Idaho · Light-touch

Homeschooling in Idaho

Idaho does not ask you to file anything before you begin. Here is what the state does expect, and what it leaves entirely to you.

VerifiedOctober 2026

Notice of intentNothing to file

Testing or assessmentNot required

Instruction timeNo minimum set

RecordsYour choice

How to start homeschooling in Idaho

Written from Idaho'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.
There is no notice to file
Idaho does not ask you to notify anyone before you begin. You can start the day you are ready — no form, no permission, no waiting.
Choose what to teach
Idaho 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. Idaho does not require you to keep records, but a simple folder of work samples makes transcripts and college applications far easier later on.

Filing and reporting

Nothing to file

Idaho does not require a notice of intent, an application, or the state's permission. You do not need to wait for a reply from anyone, because there is no one to write to. There is no ongoing reporting either.

Testing, portfolios and reviews

No testing or assessment

Idaho does 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: Idaho does not name required subjects — the curriculum is yours to choose.
Instruction time: Idaho 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: Homeschool under Idaho Code 33-202: a parent or guardian may have the child privately instructed. The state department says there is no registration or sign-up. The law covers children who have turned 7 by the start of school and are not yet 16.
Umbrella / cover schools: Idaho does not require registration or an umbrella school. Some families choose a private or online program for support; check any provider yourself.

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Public school sports: Idaho has a law on this. Idaho Code 33-203 lets a student in a nonpublic school, including a home school, dual-enroll and take part in nonacademic public school activities, subject to the same behavior standards, living within the school's attendance boundaries, and showing grade-level proficiency on an approved test or portfolio. Ask the school or district for its procedures.
Dual enrollment: Under Idaho Code 33-203, a nonpublic (including home school) student may dual-enroll in a public school program available to other students, and may also dual-enroll in a college. For nonacademic activities the student must show grade-level proficiency (approved test, portfolio or other state board mechanism) and live in the school's attendance area. Each district or charter sets its own enrollment procedures.
Diplomas: The Idaho Department of Education says a homeschooled child will not graduate with an official high school diploma from an accredited high school, which may affect entry into some occupations and adds entry requirements at colleges.
College admissions: College admissions requirements vary by institution. Check each college's current admissions page for its homeschool applicant requirements.
Support for additional needs: Special-education eligibility and services after withdrawal from public school depend on your circumstances and the applicable rules. Confirm with your school district or your state education agency.

Money your family can claim in Idaho

Empowering Parents Grant

Run by Idaho State Board of Education · payments through ClassWallet

$1,000 per child, up to $3,000 per family.

Tutoring is named as a covered expense.

Eligibility and application dates are set by the program. Check the program's official page before you apply.

Questions parents ask about Idaho

Is homeschooling legal in Idaho?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Idaho. Idaho 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 Idaho?

No. Idaho does not require families to file a Notice of Intent before beginning homeschooling. You may start at any time.

How many instruction days are required in Idaho?

Idaho does not mandate a minimum amount of instruction time.

What subjects are required by law in Idaho?

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

Does Idaho require annual assessment for homeschoolers?

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

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Idaho?

No. Idaho 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 Idaho?

Idaho has a law on this. Idaho Code 33-203 lets a student in a nonpublic school, including a home school, dual-enroll and take part in nonacademic public school activities, subject to the same behavior standards, living within the school's attendance boundaries, and showing grade-level proficiency on an approved test or portfolio. Ask the school or district for its procedures.

Worth knowing about Idaho

Idaho Code 33-202 requires children who have turned 7 by the start of school and are not yet 16 to be instructed in subjects commonly and usually taught in Idaho public schools. The Idaho Department of Education says there is no registration, no reporting and no state testing, and that parents are not required to hold teaching licenses. It recommends keeping your own attendance and work records. Dual enrollment is covered by Idaho Code 33-203.

Who to ask in Idaho

Regulator: Idaho Department of Education, School Choice (says Idaho does not regulate or monitor homeschool education)
Official site: www.sde.idaho.gov/school-choice/home-school/
Phone: (208) 332-6800

Tools for your first year

The free tools below work whether or not you ever pay us a penny; each tile says what it needs. Use what helps with Idaho's requirements and ignore the rest.

Transcript builderBuild a clean high-school transcript with GPA and credits. Free copies carry a small Koydo watermark.No account needed Starting guideThe whole first year in five steps, written for someone who has never done this before.No account needed Printable worksheetsPrint practice pages by grade and subject for the days a screen is the wrong answer. A few free pages every day.Free with a Koydo account State fundingSee whether your state puts education money in your hands, and how to claim it.Free with a Koydo account Paperwork generatorFill in your details and get the letter or affidavit your state expects, already worded for it.Needs HomeSchool Premium Instruction day logTick off days as you go so the count is already done when your state asks for it.Needs HomeSchool Premium

Other states

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

Last checked in October 2026. Laws change between checks, so confirm anything you are about to file with Idaho Department of Education, School Choice (says Idaho does not regulate or monitor homeschool education). This is information for families, not legal advice.

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How to start homeschooling in Idaho

Written from Idaho'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.

There is no notice to file

Idaho does not ask you to notify anyone before you begin. You can start the day you are ready — no form, no permission, no waiting.

Choose what to teach

Idaho 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. Idaho does not require you to keep records, but a simple folder of work samples makes transcripts and college applications far easier later on.

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects

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

Instruction time

Idaho 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

Homeschool under Idaho Code 33-202: a parent or guardian may have the child privately instructed. The state department says there is no registration or sign-up. The law covers children who have turned 7 by the start of school and are not yet 16.

Umbrella / cover schools

Idaho does not require registration or an umbrella school. Some families choose a private or online program for support; check any provider yourself.

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Public school sports

Dual enrollment

Under Idaho Code 33-203, a nonpublic (including home school) student may dual-enroll in a public school program available to other students, and may also dual-enroll in a college. For nonacademic activities the student must show grade-level proficiency (approved test, portfolio or other state board mechanism) and live in the school's attendance area. Each district or charter sets its own enrollment procedures.

Diplomas

The Idaho Department of Education says a homeschooled child will not graduate with an official high school diploma from an accredited high school, which may affect entry into some occupations and adds entry requirements at colleges.

College admissions

College admissions requirements vary by institution. Check each college's current admissions page for its homeschool applicant requirements.

Support for additional needs

Special-education eligibility and services after withdrawal from public school depend on your circumstances and the applicable rules. Confirm with your school district or your state education agency.