Homeschooling in Idaho: what the state requires
Parents may instruct their children themselves; there is no registration, testing or reporting to the state.
Checked October 1, 2026 against official Idaho sources. State page: Idaho Department of Education — Homeschool. Compulsory school age: 7 (at the commencement of school in the district) to 16.
Private instruction by or under the direction of the parent (Idaho Code §33-202)
Parents may instruct their children themselves; there is no registration, testing or reporting to the state.
For every child
| Notice or registration | Not required. Idaho Department of Education: 'There is no registration or sign up procedure required.' |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | — Instruction in 'subjects commonly and usually taught in the public schools of the state of Idaho.' IDE: the state 'does not have a set curriculum to be followed.' |
| Days | Instruction 'during a period in each year equal to that in which the public schools are in session.' |
| Hours | No separate hour minimum for home instruction in §33-202. |
| Testing or evaluation | Not required. No testing or evaluation requirement found in §33-202 or on the IDE homeschool page. |
| Records | No record-keeping or submission requirement found in §33-202 or on the IDE homeschool page. |
| Teacher | No parent qualification in §33-202. |
| Other | Idaho Code §32-1012: custodial parents have the fundamental right and duty to make decisions about their children's education in any manner authorized by §33-202. IDE: all homeschooling costs are the parent's responsibility. |
By grade
No rule in this option changes with the grade.
High school and graduation
No homeschool graduation requirements in §33-202; diploma issuer not addressed in the official sources checked.
Official sources:
- Idaho Code §33-202 School attendance compulsory
- Idaho Code §32-1012 Parental rights — education
- Idaho Department of Education — Homeschool
Not confirmed on an official state page yet: Who issues a homeschool diploma not confirmed on an official source.
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 (the state counts semester credits; shown here as year-long credits).
| English Language Arts 4; Communication Arts 0.5 | 4.5 |
| Mathematics | 3.0 |
| Science | 3.0 |
| Social Studies | 2.5 |
| Physical Education & Health Health/Wellness 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Technology Digital Literacy 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Electives Fine Arts/World Languages 1; Electives 8 | 9.0 |
| Total | 23.0 |
|---|
Semester credits (46 semester credits = 23 year-long credits). Math: 2 Algebra I, 2 Geometry, 2 student choice; Science: 4 from at least two of physics, chemistry, earth/space, life science, plus 2 applied science; Social Studies: 2 Government, 2 U.S. History, 1 Economics/Financial Literacy; Health includes CPR. Digital Literacy applies to graduates after 01/01/2028; Future Readiness Project for class of 2028 and later; parent-approved Career Pathway Plan by end of grade 8; revised civics test beginning 2026-27. IDE document updated 01/14/2026.
Source: Idaho Department of Education — High School Graduation Minimum Requirements (updated 01/14/2026)
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.
§33-202 also lists enrollment in public/charter (including virtual) and private or parochial schools as ways to meet compulsory attendance.
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.
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