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Homeschooling in Idaho

Homeschool rules in Idaho, in plain English

In Idaho, a child from age 7 through 15 must be taught subjects commonly taught in public schools. A homeschooling parent is simply the teacher: there is no registration, no state notice, no testing and no state records to file. You choose the curriculum, and the Idaho Department of Education recommends keeping your own attendance and work records.

See another state

This explains each state's homeschool rules in plain English, from the state's own published sources. It isn't legal advice, and we aren't lawyers. Laws change and every family is different, so check with your state, your school district or a lawyer before you rely on it.

How much it asks
Light: few or no forms
School age
7 through 15
Time
No set number

Option 1

Home instruction by parent

Parents who teach their child at home themselves. Idaho law allows this as private instruction by or at the direction of a parent or guardian, with no state approval or filing.

  1. Before you startPaperwork

    Withdraw from any public school

    If your child is enrolled in a public, charter, or private school, make sure the school has unenrolled them before you start homeschooling. The state recommends confirming this first.

  2. Before you startWhat to teach

    Choose your curriculum and standards

    You decide what to teach. The state does not set a required curriculum. The Idaho Content Standards are available as a reference for what public school students learn at each grade.

  3. OngoingWhat to teach

    Teach subjects commonly taught in public schools

    The law requires instruction in subjects commonly and usually taught in Idaho public schools. The state does not publish a list of required subjects.

  4. OngoingRecords

    Keep your own records

    No records are required by the state. The Department of Education recommends keeping attendance and work-completion records yourself.

Option 2

Enrollment in a public or public charter school, including online

Families who want a public school program, including a district home program or an online or virtual charter school. The child is then a public school student and follows that school's rules.

  1. Before you enrollPaperwork

    Contact the school or district

    Ask about enrollment, which programs are offered, and attendance policies. Each school board sets its own attendance rules for enrolled students.

  2. Before the school year startsPaperwork

    Enroll your child

    Complete the school's enrollment process. Once enrolled, your child must follow the school's attendance policies and regulations.

  3. OngoingTime

    Follow the school's attendance and testing rules

    The school sets the schedule and any testing. Idaho's state-level rules for these depend on the school you choose.

Option 3

Private or parochial school

Families who enroll a child in a private or church school. The law requires attendance for a period each year equal to the public school year.

  1. Before the school year startsPaperwork

    Choose and enroll in a private or parochial school

    Enroll your child in a private or parochial school. The school sets its own admission and attendance rules.

  2. Every school yearTime

    Attend for the required school-year period

    Your child must attend for a period each year equal to the time public schools are in session.

Subjects to teach

  • Subjects commonly and usually taught in Idaho public schools. The state does not publish a required list.

Tests and reviews

Idaho does not require state testing or evaluations for homeschooling families. A local district or charter school may allow a homeschooled child to take its tests, but only if arrangements are made before the testing period. Districts are not required to allow this.

Records to keep

  • No records are required by the state. The Department of Education recommends keeping attendance and work-completion records.

About time

Idaho sets no number of instruction days or hours for homeschooling families. For a private or parochial school, the law requires attendance for a period equal to the public school year.

Also good to know

  • Dual enrollment: under Idaho Code section 33-203, a parent of a child enrolled in a nonpublic or charter school may enroll the child in a public school for dual enrollment. Contact the school or district about its policies.
  • Diplomas: the Department of Education states that homeschooled children do not receive an official diploma from an accredited high school. Colleges and some jobs may have extra entry requirements.
  • Returning to public school: the receiving school decides grade placement and may use testing or review of homeschool coursework.
  • Special education: a school district that runs a home program must still evaluate and provide services to eligible students under IDEA. Parents seeking services for a child in home instruction should contact the local district.

What we couldn’t confirm

  • How long any records should be kept. No official source I read states a retention period.
  • Whether the 2023 House Bill 225 amendment to section 33-202 changed the homeschool wording. I read the current statute text on the legislature website, which matches the description above.

From Idaho’s own sources

Last checked against these sources on November 7, 2026. We check every state each week.

How Study Naturally helps in Idaho

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  • Set each child’s lessons, in the subjects you teach
  • A patient tutor teaches every child at their own level
  • A learning record of days, time and subjects for each child
  • Print it, save it as a PDF, or download a spreadsheet for your files

Homeschooling in Idaho

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