ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES REGARDING HOME EDUCATION
Click on the links below to view the statutes directly from the State of Arizona website.
Section 1-701. Diplomas; transcripts; recognition. This state, any political subdivision or agency of this state and any other governmental entity shall recognize and treat all diplomas and transcripts associated with schooling options as described in section 15-802 in the same manner. School districts may evaluate the transcripts of transfer students for the assignment of credit pursuant to section 15-701.01.
ARS §15-802 G 2. Homeschool means a nonpublic school conducted primarily by the parent, guardian or other person who has custody of the child or nonpublic instruction provided in the child’s home.Section 15
15-763. Plan for providing special education; definition
15-745. Children instructed at home testing prohibition; enrolling in a public school after homeschooling
15-802.01. Children instructed at home eligibility to participate in interscholastic activities
15-802. School instruction; exceptions; violations; classification; definitions
15-828. Birth certificate; school records; exception
In this brief video, discover the role that AFHE has played since 1983 in protecting homeschool freedoms in Arizona.
Click on the Affidavit Below to Download
Complete information about the affidavit is found below !
Click the flier below for a downloadable pdf version.
ARIZONA STATE LAW DEFINES A HOMESCHOOLER AS FOLLOWS
ARS §15-802 (G)(2) Homeschool means a nonpublic school conducted primarily by the parent, guardian or other person who has custody of the child or nonpublic instruction provided in the child’s home.
Homeschoolers are parents or legal guardians who choose to educate their own children at home in at least the required subjects of reading, grammar, math, science, and social studies pursuant to A.R.S. §15-802.
Parents of homeschooled students ages 6-16 are required to file a notarized Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool with the County School Superintendent within 30 days of starting to homeschool (or within 30 days following the child’s 6th birthday for children who’ve been homeschooled prior to age 6) A.R.S. §15-802 (B)(2).
Homeschoolers are parents or legal guardians who choose to educate their own children at home in at least the required subjects of reading, grammar, math, science, and social studies pursuant to A.R.S. §15-802.
Parents of homeschooled students ages 6-16 are required to file a notarized Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool with the County School Superintendent within 30 days of starting to homeschool (or within 30 days following the child’s 6th birthday for children who’ve been homeschooled prior to age 6) A.R.S. §15-802 (B)(2).
10 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING IN ARIZONA
With more than 38,000 students being homeschooled in Arizona, and more than 2.1 million students nationwide, parent-led education at home has proven to be an effective and successful for many families. We’ve put together a handy blog post answering ten frequently asked questions about homeschooling in Arizona. You’ll find helpful links, resources, and more!
READ “Ten Questions About Homeschooling in Arizona”
READ “Ten Questions About Homeschooling in Arizona”
NOT YOUR FATHER'S LAW: A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF ARIZONA HOMESCHOOL LAW
The inclination of Legislatures is to limit parental rights in the area of home schooling. We cannot let this happen. Thanks to Arizona Families for Home Education you have the best home school law in the nation.
READ “Not Your Father’s Law: A Brief Account of Arizona Homeschool Law”
READ “Not Your Father’s Law: A Brief Account of Arizona Homeschool Law”
File an Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool
Parents of homeschooled students ages 6-16 are required to file a notarized Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool with the County School Superintendent within 30 days of starting to homeschool (or within 30 days following the child’s 6th birthday for children who’ve been homeschooled prior to age 6). Please mail your Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool to the County School Superintendent for the county in which you live.
The affidavit should include the child’s name, date of birth, current address, and name, telephone, and address of parent or legal guardian. AFHE does not recommend providing more information than is required by law. Do not file the affidavit for children under age 6 or over the age of 16 as these students are outside of compulsory education age and the County only accept affidavits for homeschooled students ages 6 to 16.
Make a copy of the notarized affidavit for your records before sending it to the County.
REVIEW THE LAW
AFHE recommends that all parents review the Arizona state statutes regarding homeschooling prior to submitting your affidavit.
AFHE recommends that all parents review the Arizona state statutes regarding homeschooling prior to submitting your affidavit.
How to File the Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool
Watch this short video for everything you need to know about filing an Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool in Arizona.
Watch this short video for everything you need to know about filing an Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool in Arizona.
PROOF OF BIRTH
Proof of birth must be submitted with the notarized affidavit. The most common proof of birth is the birth certificate. Please note that a certified copy of the birth certificate must be submitted (not a photocopy). Please refer to ARS §15-828 for other acceptable proofs of birth if a certified birth certificate is not available.
The original/certified birth certificate will be returned to you after the County School Superintendent’s office has made a copy for their records.
If you do not wish to send the affidavit and your child’s birth certificate to the county by mail, you have the option to hand-deliver the documents and wait while the clerk makes a copy of the birth certificate for their file and returns the original to you at that time.
DELAY OF FORMAL EDUCATION
You have the option to delay the start of formal education until your child is 8 years of age by noting so on the Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool.
The affidavit must be filed for children ages 6 and older even if the parent elects to delay formal education until the age of 8.
HOMESCHOOLING YOUNGER CHILD
We are often asked if you can homeschool a child under the age of 6. The answer is yes, you can. Many families begin homeschooling for preschool and kindergarten.
Once the child turns 6, file the Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool within 30 days of their birthday.
DO NOT FILE AN AFFIDAVIT FOR AN ESA STUDENT
Parents who sign a contract to participate in an Empowerment Scholarship Account, shall not file an Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool for their ESA student. See additional information above under definition of a homeschooler.
PROVIDE INSTRUCTION
By filing the Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool, the parent is agreeing to instruction in at least the subjects of reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science.
There are no reporting or standardized testing requirements for homeschoolers in Arizona, however filing the Affidavit fraudulently or failing to provide instruction is a class 3 misdeameanor [ARS 15-802 E.]. (Unless exempt in ARS 15-802 or 15-803.)
MOVING TO ANOTHER ARIZONA COUNTY
If a homeschooling family moves from one Arizona county to another, the parent or legal guardian must file an Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool in the new county of residence along with the child’s certified birth certificate or other accepted proof of birth. Notify the previous county in writing that you are no longer homeschooling in that county.
TERMINATION OF HOMESCHOOL
If you enroll your child in a public school, charter school, virtual public school, or private school (including hybrid private schools), the parent or legal guardian must notify the County School Superintendent within 30 days of termination of homeschooling. We recommend doing so in writing.
ENROLLING IN PUBLIC SCHOOL AFTER HOMESCHOOLING
Should you decide to enroll your child in a public school after he/she has been homeschooled, the school will test your child to determine grade level placement pursuant to ARS 15-745.
Please note, a public high school will not accept homeschool credits toward an accredited diploma issued through the school. We have heard many sad stories of families who enrolled their previously homeschooled student in a public high school in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade and were told they had to enroll as a freshman in order to receive a diploma.
We encourage families to explore the option of homeschooling through high school, which can be a rich and rewarding experience preparing the student well for college, the military, or the marketplace. If you decide to enroll your child in a public school for high school, you may consider doing so by 9th grade to avoid credit issues for their diploma.
HOMESCHOOLING WHILE LIVING ON A RESERVATION
A parent homeschooling their child while living on a Native American Reservation should file the Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool with the County School Superintendent’s office as normal. While Native American tribes are sovereign, they fall under the compulsory attendance/compulsory education law of the state.
Proof of birth must be submitted with the notarized affidavit. The most common proof of birth is the birth certificate. Please note that a certified copy of the birth certificate must be submitted (not a photocopy). Please refer to ARS §15-828 for other acceptable proofs of birth if a certified birth certificate is not available.
The original/certified birth certificate will be returned to you after the County School Superintendent’s office has made a copy for their records.
If you do not wish to send the affidavit and your child’s birth certificate to the county by mail, you have the option to hand-deliver the documents and wait while the clerk makes a copy of the birth certificate for their file and returns the original to you at that time.
DELAY OF FORMAL EDUCATION
You have the option to delay the start of formal education until your child is 8 years of age by noting so on the Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool.
The affidavit must be filed for children ages 6 and older even if the parent elects to delay formal education until the age of 8.
HOMESCHOOLING YOUNGER CHILD
We are often asked if you can homeschool a child under the age of 6. The answer is yes, you can. Many families begin homeschooling for preschool and kindergarten.
Once the child turns 6, file the Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool within 30 days of their birthday.
DO NOT FILE AN AFFIDAVIT FOR AN ESA STUDENT
Parents who sign a contract to participate in an Empowerment Scholarship Account, shall not file an Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool for their ESA student. See additional information above under definition of a homeschooler.
PROVIDE INSTRUCTION
By filing the Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool, the parent is agreeing to instruction in at least the subjects of reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science.
There are no reporting or standardized testing requirements for homeschoolers in Arizona, however filing the Affidavit fraudulently or failing to provide instruction is a class 3 misdeameanor [ARS 15-802 E.]. (Unless exempt in ARS 15-802 or 15-803.)
MOVING TO ANOTHER ARIZONA COUNTY
If a homeschooling family moves from one Arizona county to another, the parent or legal guardian must file an Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool in the new county of residence along with the child’s certified birth certificate or other accepted proof of birth. Notify the previous county in writing that you are no longer homeschooling in that county.
TERMINATION OF HOMESCHOOL
If you enroll your child in a public school, charter school, virtual public school, or private school (including hybrid private schools), the parent or legal guardian must notify the County School Superintendent within 30 days of termination of homeschooling. We recommend doing so in writing.
ENROLLING IN PUBLIC SCHOOL AFTER HOMESCHOOLING
Should you decide to enroll your child in a public school after he/she has been homeschooled, the school will test your child to determine grade level placement pursuant to ARS 15-745.
Please note, a public high school will not accept homeschool credits toward an accredited diploma issued through the school. We have heard many sad stories of families who enrolled their previously homeschooled student in a public high school in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade and were told they had to enroll as a freshman in order to receive a diploma.
We encourage families to explore the option of homeschooling through high school, which can be a rich and rewarding experience preparing the student well for college, the military, or the marketplace. If you decide to enroll your child in a public school for high school, you may consider doing so by 9th grade to avoid credit issues for their diploma.
HOMESCHOOLING WHILE LIVING ON A RESERVATION
A parent homeschooling their child while living on a Native American Reservation should file the Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool with the County School Superintendent’s office as normal. While Native American tribes are sovereign, they fall under the compulsory attendance/compulsory education law of the state.
Click on the Affidavit Below to Download
Click on the image below to download flyer and the complete written instructions for filing your homeschool affidavit.
In 2017, the bipartisan-supported HB 2389 was signed into law, ensuring that all diplomas and transcripts issued in Arizona associated with legal school options are to be treated equally by government entities. In response to regular questions about the validity of homeschool diplomas, AFHE has written a letter explaining the law and its implications. We recommend that you download a copy of the letter and keep it with your student’s diploma should future questions arise for your graduate.
Please note: AFHE cannot verify a homeschool graduate's diploma, date of graduation, or completion of study. The parent or guardian of a homeschool student is responsible to maintain the high school transcript and issue the diploma upon graduation. Inquiries from prospective employers, background verification agencies, military recruiters, or admissions departments should not be directed to AFHE.
HB 2389 entered Arizona Revised Statues as Section 1-701 and is linked above.
Please visit our blog to read articles about the homeschool diploma and transcript:
Homeschool Transcripts: More Important than Ever
Homeschooling through Graduation: What You Need to Know About Transcripts and Diplomas
Click on the letter above from the AFHE Board of Directors to download.
AFHE recommends keeping a copy of this letter with your child's diploma as part of his or her permanent educational records.
AFHE recommends keeping a copy of this letter with your child's diploma as part of his or her permanent educational records.
Did you know that in Arizona parents used to have to pass a teacher proficiency exam in order to legally homeschool their own children? Homeschool students, by law, were also required to pass standardized exams. Failure to do so gave the County's School Superintendent the authority to determine if your child could be homeschooled. Homeschool has not always been this free...until AFHE!
Arizona Families for Home Education (AFHE) is the statewide organization that has been serving the needs and protecting the rights of Arizona’s homeschooling families since 1983. AFHE is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational, religious, and charitable corporation run by a Christian board of directors. AFHE membership is available to all homeschooling parents in Arizona.
Arizona Families for Home Education (AFHE) is the statewide organization that has been serving the needs and protecting the rights of Arizona’s homeschooling families since 1983. AFHE is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational, religious, and charitable corporation run by a Christian board of directors. AFHE membership is available to all homeschooling parents in Arizona.
Thanks to AFHE's work Arizona has some of the best homeschool laws in the nation, and provides year round support with answers to questions via social media, a robust website, a college scholarship fund, a cap and gown graduation, an annual convention, and so much more . . . but we can only continue to support the homeschool community with your help.
Be a part of our story...
We must stand together...
to protect the hard-won homeschool rights we have today. AFHE is your voice in the legislature, providing up-to-date information and knowledgeable representation at the General Assembly and with the Department of Education.
You don't have time to read through 6000 pages...
of legal documents each year. AFHE monitors legislative activity, pursues legislation that benefits homeschoolers, and fights proposals that would restrict your freedom to educate your children.
You need to know you’re not alone...
on this wonderful, wacky, and blessed journey of homeschooling. You are part of a community that encourages and helps one other, and you have someone to call for accurate information.
We are stronger together!
Your membership dollars and donations help to equip and encourage thousands of homeschool families.