Arkansas · Light-touch

Homeschooling in Arkansas

Arkansas asks you to file a notice before you begin. Here is what goes in it, when it is due, and what happens after.

VerifiedMarch 2026

Notice of intentFile every yearAugust 15 annually to local public school superintendent; mid-year beginners subject to 5-school-day waiting period before release from public school

Yearly assessmentNot required

Instruction timeNo minimum set

RecordsYour choice

How to start homeschooling in Arkansas

Written from Arkansas's own rules. If a step is missing below, it is because your state does not ask for it.

Withdraw from the school your child attends now
If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are moving to home education. Keep a dated copy for yourself — it is the record that closes out their enrollment.
Send your notice of intent
Arkansas asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: August 15 annually to local public school superintendent; mid-year beginners subject to 5-school-day waiting period before release from public school You will do this again at the start of every school year. It goes to Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) / Local Superintendent.
Choose what to teach
Arkansas does not name required subjects, so your curriculum is your own decision. Most families still cover reading, writing, and math daily, and let interest lead the rest.
Keep a light record as you go
Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. Arkansas does not require you to keep records, but a simple folder of work samples makes transcripts and college applications far easier later on.

Source: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) / Local Superintendent — dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/office-of-school-choice-and-parent-empowerment/home-schools. Checked March 2026.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) / Local Superintendent
When it is due: August 15 annually to local public school superintendent; mid-year beginners subject to 5-school-day waiting period before release from public school
How often: Every school year
Notarized?: No
Official form: dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/office-of-school-choice-and-parent-empowerment/home-schools/notice-of-intent
Ongoing reporting: None

Testing, portfolios and reviews

No yearly assessment

Arkansasdoes not require a standardized test or an evaluator's review. Plenty of families still keep a folder of work through the year — not because the state asks, but because it makes a transcript or a college application far easier to put together later.

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects: Arkansas does not name required subjects — the curriculum is yours to choose.
Instruction time: Arkansas sets no minimum number of days or hours.
Who may teach: No teaching certificate, degree, or credential is required of you.
Keeping records: No retention period is set. Keeping a simple folder is still worth doing.
Legal routes: Home School under Arkansas Code § 6-15-501 et seq. — file annual Notice of Intent with local superintendent by August 15; include each student's name, sex, DOB, grade level, and last school attended; no state approval required; may indicate intent to participate in public school interscholastic activities on the NOI form

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Public school sports: Arkansas Act of 2023 requires school districts to permit local homeschooled students to participate in sports and other activities regulated by the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA). Students must meet the same academic eligibility standards as public school students. A 365-day waiting period applies if a student withdraws from public school in 8th grade or later to be homeschooled before they may participate in interscholastic activities. Students must indicate their intent to participate in interscholastic activities on the annual NOI form.
Dual enrollment: Arkansas homeschoolers may participate in dual enrollment programs at Arkansas community colleges and universities. Students must meet standard placement requirements. The Arkansas Department of Higher Education oversees dual enrollment policies.
Diplomas: No state-issued diploma for homeschoolers. Parents issue diplomas and transcripts. Accredited programs provide recognized diplomas. Arkansas colleges generally accept homeschool applicants with ACT scores and transcripts.
College admissions: Arkansas public universities (U of A, Arkansas State, UALR) accept homeschool applicants with ACT scores and parent-prepared transcripts. Strong ACT scores are particularly important. Some institutions request course descriptions.
Support for additional needs: Homeschooled Arkansas students do not retain FAPE rights. Child Find evaluations are available upon request. Service access varies by district.

Money your family can claim in Arkansas

Education Freedom Account (EFA)

Run by Arkansas Department of Education, Office of School Choice and Parent Empowerment

The award amount is set by the program and changes from year to year. Check the official page below for this year's figure rather than an estimate.

How you get it: Families may ask the Arkansas EFA office to add an eligible provider.

Award amounts are reset each school year — check the state's page for this year's figure before you budget.
Arkansas sets credential rules for tutoring providers, so not every tutor can be paid from the account.

Source: dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/office-of-school-choice-and-parent-empowerment/education-freedom-accounts/information-for-service-providers. Checked July 26, 2026. Eligibility and application dates are set by the program — the official page is always the last word.

Questions parents ask about Arkansas

Is homeschooling legal in Arkansas?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Arkansas. Arkansas is considered one of the easiest states for homeschoolers — minimal regulation, no notice required, and maximum family freedom.

Do I need to file a Notice of Intent to homeschool in Arkansas?

Yes. Arkansas requires families to file a Notice of Intent by August 15 annually to local public school superintendent; mid-year beginners subject to 5-school-day waiting period before release from public school. This notice must be renewed annually.

How many instruction days are required in Arkansas?

Arkansas does not mandate a minimum amount of instruction time.

What subjects are required by law in Arkansas?

Arkansas does not mandate specific subjects, giving families complete freedom to design their own curriculum.

Does Arkansas require annual assessment for homeschoolers?

No. Arkansas does not require formal annual assessment. Families may voluntarily track progress for college application purposes.

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Arkansas?

No. Arkansas does not require parents to hold a teaching certificate or any specific educational credential to homeschool their children.

Can homeschoolers participate in public school sports in Arkansas?

Yes. Arkansas has a law (sometimes called a "Tim Tebow" law) allowing homeschooled students to participate in public school extracurricular activities. Arkansas Act of 2023 requires school districts to permit local homeschooled students to participate in sports and other activities regulated by the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA). Students must meet the same academic eligibility standards as public school students. A 365-day waiting period applies if a student withdraws from public school in 8th grade or later to be homeschooled before they may participate in interscholastic activities. Students must indicate their intent to participate in interscholastic activities on the annual NOI form.

Worth knowing about Arkansas

Arkansas is considered very low-regulation. The annual NOI is the sole legal requirement — no subjects, testing, days, hours, or teacher qualifications mandated. Arkansas Act 832 (2015) repealed mandatory testing. The 2023 sports access law added a meaningful benefit. The Education Alliance (arkansashomeschool.org) is the primary statewide advocacy and support organization.

Who to ask in Arkansas

Regulator: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) / Local Superintendent
Official site: dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/office-of-school-choice-and-parent-empowerment/home-schools
Forms: dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/office-of-school-choice-and-parent-empowerment/home-schools/notice-of-intent

Free tools for your first year

Everything below works whether or not you ever pay us a penny. Use what helps with Arkansas's requirements and ignore the rest.

Transcript builderBuild a clean high-school transcript with GPA and credits, ready to send to a college.Paperwork generatorFill in your details and get the letter or affidavit your state expects, already worded for it.Printable worksheetsPrint practice pages by grade and subject for the days a screen is the wrong answer.Instruction day logTick off days as you go so the count is already done when your state asks for it.State fundingSee whether your state puts education money in your hands, and how to claim it.Starting guideThe whole first year in five steps, written for someone who has never done this before.

Other states

Alabama Alaska Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho All 51 →

This page was written from Arkansas's published rules and last checked in March 2026. Laws change between checks, so confirm anything you are about to file with Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) / Local Superintendent. This is information for families, not legal advice.

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How to start homeschooling in Arkansas

Written from Arkansas's own rules. If a step is missing below, it is because your state does not ask for it.

Withdraw from the school your child attends now

If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are moving to home education. Keep a dated copy for yourself — it is the record that closes out their enrollment.

Send your notice of intent

Arkansas asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: August 15 annually to local public school superintendent; mid-year beginners subject to 5-school-day waiting period before release from public school You will do this again at the start of every school year. It goes to Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) / Local Superintendent.

Choose what to teach

Arkansas does not name required subjects, so your curriculum is your own decision. Most families still cover reading, writing, and math daily, and let interest lead the rest.

Keep a light record as you go

Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. Arkansas does not require you to keep records, but a simple folder of work samples makes transcripts and college applications far easier later on.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it

Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) / Local Superintendent

When it is due

August 15 annually to local public school superintendent; mid-year beginners subject to 5-school-day waiting period before release from public school

How often

Every school year

Notarized?

Official form

dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/office-of-school-choice-and-parent-empowerment/home-schools/notice-of-intent

Ongoing reporting

None

Testing, portfolios and reviews

No yearly assessment

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects

Arkansas does not name required subjects — the curriculum is yours to choose.

Instruction time

Arkansas sets no minimum number of days or hours.

Who may teach

No teaching certificate, degree, or credential is required of you.

Keeping records

No retention period is set. Keeping a simple folder is still worth doing.

Legal routes

Home School under Arkansas Code § 6-15-501 et seq. — file annual Notice of Intent with local superintendent by August 15; include each student's name, sex, DOB, grade level, and last school attended; no state approval required; may indicate intent to participate in public school interscholastic activities on the NOI form

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Public school sports

Arkansas Act of 2023 requires school districts to permit local homeschooled students to participate in sports and other activities regulated by the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA). Students must meet the same academic eligibility standards as public school students. A 365-day waiting period applies if a student withdraws from public school in 8th grade or later to be homeschooled before they may participate in interscholastic activities. Students must indicate their intent to participate in interscholastic activities on the annual NOI form.

Dual enrollment

Arkansas homeschoolers may participate in dual enrollment programs at Arkansas community colleges and universities. Students must meet standard placement requirements. The Arkansas Department of Higher Education oversees dual enrollment policies.

Diplomas

No state-issued diploma for homeschoolers. Parents issue diplomas and transcripts. Accredited programs provide recognized diplomas. Arkansas colleges generally accept homeschool applicants with ACT scores and transcripts.

College admissions

Arkansas public universities (U of A, Arkansas State, UALR) accept homeschool applicants with ACT scores and parent-prepared transcripts. Strong ACT scores are particularly important. Some institutions request course descriptions.

Support for additional needs

Homeschooled Arkansas students do not retain FAPE rights. Child Find evaluations are available upon request. Service access varies by district.