study, missionary biographies, and gospel-centered conversation into your homeschool.

Find out what makes Sonlight a Christian homeschool curriculum. Then try Sonlight free to see if it’s a good fit for your family and if its goals match your own.

The R. Family, Sonlighters from Flagstaff, AZ

Finding Homeschool Community in Arizona

Because homeschooling is so popular in Arizona, there’s no shortage of homeschool community! Whether you’re looking for co-ops for your children, opportunities for peer socialization, or mom-groups for your own inspiration, there are dozens of options to find mentors and likeminded parents in Arizona. 

If Facebook groups are your jam, join the Considering Homeschooling in Arizona community.

Homeschooling High School in Arizona

When it comes to homeschooling through high school in Arizona, you have nearly complete freedom! Although you’re still expected to cover the basic five academic areas (reading, grammar, math, social studies, and science), there are no other requirements. So you can craft a 4-year high school plan that perfectly suits your teen’s interests and future plans. 

As a homeschooler, you are responsible for awarding credits, awarding a diploma, and issuing a transcript. A great place to start is with Sonlight's College and Career Planning Kit. It will equip you with all you need to face these final homeschool years without fear. 

If college is in your teen’s future, be sure to craft that 4-year high school plan accordingly. For example, let’s say your teen is interested in attending the University of Arizona. Check with the admissions department to identify the baseline requirements and then be sure to meet those credit and course prerequisites. Of course, going beyond the bare minimum helps your teen stand out among the sea of applicants and earn scholarship dollars as well.

It’s easy to fulfill college admissions requirements with Sonlight’s flexible high school courses. You can mix and match the ideal configuration of credits, topics, and educational experiences to showcase your teen’s unique gifts.

Do homeschooled teens have what it takes to succeed after high school? Yes! Sonlight teens graduate to go on to accomplish amazing things. Read some of their stories here. From advanced degrees to mission work and military service, Sonlight graduates are fully equipped for whatever God calls them to do.

For homeschool graduation, you can arrange a private ceremony or join with a larger group of homeschoolers to have a more traditional ceremony. For example, Arizona Families for Home Education provides its members an annual high school graduation event with all the trappings