Homeschooling in Arizona: what the state requires
The rules for homeschooling in Arizona, in plain English, from the state’s own sources.
Checked October 1, 2026 against official Arizona sources. State page: Arizona Department of Education — Empowerment Scholarship Account program (homeschool affidavits are filed with the county school superintendent; ADE has no general homeschool page). Compulsory school age: 6 to 16 (a homeschool parent may file an affidavit to delay home instruction until age 8 if the child has not reached 8 by September 1).
Homeschool (affidavit of intent)
Parent files a one-time affidavit of intent with the county school superintendent and provides instruction in reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies and science.
For every child
| Notice or registration | Required. Within 30 days from the time the child begins to attend homeschool — Affidavit of intent filed with the county school superintendent stating the child is being provided instruction in a homeschool; includes child's name, date of birth, school address, and names, telephone numbers and addresses of the persons who currently have custody. Parent must notify the county school superintendent within 30 days after homeschooling ends. |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, science — A.R.S. 15-802(A): every child 6-16 'shall be provided instruction in at least the subjects of reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies and science.' |
| Days | No minimum number of days stated in A.R.S. 15-802. |
| Hours | No minimum hours stated in A.R.S. 15-802. |
| Testing or evaluation | Not required. A.R.S. 15-802 contains no testing requirement for homeschool students. |
| Records | No record-keeping or submission requirement in A.R.S. 15-802 beyond the affidavit. |
| Teacher | No parent qualification requirement in A.R.S. 15-802. |
| Other | '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. Failure to file the affidavit is a petty offense. |
By grade
No rule in this option changes with the grade.
High school and graduation
A.R.S. 15-802 sets no graduation requirements for homeschools.
Official sources:
Not confirmed on an official state page yet: Who issues a homeschool diploma is not addressed in the statute reviewed.
Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA)
Parent signs an annual ESA contract with the Department of Education and uses state-funded account money to educate the child; the signed agreement counts as school attendance under 15-802. Parents in the ESA must not also file a homeschool affidavit.
For every child
| Notice or registration | Required. Account must be renewed annually — Parent signs an ESA agreement with the Department of Education; must not file a homeschool affidavit of intent while in the ESA and must not enroll the child in a district or charter school. |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, science — Parent agrees to use ESA monies 'to provide an education for the qualified student in at least the subjects of reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies and science.' |
| Days | No minimum days stated in A.R.S. 15-2402. |
| Hours | No minimum hours stated in A.R.S. 15-2402. |
| Testing or evaluation | Not required. A.R.S. 15-2402 permits ESA funds for standardized tests but does not mandate testing. |
| Records | ESA spending/receipt rules are set by the program; not reviewed here. |
| Teacher | None stated in A.R.S. 15-2402. |
| Other | A signed agreement 'constitutes school attendance required by section 15-802.' Accounts not renewed for three consecutive years are closed. |
By grade
No rule in this option changes with the grade.
High school and graduation
A.R.S. 15-2402 sets no diploma requirements.
Official sources:
Not confirmed on an official state page yet: ESA record-keeping/expense rules (ESA Parent Handbook) not reviewed.
High school: the public-school diploma as a guide
Optional for homeschools in most states, but the credit plan most colleges and employers recognize, and a sound default for a homeschool transcript. Shown in the subject areas this site uses.
| English | 4.0 |
| Mathematics | 4.0 |
| Science | 3.0 |
| Social Studies History & Social Science 3 | 3.0 |
| Electives Fine Arts or Career and Technical Education 1; Locally Prescribed Courses 7 | 8.0 |
| Total | 22.0 |
|---|
State minimum starting with the class of 2017. Must also pass a civics test: 70 of 100 questions for graduates in 2026 and later (60/100 for 2022-2025). A.R.S. 15-701.01 requires at least one-half credit in economics including financial literacy and personal financial management.
Source: ADE — High School Graduation Information
After graduation: what to plan for
Suggestions from Homeschool Corral, not state rules. Most families keep the college path open through 10th grade, then narrow.
- 4 English, 4 math (through Algebra II, pre-calculus if they can), 3–4 science with 2 labs, 3–4 social studies, 2–3 years of one foreign language, 1 fine arts
- A one-paragraph description for every high-school course; the parent signs the transcript and diploma
- PSAT in 10th and 11th; SAT or ACT by spring of 11th; dual credit, AP or CLEP where it fits
- A log of activities, service and work from 9th grade; two adults who can recommend them
- A Scholarship Finder profile by 11th grade; FAFSA when it opens in the fall of 12th
- A diploma and transcript with 4 English, 3 math, 3 science, 3 social studies; applied math every year
- Dual-credit career and technical courses in 11th–12th; OSHA 10 and first aid/CPR; a driver’s license
- Real projects and a part-time job logged as credits, with references; visit the union hall about pre-apprenticeships in 11th
- A parent-issued diploma and full transcript, signed and dated; recruiters ask for both
- Strong reading and arithmetic for the entrance test; a practice ASVAB in 11th
- Physical fitness as a logged course; service and leadership; for an academy or ROTC, the college list plus the SAT/ACT early
- The diploma and transcript anyway; personal finance and business basics as credits
- Work experience logged with hours and a reference from 10th grade; typing, spreadsheets, a clear email
- Keep the college path open: a foreign language and Algebra II cost little now
My Homeschool turns these into a checklist for each child, with the credits recorded in Transcripts counted against the plan.
A.R.S. 15-701.01 (https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00701-01.htm) is the statutory basis for the civics test and economics half-credit.
This is a plain-English summary of the state’s official sources, checked on the date shown. It is not legal advice, and laws change. Read the linked official pages, and check with the state or your local school district if anything is unclear.
Other states: Alabama · Alaska · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming