What You Actually Need to Know About Homeschooling in Idaho

Most parents who look into homeschooling in Idaho for the first time expect a stack of forms, a list of government agencies to notify, and a lengthy approval process before they can get started. Instead, what you really need is a single legal requirement and almost nothing else.

Homeschooling in Idaho operates under one of the most parent-friendly frameworks in the country, giving families the freedom to design a homeschool education that actually fits their child without asking anyone for permission. Here is everything you need to know to get started.

The Law, Straight Up

Idaho's entire approach to home education comes down to this: children between the ages of seven and 16 must receive instruction in the subjects commonly taught in Idaho's public schools (Idaho Legislature, 2009). These include language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. That is the whole requirement.

Here is what the law does not ask for:

What Idaho Does NOT Require	Notes
Notice of Intent	No filing with any agency or school district
Minimum instructional days or hours	Teach on your schedule
Attendance records	No logs required
Test scores or assessments	Entirely optional
Curriculum approval	Parents choose freely
Progress reports	No submissions to the Idaho Department of Education

Idaho homeschool laws work from a simple premise: parents, not the state, are best positioned to direct their child's education. The legal framework reflects that without ambiguity.

This position was reinforced twice by the Idaho legislature. In 2009, the state formally separated home education from the attendance requirements applied to other schools. In 2015, the Idaho Parental Rights statute was passed, protecting the fundamental right of parents to direct their children's education (Homeschool Idaho. These were not routine updates. They were principled decisions that gave Idaho homeschoolers among the strongest legal protections in the country.

What "Subjects Commonly Taught" Means in Practice

Because Idaho law gives you no specific curriculum list, parents sometimes wonder whether they are covering enough. In practice, home educators are expected to teach across the same broad academic areas that Idaho's public schools address.

The Four Core Areas

Idaho expects home educators to cover the same broad academic areas as public schools, but gives you complete freedom over how, when, and at what pace you teach them.

• Language arts covers reading, writing, spelling, and grammar. There is no required sequence or grade-level benchmark - you move at your child's pace.
• Mathematics runs from foundational arithmetic through higher-level coursework, but Idaho does not specify which math courses must be completed or by what age.
• Science includes life, physical, and earth sciences. Whether you use a structured curriculum, co-op classes, or hands-on experiments at home, all approaches satisfy the requirement.
• Social studies span geography, history, economics, and civics. Tuttle Twins history books and economics resources are built exactly around these subjects. Many families weave this into field trips, reading, and project-based work rather than a formal textbook, and that counts.

Records, Testing, and What Idaho Will Never Ask You For

Here, Idaho homeschool laws stand apart from most of the country. Homeschool families are not required to maintain attendance records, submit academic reports, produce test scores, or have their portfolios reviewed by anyone.

You will never receive a letter from the state asking for documentation, and no government agency will audit your homeschool education. The responsibility for your child's learning sits entirely with your family.

Should You Keep Records Anyway?

Yes, especially once your student reaches high school. Here is why it matters:

• College applications: Most colleges require a high school transcript from every applicant. In Idaho, you create that transcript yourself, listing courses, credit hours, and final grades from grades 9 through 12.
• Employment and military: Many employers and branches of the military require transcripts or diplomas. Having organized documentation makes this straightforward.
• Re-enrollment: If your child ever returns to a public school or transfers to a private school, clear academic records make placement much easier.
• Your own peace of mind - Tracking a child's progress over time gives you useful information for adjusting your approach, even if no one else ever sees it.

What About Standardized Tests?

Under Idaho homeschool laws, standardized tests are not required for any grade level (Idaho Legislature, 2009). That said, many parents of high schoolers choose to have their students take the SAT or ACT, since most colleges require these scores regardless of how a student was educated. Voluntary testing at earlier stages can also serve as a useful external benchmark for tracking a child's progress across subjects, but ultimately, the decision is entirely yours.

Graduation and Diplomas: You're in Charge

Idaho does not apply public school graduation requirements to homeschooled children. There is no state-mandated course list, no credit hour minimum set by the government, and no approval process to navigate.

As a homeschool parent in Idaho, you:

• Set your own graduation requirements based on your child's goals and interests
• Design the coursework and learning path
• Issue the diploma once your student has met the criteria you established.

There is, however, one legal boundary. Children under 16 cannot graduate from a homeschool program, regardless of coursework completed.

This flexibility means a student heading toward a trade can build a diploma pathway around practical skills. A student aiming at a selective university can design a course of study that rivals or exceeds what those schools expect. Neither path needs anyone's approval, so if you are unsure where to start with high school curriculum planning, that is a good place to begin.

For students seeking additional credentials, the GED becomes available at age 18 and can serve as a supplement to a homeschool diploma, particularly for institutions that want a standardized academic measure.

Dual Enrollment: Using Public School Resources

Idaho homeschoolers have dual enrollment rights, meaning your student can take individual public school classes or participate in extracurricular activities through the local school district, as long as they meet the same requirements as enrolled public school students.

What Dual Enrollment Can Look Like

• Taking a specific AP or elective course at the local high school
• Participating in school sports or performing arts programs
• Accessing lab equipment or facilities not available at home

What to Know Before You Enroll

When a homeschool student participates in any public school enrollment program, they are legally classified as a public school student for that activity and are subject to public school rules accordingly. It’s important to understand exactly what that means for your specific district before signing up.

Note: Special education services in Idaho are only available to students formally enrolled in public schools. It is an important factor if your child has a disability and you are weighing homeschooling against continued public school attendance. Families in this situation should research private therapy providers and independent services before making the switch.

The Parental Choice Tax Credit: A New Financial Tool

Until 2025, homeschool families in Idaho received no financial support from the state. Every expense, from curriculum and books to technology and enrichment programs, came entirely out of pocket. The Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit changed that.

What It Is

The Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit, signed into law in February 2025, gives eligible homeschooling parents a refundable tax credit for qualifying education expenses, including homeschool curriculum and instructional materials.

How Much You Can Receive

Student Type	Maximum Credit
Standard eligible student	Up to $5,000
Student with qualifying disability	Up to $7,500

Key Program Details

• Total program cap: $50 million annually
• Distribution: First-come, first-served
• Income priority: Households at or below 300% of the federal poverty level receive first consideration
• How to apply: Through the Idaho State Tax Commission's Taxpayer Access Point (TAP)
• Filing requirement: Must have filed an Idaho income tax return to be eligible (Idaho State Tax Commission

Register for a TAP account well before the application window opens. Processing can take up to two weeks, and program funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Community, Co-ops, and Field Trips

Homeschool Idaho is the primary statewide organization for Idaho homeschoolers, formed in 2018 from the merger of the Idaho Coalition of Home Educators (ICHE) and Christian Homeschoolers of Idaho State (CHOIS). They host an annual convention, provide legal resources, and connect homeschool families across the state.

Types of Community Resources Available

Local Homeschool Co-Ops

Idaho has an active network of local co-ops that organize structured academic classes, science labs, theater, art, and sports leagues. Because these run through private networks rather than the school district, joining one does not trigger any additional regulatory requirements for your family.

Support Groups 

Support groups give parents a space to share curriculum recommendations, troubleshoot challenges, and build relationships with home educators going through similar stages. Most counties have at least one active group, and many also use the Tuttle Twins Book Club as a shared reading resource - two books delivered monthly covering economics, individual rights, and American history.

Field Trips 

Idaho's geography is a genuine asset for homeschool families. Access to:

• State and national parks
• Museums and cultural centers
• Historical sites and working farms
• Public libraries with dedicated homeschool programs

For many Idaho homeschool families, the landscape itself becomes a classroom on any given day.

How to Actually Get Started with Homeschooling in Idaho

Because Idaho homeschooling requires no registration and no notification, the administrative barrier to entry is nearly zero. If you are still building your case for making the switch, the benefits of homeschooling blog lays out what families consistently report once they do.

Step 1: Withdraw from Public School (if applicable)

Notify your child's school in writing that you intend to provide instruction at home. This is not legally required, but it prevents any truancy complications and creates a clean paper record of your transition date.

Step 2: Choose Your Curriculum Approach

Idaho places no restrictions here. Options include:

• Packaged homeschool curriculum programs
• Online learning platforms like Tuttle Twins Academy, which cover economics, history, entrepreneurship, and critical thinking for teens
• Homeschool co-ops based coursework
• Unschooling and interest-led methods
• A custom mix of all of the above

The Tuttle Twins Homeschool Hub is also worth bookmarking early - it covers ESA funding options and curriculum resources in one place.

Step 3: Set Up Your Learning Environment

Designate a workspace, gather your materials, and build a loose schedule. Structure matters less in Idaho than in most states, but having a rhythm helps both parent and child settle into the routine.

Step 4: Connect with Your Local Homeschool Community

Find your county's support groups or co-ops early. The practical advice you will get from experienced Idaho homeschoolers is worth more than most guides you will read online.

Step 5: Start Keeping Records

Even though Idaho does not require it, begin a simple folder system from day one. Courses covered, books used, projects completed. Your future self and your student's college application will thank you.

References

• Home School Legal Defense Association. (n.d.). How to comply with Idaho's homeschool law. HSLDA. https://hslda.org/post/how-to-comply-with-idahos-homeschool-law
• Homeschool Idaho. (n.d.). Idaho homeschool law. Homeschool Idaho. 
• Idaho Legislature. (2009). Idaho Code - Compulsory attendance; exemptions. Idaho Legislature. 
• Idaho State Tax Commission. (n.d.). Parental choice tax credit and advance payment. Idaho State Tax Commission. 
• Miacademy. (2025, September 8). How to homeschool legally in Idaho. Miacademy. 
• U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.). Idaho state regulation of private and home schools. U.S. Department of Education.