Homeschooling in Arizona? Here’s your plan.

Arizona's homeschool law (A.R.S. 15-802(B)(2)) requires an affidavit of intent filed with your county school superintendent within 30 days of when your child begins homeschool. It is not required again unless homeschool instruction ends and then resumes (A.R.S. 15-802(C)). If you stop homeschooling, notify the county superintendent within 30 days. If you start again, file a new affidavit within 30 days. Within 30 days after home instruction begins, you also give the county superintendent a certified copy of your child's birth certificate or other reliable proof of identity and age (A.R.S. 15-828(B)).

Arizona requires instruction in at least five subjects: reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science (A.R.S. 15-802(A)). The law does not set hours or days for homeschools, and it does not require testing while your child is homeschooled (A.R.S. 15-745(A)). If your child later enrolls in a public school, the school tests them to decide grade placement (A.R.S. 15-745(B)).

The ESA program (A.R.S. 15-2401 through 15-2404) works differently. Under A.R.S. 15-802(A), a family can choose a school or homeschool, or instead sign a contract to participate in an ESA. A signed ESA agreement counts as the school attendance the law requires (A.R.S. 15-2402(I)). The parent agrees to provide instruction in the same five subjects, to use the money only for allowable expenses, and to renew the account every year (A.R.S. 15-2402). The Department of Education reviews a random sample of accounts each year (A.R.S. 15-2403(C)). You apply to the Arizona Department of Education, which accepts applications all year and sends an award letter within 30 days of a completed application (A.R.S. 15-2403(H)). State law does not require ESA students to be tested, to keep attendance or grade records or a portfolio, or to meet a minimum number of days or hours; test fees are simply an allowable expense (A.R.S. 15-2402(B)(4)(g)).

File with the county, not the district. The affidavit goes to your county school superintendent, not your local school district.

Include proof of age and identity. Within 30 days after home instruction begins, give the county superintendent a certified copy of your child's birth certificate or other reliable proof of identity and age (A.R.S. 15-828(B)).

What goes in the affidavit. Your county superintendent's office can tell you exactly what the affidavit needs to include, and whether they have their own form.

ESA and the affidavit. ESA families sign the ESA agreement instead of filing a homeschool affidavit: the agreement includes a promise not to file an affidavit of intent to homeschool (A.R.S. 15-2402(B)(5)). The Department of Education sends the county school superintendent its list of ESA students (A.R.S. 15-802(F)).

Sports and interscholastic activities. A homeschooled child who lives in a public school's attendance area may try out for that school's interscholastic activities in the same manner as enrolled students (A.R.S. 15-802.01). The person providing primary instruction submits written verification of passing grades and satisfactory progress. A child who was enrolled in a school earlier in the same school year is not eligible for the rest of that year.

High school. You can issue your child's diploma and transcript yourself. Keep a record of courses, grades, and any test scores as you go.