Homeschool Guide

How to Homeschool in Arkansas

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Here is exactly what Arkansas requires to homeschool legally - how to notify (if needed), what records to keep, testing rules, and how to get started.

Last updated June 2026

Notice required
Required
Instructional days
1000 hrs/year
Portfolio
Not required
Testing / evaluation
Required

Arkansas homeschool requirements

  • Notification: Submit a Notice of Intent to Homeschool to the local school district by August 15 (or within 30 days of beginning).
  • Required subjects: Cover Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, Health, PE, Fine Arts, Career Education.
  • Teacher requirement: No teacher certification is required to teach your own children.
  • Portfolio / records: No portfolio is required by the state, though keeping records is recommended.
  • Testing / evaluation: Annual standardized testing required in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. Results must be kept on file.
  • Recordkeeping: Keep your homeschool records for at least 3 years.

Key dates & deadlines

At the start of the yearFile your required notification with the district or state.
AnnuallyRenew your notification and complete the required assessment.

Getting started in Arkansas

  1. File your required notification with your district or the state (see requirements above).
  2. Set up simple records: a log of instruction and samples of your child’s work.
  3. Choose curriculum covering Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, Health, PE, Fine Arts, Career Education.
  4. Plan for the required annual assessment or evaluation.
  5. Check your eligibility for Education Freedom Account (LEARNS Act), and start keeping receipts for anything you buy for school.
  6. Keep your records on file for at least 3 years.

Scholarships & funding in Arkansas

Arkansas homeschool families may be eligible for Education Freedom Account (LEARNS Act). Programs like this reimburse or directly fund approved purchases - curriculum, tutoring, testing, and often therapies - against categories the program sets, and every claim has to be documented with receipts. Application windows and award amounts change year to year, so check the official program page before you plan around them.

  • Education Freedom Account (LEARNS Act) - Administered by Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. Typically covers private school tuition & fees, curriculum & instructional materials, tutoring services, educational therapies, technology & computing devices, transportation, testing & assessment. Every claim needs a receipt, and some categories need approval before you buy. Official information: https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/offices/office-of-school-choice-and-parent-empowerment/education-freedom-accounts

Official resources

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to notify the state to homeschool in Arkansas?
Submit a Notice of Intent to Homeschool to the local school district by August 15 (or within 30 days of beginning).
Do I need to be a certified teacher?
No - there is no teacher-certification requirement.
Is standardized testing required?
Annual standardized testing required in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. Results must be kept on file.
How long should I keep records?
Keep your homeschool records for at least 3 years.
Is there scholarship or ESA funding for homeschoolers in Arkansas?
Yes. Arkansas runs Education Freedom Account (LEARNS Act). Eligibility, award amounts, and application windows are set by the program and change year to year, so confirm the current rules on the official page before you rely on them.
What subjects must I teach in Arkansas?
Arkansas requires you to cover Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, Health, PE, Fine Arts, Career Education. Beyond that the choice of curriculum and approach is yours.
How many days or hours of instruction does Arkansas require?
Arkansas expects about 1000 hours of instruction a year. Logging lessons as you go is far easier than reconstructing the total later.
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This guide is general information, not legal advice. Homeschool laws change - verify current requirements with your Arkansas department of education or county superintendent.