Everything you need to know about homeschooling in Idaho - one of the easiest states in the country. No notification, no testing, no record-keeping, and one of the shortest compulsory age ranges in the nation (7-16). Updated for the 2025-2026 school year.
Idaho is one of the easiest states in the country to homeschool. The state imposes virtually no requirements on homeschool families. There is no notification, no registration, no approval process, no mandatory testing, no specific subject requirements, and no record-keeping obligations.
The legal basis comes from Idaho Code § 33-202, which provides a compulsory attendance exemption for children who are "otherwise comparably instructed." This simple standard gives parents complete autonomy over their child's education.
Idaho also has one of the shortest compulsory age ranges in the nation, covering only ages 7 through 16. There is no kindergarten requirement, and students may complete their compulsory education earlier than in most other states.
Idaho requires absolutely zero notification to anyone. You do not need to tell the state, your school district, or any other agency that you are homeschooling. You simply begin teaching. This is one of the lightest regulatory environments in the entire country.
Idaho does not offer multiple compliance paths. Instead, there is a single legal framework: your child receives "comparable instruction" at home. The statute provides a broad exemption with no mechanism for state oversight.
| Requirement | Idaho Homeschool |
|---|---|
| Legal Basis | Idaho Code § 33-202 |
| Notification | None required |
| Attendance | No minimum days or hours |
| Teacher Qualification | None (parent teaches) |
| Required Subjects | "Comparable instruction" (broadly interpreted) |
| Curriculum | Parent's choice - no approval needed |
| Testing | None required |
| Record-Keeping | None required by law |
The statute provides an exemption from compulsory attendance for children who are "otherwise comparably instructed." This language has been interpreted broadly to mean that parents must provide instruction in subjects commonly taught in public schools, but there is no specific list of required subjects and no mechanism for the state to verify compliance.
Idaho's approach places complete educational authority with parents. There is no oversight body, no registration system, and no reporting requirement. Parents decide what to teach, how to teach it, and when instruction occurs.
The standard requires instruction in subjects commonly taught in public schools. This is broadly interpreted and includes reading, writing, math, language, science, and social studies. However, no specific subjects are mandated, and the state has no mechanism to verify or evaluate your program.
Starting homeschool in Idaho is remarkably simple. There is no paperwork to file, no forms to submit, and no one to notify.
Simply begin teaching. That is the entire process. Decide to homeschool, choose your curriculum, and start instruction. There is nothing to file with anyone.
While not legally required, it is strongly recommended to send a withdrawal letter to the school. This prevents the school from marking your child absent and avoids any potential truancy concerns.
If withdrawing from public school, send your withdrawal letter before your child stops attending. This ensures a clean transition and prevents any truancy questions. Keep a copy of the letter for your records.
Even though Idaho requires nothing formal, sending a withdrawal letter via certified mail or email gives you proof of delivery. Blue Folder can generate a withdrawal letter for you, pre-filled with your information. Try it free →
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Idaho has no notification requirements whatsoever. You do not need to inform the state, your local school district, or any government agency that you are homeschooling.
| Requirement | Idaho |
|---|---|
| Notification to State | Not required |
| Registration | Not required |
| Approval | Not required |
| Withdrawal Letter | Recommended if leaving public school (not legally required) |
Idaho's lack of notification requirements means that the state has no way to know how many families are homeschooling. Your educational choices remain entirely private unless you choose to share them.
Idaho requires instruction in subjects "commonly and usually taught in the public schools." This is interpreted broadly and no specific subjects are mandated by statute.
These subjects are generally considered to be "commonly taught" in Idaho public schools, but the law does not specifically enumerate them. Parents have complete discretion over what to teach and how to teach it.
For college-bound students, covering a well-rounded set of subjects is highly recommended. Idaho public universities like Boise State, University of Idaho, and Idaho State University all accept homeschool graduates with parent-created transcripts and ACT/SAT scores.
Idaho does not specify a minimum number of school days or instructional hours. You set your own schedule entirely. There is no requirement to follow the public school calendar, and you can school year-round, take breaks whenever you want, or adjust your schedule as needed.
There is also no legal requirement to track attendance. The state does not ask for attendance logs, and you do not need to submit any records of your school days.
Even though Idaho does not require attendance tracking, keeping basic records is smart practice. This is especially helpful if your child plans to attend college, return to public school, or if you want documentation of your homeschool program. Most families log between 160-180 days of instruction per year.
Idaho does not require any annual evaluation, testing, or assessment of homeschool students. There are no portfolio reviews, no standardized tests, and no progress reports to submit to anyone.
| Assessment Type | Required? |
|---|---|
| State Testing | Not required |
| Standardized Testing | Not required |
| Portfolio Review | Not required |
| Evaluations | Not required |
While not required, some families choose to administer standardized tests for their own purposes. Common options include:
Idaho has no legal requirement to keep records of any kind. You are not required to maintain a portfolio, keep attendance logs, save work samples, or document your curriculum.
Even though nothing is legally required, experienced families recommend keeping:
Even in a state with no record-keeping requirements, keeping organized records makes your life easier. Use Blue Folder to track attendance, upload work samples, and build a compliance binder - so you always have documentation if you need it. Try it free →
Idaho provides better public school access than many states. Under Idaho Code § 33-203, homeschool students may attend public school part-time, which can include access to:
The IHSAA (Idaho High School Activities Association) allows homeschoolers to participate through dual enrollment. Contact your local school for specific eligibility requirements.
Evaluations may be available through the local district at their discretion. Full special education services generally require enrollment in public school. Private providers are also an option.
Idaho colleges accept homeschool graduates. Key preparation includes ACT/SAT scores, parent-created transcripts, and course descriptions. Major Idaho institutions include Boise State University, University of Idaho, Idaho State University, Lewis-Clark State College, College of Idaho, and BYU-Idaho.
Dual enrollment is an excellent pathway for Idaho homeschoolers who want to participate in sports or specific classes. Contact your local school district to learn about their part-time enrollment options and eligibility requirements.
Idaho homeschool law is extremely simple, but new families can still run into avoidable issues. Here are the most common ones.
If someone - a school official, neighbor, or anyone else - questions your homeschool, you can simply state that you are providing "comparable instruction" pursuant to Idaho Code § 33-202. You have no legal obligation to prove anything beyond that statement.
Correct. Idaho requires zero notification to any government agency. You simply begin providing instruction.
State that you are providing "comparable instruction" per Idaho Code § 33-202. You have no obligation to prove anything further.
Yes. Idaho's compulsory education age ends at 16. After that, continued education is the family's choice.
Yes, through dual enrollment. Idaho Code § 33-203 allows students to attend public school part-time, which can include access to sports and activities. Contact your local school for details.
No. Idaho has no teacher qualification requirements for homeschool parents. No degree, certificate, or diploma of any kind is required.
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Track Idaho ComplianceDisclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Homeschool laws can change. Always verify current requirements with the Idaho State Department of Education or consult a qualified attorney. For more information, see the Idaho State Department of Education and HSLDA Idaho. Last updated February 2026.