Start homeschooling · Idaho

How to start homeschooling in Idaho

Everything Idaho asks of a homeschool family, in order, from the state’s own sources, checked October 1, 2026. Each step links to a free tool that does it, and there’s a checklist to print at the end.

Legal options1
NoticeNot required
Days or hoursSet by the state
TestingNot required
RecordsNot required

Step by step

  1. Know what Idaho requires

    Parents may instruct their children themselves; there is no registration, testing or reporting to the state.

    Required school ages in Idaho: 7 (at the commencement of school in the district) to 16. Teacher qualification for this option: No parent qualification in §33-202.

  2. If your child is in school now, withdraw in writing

    Send the school a dated withdrawal letter saying your child will be educated at home, and keep a copy. Idaho doesn’t require a separate notice under this option, so the letter is the school’s record that your child has left.

    Write the withdrawal letter

  3. No notice to file

    Idaho doesn’t require a notice or registration under this option.

    Idaho Department of Education: 'There is no registration or sign up procedure required.'

  4. Plan your school year: days and hours

    Idaho sets a minimum.

    Instruction 'during a period in each year equal to that in which the public schools are in session.' No separate hour minimum for home instruction in §33-202.

    Check your days and hoursMake a school calendar

  5. Cover the required subjects

    Idaho doesn’t list required subjects for this option.

    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.'

    Find curriculum with lesson counts

  6. Testing or evaluation

    Not required under this option.

  7. Keep records anyway

    Idaho doesn’t require records under this option.

    Our suggestion: keep attendance, a reading log and a few work samples each year. A move to another state, a college, or a question from the district is much easier with them.

    Printable logs

  8. Start teaching

    Put your books on a lesson schedule, and the planner spreads the lessons across your school days and moves them when a day is missed. Log attendance in a tap, and keep grades, a portfolio and a transcript as you go.

    Start a free plan in My HomeschoolAll free tools

  9. High school and graduation

    No homeschool graduation requirements in §33-202; diploma issuer not addressed in the official sources checked.

    Keep a transcriptGPA calculatorSample transcript
Also good to know in Idaho: 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.

Official sources for this option

Not confirmed on an official page: Who issues a homeschool diploma not confirmed on an official source. Check these points with the state or your local school district before you rely on them; everything else above comes from the official sources listed.

Your Idaho checklist

Tick as you go, or print it. Nothing here is saved or sent anywhere.

Homeschool Corral · How to start homeschooling in Idaho · homeschoolcorral.com

  • Read Idaho’s rules for “Private instruction by or under the direction of the parent”
  • Withdraw from school in writing (if enrolled), and keep a copy
  • Set the first and last day, school days and breaks (meeting the state minimum)
  • Choose curriculum for each required subject
  • Start a simple attendance log and reading log
  • Make a first-week plan and start

Questions Idaho parents ask

Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Idaho?

No. Idaho doesn’t require a notice or registration.

How many days or hours do homeschoolers need in Idaho?

Instruction 'during a period in each year equal to that in which the public schools are in session.' No separate hour minimum for home instruction in §33-202.

Do homeschoolers have to take tests in Idaho?

No testing or evaluation requirement found in §33-202 or on the IDE homeschool page.

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Idaho?

No parent qualification in §33-202.

What subjects are required in Idaho?

Idaho doesn’t list required subjects.

What records do I need to keep in Idaho?

Idaho doesn’t require records. Keeping attendance, a reading log and work samples is still wise.

Keep going

Idaho homeschool rules in fullEvery option, by grade, with the state’s sources Moving to or from Idaho?See what changes, side by side Idaho scholarshipsFor homeschool students, with deadlines Plan your year, freeMy Homeschool, free while we’re in beta; an invite code is needed to create an account

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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