Thinking about pulling your kid out of school to teach them at home? Idaho makes this easier than almost any other state. Seriously.
You’re gonna want to read this before you start. It’s short, it’s simple, and it covers everything you actually need to know.
What Is Homeschooling Under Idaho Law?
Homeschooling means teaching your child at home instead of sending them to public or private school. In Idaho, this is completely legal. So simple!
The state treats home education as a real option, just like public school. Idaho doesn’t try to control how you do it. That’s the whole point of this guide.
Basic Idaho Homeschool Laws
Do You Need to Notify Anyone?
Nope. Not sure what most states require? Many ask parents to file paperwork or send a notice. Idaho doesn’t.
You don’t need to register with the state. You don’t need to tell your school district. You don’t need permission from anyone. Pretty straightforward.
There’s one small exception, though. If your child is already enrolled in public school, you should tell the school before you pull them out. This isn’t a homeschool law exactly. It just helps you avoid truancy trouble, which is when a school thinks your kid is skipping without a good reason.
What About Teacher Qualifications?
Here’s where it gets interesting. Idaho doesn’t require parents to have any teaching degree or certification. You could have never taught a day in your life. Doesn’t matter.
Any parent or legal guardian may instruct their children at home. You can also have another adult teach your child, like a relative or tutor. Honestly, this flexibility is a big reason families love homeschooling in Idaho.
Age Requirements and Subjects
Who Has to Be in School?
Idaho’s compulsory attendance age range is short. Your child needs to be receiving instruction between ages 7 and 16. That’s actually the shortest range in the whole country.
Wondering what that means for you? Kids under 7 don’t legally need any formal schooling yet. And once your child turns 16, the law no longer requires them to keep attending. Makes sense, right?
This gives families a lot of room to plan. Some parents start teaching early. Others wait until their child is closer to 7. Both are fine.
What Subjects Do You Have to Teach?
Idaho law says homeschool instruction must cover subjects that are commonly and usually taught in public schools. Stay with me here, because this part confuses a lot of people.
The law doesn’t list exact subjects. But most families stick to these core areas: language arts, math, science, and social studies. Think of it like a loose guideline, not a strict checklist.
You’re free to add art, music, foreign languages, or anything else your child wants to learn. There’s no approved curriculum list either. You pick what works.
Penalties and Consequences
Here’s the good news. If you’re actually homeschooling and teaching the basic subjects, there’s really nothing to worry about.
Idaho doesn’t have a system to check up on homeschoolers. No inspections. No required reports. No standardized tests. Nobody from the state is going to show up and quiz your kid.
But hold on, this part is important. The exemption from public school attendance only applies if you’re truly providing instruction. If a child isn’t being educated at all and isn’t enrolled anywhere, that’s a different problem entirely. That could be treated as truancy, which can involve the courts and possible penalties for the parents.
Think of it like a car with no speed limit sign. There’s still an expectation you’re driving responsibly, even without someone checking constantly.
Special Circumstances
Record Keeping: Not Required, But Smart
You don’t have to keep any records under Idaho law. No portfolios. No attendance logs. Nothing submitted to anyone.
Personally, I think skipping records completely is a mistake, even though it’s allowed. Here’s why. If your child ever wants to apply to college, you’ll likely need a transcript. That means a list of courses, credit hours, and grades from high school.
A friend of mine started homeschooling without keeping any records. Then her son wanted to apply to a university. She spent weeks trying to reconstruct four years of coursework from memory. Don’t be like her.
Keep a simple folder. Toss in writing samples, test scores if you ever take any, and a basic log of what you covered each year. It doesn’t need to be fancy.
Access to Public School Sports
Confused about whether your homeschooled child can still play sports? Homeschoolers have guaranteed access to public school athletics under state law. This is a real benefit. Not every state offers it.
If your child wants to play football, run track, or join the swim team, they can usually do that through their local public school.
Money Available for Homeschool Families
This part surprised me. Idaho actually has financial help for homeschoolers now.
The Empowering Parents Program offers a grant of up to $1,000 per qualifying student, with a family maximum of $3,000. This money can go toward curriculum, tutoring, and other learning materials.
There’s also the Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit. This was signed into law in early 2025 and offers up to $5,000 per student, or $7,500 for students with special needs. The application window usually runs from mid-January through mid-March, so don’t miss it if you plan to apply.
Don’t skip these programs just because you assume you won’t qualify. Income limits are often higher than people expect. Worst case, you’re turned down. Best case, you get real money back for school supplies and lessons.
How to Start Homeschooling in Idaho
Ready to get going? Here’s what you actually need to do.
First, if your child is enrolled in public school right now, notify the school in writing or in person. Keep a copy for yourself. This protects you if any truancy questions ever come up later.
Next, pick subjects to teach. Focus on language arts, math, science, and social studies as your foundation. Add whatever else fits your child’s interests.
Then just start teaching. There’s no form to file, no waiting period, no approval needed. You’re already following the law.
Finally, consider setting up a simple record system. Trust me, this works. Future you will be thankful, especially if your child heads toward high school or college.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register my homeschool with the state of Idaho?
No. Idaho does not require any notification, registration, or filing to begin homeschooling.
Do I need a teaching degree to homeschool in Idaho?
No. Idaho’s homeschool law does not specify any education level or certification needed by the parents in order to homeschool.
Is standardized testing required for homeschoolers in Idaho?
No. Idaho does not require homeschooled students to take any standardized tests.
What ages are covered by Idaho’s compulsory attendance law?
Children between ages 7 and 16 must be receiving instruction, whether at home or in a school.
Can my homeschooled child play sports at the public school?
Yes. Idaho law guarantees homeschoolers access to public school athletic programs.
Is financial help available for homeschool families in Idaho?
Yes. The Empowering Parents Program and the Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit both offer money toward educational expenses for eligible families.
Final Thoughts
Idaho is genuinely one of the easiest states to homeschool in. No paperwork. No testing. No teacher requirements. Just you, your child, and the freedom to teach how you see fit.
That said, easy doesn’t mean lazy. Keep some records. Cover the core subjects. Look into the grant programs while they’re available.
Now you know the basics. Stay informed, stay organized, and when in doubt, check the official sources below or talk to a local homeschool group.
References
- Idaho Code Section 33-202, Idaho Legislature: https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title33/t33ch2/sect33-202/
- Home School Legal Defense Association, Idaho Summary: https://hslda.org/legal/idaho
- Homeschool Idaho, Idaho Homeschool Law Overview: https://homeschoolidaho.org/idaho-homeschool-law/
- Idaho State Board of Education, Empowering Parents Program: https://sde.idaho.gov/
- Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit Information, State of Idaho: https://tax.idaho.gov/
