Arizona Homeschool Requirements

Overview

Arizona is one of the most homeschool-friendly states in the nation, offering two completely separate paths for educating at home. The Traditional Homeschool path requires just a one-time notarized affidavit - no annual renewals. The Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) path provides approximately $7,000-8,000 per year in funding for every Arizona student, making it the most generous universal school choice program in the country.

Under both paths, Arizona requires instruction in five subjects and imposes no standardized testing, no minimum hours or days, no curriculum approval, and no record submission to the state. The legal foundation comes from A.R.S. §15-802, the compulsory attendance law.

Arizona also allows parents to delay formal instruction until age 8, giving families extra flexibility during the early childhood years. And unlike most states, Arizona requires public schools to allow homeschooler participation in sports and other interscholastic activities.

Legal Framework

Arizona offers two completely separate legal paths for home education. You cannot use both simultaneously - if you choose the ESA, you are not legally classified as a "homeschooler" but rather as an "ESA student."

Path 1: Traditional Homeschool (Affidavit)

Under this path, you file a one-time notarized Affidavit of Intent with your county school superintendent within 30 days of starting homeschool. You must include a certified copy of your child's birth certificate. Once filed, you simply teach the five required subjects - no annual renewal, no testing, no record submission.

Path 2: Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA)

Arizona's ESA is the largest universal school choice program in the nation, with over 100,000 students enrolled. All Arizona K-12 students qualify for approximately $7,000-8,000/year deposited into a ClassWallet account. Funds can cover curriculum, tutoring, testing fees, computers, educational therapy, and more. In exchange, you track expenses and submit receipts.

Getting Started: Step by Step

How you start homeschooling in Arizona depends on which path you choose.

Path 1: Traditional Homeschool

1. Prepare your notarized Affidavit of Intent. Include your child's name, date of birth, current school address (if applicable), and parent/guardian contact information. The affidavit must be notarized.
2. Gather proof of birth. Certified copy of birth certificate (most common), baptismal certificate, or Social Security application.
3. File with your county school superintendent within 30 days of starting homeschool. You can mail or hand-deliver the affidavit.
4. Receive your date-stamped copy. Keep this as proof of filing.
5. Begin instruction covering the five required subjects.

Path 2: ESA Program

1. Create an account at the ESA online portal (esaonline.azed.gov).
2. Submit your application with birth certificate, proof of Arizona residency, and parent/guardian documentation.
3. Wait for processing (up to 30 days). Applications are accepted year-round.
4. Sign the ESA contract.
5. Receive funds quarterly in your ClassWallet account.

If Your Child Is Currently in Public School

Send a withdrawal letter to the school, then file your affidavit or ESA application. You do not need school or district approval to withdraw.

Required Subjects

Arizona requires homeschools to cover five subjects under both the Traditional Homeschool and ESA paths. This is established in A.R.S. §15-802.

There is no curriculum approval process, no required lesson plans, and no specified hours for each subject. You choose the materials and methods for teaching each subject.

Not Required by Law (But Recommended)

Many Arizona families also cover additional subjects for a well-rounded education:

Attendance Requirements

Arizona does not require a minimum number of school days, instructional hours, or specific school calendar. You set your own schedule entirely under both the Traditional Homeschool and ESA paths.

Delaying Until Age 8

Arizona allows you to delay formal instruction until age 8. To do this, note on your affidavit that you do not wish to begin instruction until the child reaches age 8. The child must not have reached age 8 by September 1 of that school year.

Assessment & Evaluation

Arizona does not require any standardized testing or assessment for homeschool students. This is explicitly stated in A.R.S. §15-745(A), which says that nothing in the testing article shall be construed to require testing of children in a home school program.

This applies to both the Traditional Homeschool and ESA paths. There are no portfolio reviews, no progress reports, and no mandatory evaluations.

Optional Testing

While not required, some families choose to administer standardized tests for their own purposes:

• SAT/ACT - for college admissions
• PSAT - for National Merit Scholarship eligibility
• Iowa Test of Basic Skills - to benchmark progress
• Stanford Achievement Test - another widely used benchmark

ESA funds can be used to cover testing fees if you are enrolled in the ESA program.

Record-Keeping

Record-keeping requirements depend on which path you choose.

Traditional Homeschool

Arizona has no legal requirement to keep records under the traditional homeschool path. You are not required to maintain a portfolio, keep attendance logs, save work samples, or document your curriculum.

ESA Program

If you use the ESA, you must keep detailed records of all expenses. Every purchase through ClassWallet requires a receipt. The Arizona Department of Education audits ESA accounts, and misuse of funds can result in account termination, repayment, or permanent removal from the program.

Recommended Records (Both Paths)

• Copy of notarized affidavit (or ESA contract) - proof of legal compliance
• Date-stamped copy from county - official confirmation of filing
• Curriculum list - shows subject coverage
• Work samples - progress documentation
• Attendance log - useful if ever questioned
• High school transcripts - essential for college applications

Scholarships & Financial Resources

Arizona offers the most generous homeschool funding in the nation through its universal ESA program.

Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA)

What ESA Funds Cover

• Curriculum - textbooks, workbooks, online programs
• Tutoring - from credentialed providers
• Educational therapy - speech, occupational, behavioral
• Testing fees - SAT, ACT, AP exams
• Computer hardware - laptops, tablets, calculators
• Online courses - accredited programs
• Educational supplies - curriculum-related materials
• Postsecondary tuition - community college or university courses

Sports & Extracurricular Access

Arizona is one of the best states for homeschool sports access. Under A.R.S. §15-802.01, school districts are required by law to allow homeschool students to try out for interscholastic activities, including sports, band, academic competitions, and more.

Students must live within the school's attendance area, meet the same eligibility requirements as enrolled students, and pay the same fees.

Key Deadlines

Arizona has very few deadlines for homeschool families, especially under the traditional path.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Arizona homeschool law is simple, but new families still run into avoidable problems.

1. Not getting the affidavit notarized. The affidavit must be notarized to be valid. A standard letter will not suffice. Many banks, UPS stores, and some county offices offer free or low-cost notary services.
2. Filing the affidavit with the wrong office. File with your county school superintendent, not the Arizona Department of Education, not your local school district. Each county has its own superintendent's office.
3. Trying to use both paths simultaneously. You cannot hold a homeschool affidavit and an ESA contract at the same time. If switching to ESA, withdraw your existing affidavit from the county.
4. Not understanding the ESA trade-off. The ESA provides significant funding but requires expense tracking, receipts for every purchase, and potential audits. For families with special needs children, it also means waiving IDEA rights.
5. Forgetting the ESA renewal deadline. Unlike the one-time affidavit, the ESA contract must be renewed by June 20 each year. Missing this deadline can result in loss of funding.
6. Not covering all five required subjects. Arizona requires reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science. Make sure you address all five, even if informally.
7. Thinking you need to wait for approval. For the traditional path, you can begin homeschooling immediately. The affidavit must be filed within 30 days of starting - you do not need to wait for approval before beginning instruction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delay starting homeschool until my child is 8?

Yes. Arizona allows you to delay formal instruction until age 8. Note this on your affidavit. Your child must not have reached age 8 by September 1 of that school year.

How do I choose between the affidavit and ESA?

Choose the affidavit if you want minimal government involvement and maximum privacy. Choose the ESA if you want $7,000-8,000/year for education expenses and are comfortable tracking spending through ClassWallet.

Can my homeschooler play sports at the public school?

Yes. Arizona law (A.R.S. §15-802.01) requires districts to allow homeschool students to participate in interscholastic activities. Your child must live in the school's attendance area and meet the same eligibility standards.

Do I need to file annually with the traditional path?

No. The affidavit is a one-time filing. You only need to re-file if you terminate and restart homeschooling or move to a different Arizona county.

What happens if my child returns to public school?

Under A.R.S. §15-745, the student will be tested to determine grade placement. Notify the county superintendent within 30 days of terminating homeschool.