How to Start Homeschooling in Idaho
Are you thinking about making the switch to homeschooling? You’re not alone — the Gem State is a popular state for home education. Homeschooling laws in Idaho allow plenty of customization for both students and parents.
Whether you’ve homeschooled before, or you’re wondering how to get started, we’ll cover everything you need to know about homeschooling in Idaho.
Homeschooling in Idaho at a Glance
Idaho – The Gem State
| Required Age | 7-16 |
| Standardized Testing | Not required |
| Subjects | Language arts, math, science, social studies |
| Time Requirements | None |
| Graduation Requirements | Determined by parent |
| Special Requirements | None |
| Financial Resources Available | Yes |
Parent Qualifications
The State of Idaho does not outline any qualifications for parents who wish to homeschool. You are allowed to homeschool your own children, as well as someone else’s, without proof of qualification.
Notice of Intent
Idaho homeschool families are not required to send a Notice of Intent. If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, you do need to notify the school in person or in writing prior to withdrawing them. This is also an important step to prevent any truancy issues in the future.
Attendance
Parents in Idaho are not required to teach for a certain amount of days or hours. Instead, parents have total freedom to teach whenever and however long they need to.
Homeschool Curriculum
Idaho law states that homeschool education must be in subjects commonly and usually taught in the public schools. However, there is no specific list of these subjects. A good starting point would be:
- Language Arts
- Math
- Science
- Social studies
These broad subjects typically contain many more focused topics. For example, language arts typically include reading, writing and spelling. For more information about general academic topics covered in each grade, you can check out the Idaho Content Standards from the Department of Education and explore skills by subject.
Idaho homeschooling laws do not require the use of a specific curriculum or approach. Families have the flexibility to choose the program of study that works best for them and their children. You can find a customizable homeschool curriculum online or create your own.
Accredited Homeschool Programs
Choosing the best homeschool curriculum can be hard with so many options! If you want to ensure your child is getting a great education, you may be interested in an accredited homeschool curriculum! Accredited homeschool programs must meet high standards of academic quality and rigor to maintain their accreditation status. Miacademy’s online homeschool curriculum is accredited by the ACS-WASC, and can help you meet state requirements with little need for supplementation.
Testing
Idaho homeschool laws do not require students to participate in standardized testing. However, we do strongly recommend that high school students take either the SAT or ACT, especially if they are planning to apply for college. Most colleges and universities require these scores during the application process.
Record Keeping
Idaho state law doesn’t require you to keep any records, although it is still a good idea to do so. A homeschool portfolio is a great way to keep important items safe and organized. Materials to put in a portfolio can include:
- Attendance records
- Test scores
- List of courses taken
- Correspondence from the superintendent
- Some of your child’s best work
We recommend keeping between 2-3 years’ worth of material in your portfolio, especially if your student is in high school. Detailed record keeping from grades 9-12 is essential to create a high school transcript.
Transcripts
Transcripts are an important part of the college admissions process. Transcripts typically include all courses, final grades, and credit hours from grades 9-12. You can make your own transcripts or enroll in an online homeschool program that provides them for you.
Graduation Requirements
Homeschooling parents are responsible for determining when their student is ready to graduate. Parents can design the homeschool diploma requirements around their child’s career aspirations to prepare them for college or for the workforce. Parents will also need to provide their student with a high school diploma.
Financial Resources
The Empowering Parents Grant is available to all K-12 students in Idaho. The program provides financial assistance of $1,000 per student and up to $3,000 per family. The grant money must be used in the Empowering Parents online marketplace for approved educational expenses.
Families with an income of less than $60,000 annually are prioritized for these grants. Recipients are prioritized based on the previous year’s taxes. For more information, visit the Empowering Parents website.
Other Tips & Resources
For more information about homeschooling in Idaho, check out:
- Homeschool Idaho
- Your Idaho for co-ops and homeschool groups by area
If you’re wondering whether Miacademy or MiaPrep would be the best homeschool curriculum for your family, feel free to reach out to our friendly customer service team! They’ll be happy to help you with any questions you may have.
The information provided is intended for research purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. For accurate and comprehensive details on Idaho homeschool laws, we recommend consulting the official resources and guidelines provided by your state. Staying informed about any changes to these laws is important, so be sure to look out for any updates.
FAQ
What are the homeschooling requirements in Idaho?
To homeschool in Idaho, all you need to do is withdraw your student from their current school district and teach subjects that are commonly taught in public schools. There are no time requirements, standardized testing, or parental qualifications to educate at home.
Does Idaho give money for homeschooling?
If you are eligible, the Empowering Parents Program awards grants of up to $3,000 per family to cover the cost of homeschooling. The program is endorsed by the State of Idaho and utilizes COVID-19 relief funding to provide low-income families with quality educational materials.
Information accurate as of: 07/02/2024. The information provided on this site is intended for research purposes only. Miaplaza is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outdated information, or for the results yielded through use of this information.