How To Start Home School
In Arkansas, homeschooling is an educational choice in which the parent/guardian takes both the practical and legal responsibility for their child’s education. The Arkansas Department of Education oversees homeschoolers in Arkansas. For more information about homeschooling in Arkansas, see their website.
Homeschooling has been legal in Arkansas since 1985. We Recommend reading the Arkansas State Laws governing homeschooling for yourself.
In Arkansas, parents or guardians desiring to provide home school for their children must…
- Fill out a Notice of Intent to Home School and Waiver (releasing the state from liability for your children’s education) and submit it to your local school superintendent’s office.
- At the beginning of each school year, but no later than August 15;
- By December 15 for parents who decide to start home schooling at the beginning of the spring semester.
REACH Membership
So, now that you are legally set up to begin homeschooling, what’s next? Here are a few resources that can help you begin educating your children at home. However, none of these are as good as connecting, in person, with other home schooling families in your community. It is important for both parents and kids to have friends who understand the ups and downs of the homeschooling experience. REACH is a community of home schooling families from beginners to seasoned experts in home schooling who support each other through a variety of academic and social activities. We welcome you to learn more about REACH. If you decide to join the REACH family, complete the online Membership Application. The Member’s Area of our website also contains many more resources for homeschooling.
Homeschooling Resources
Home School Legal Defense Association – provides a plethora of information and help for all ages of homeschoolers and legal assistance for home school families.
Education Alliance – Supports home school efforts in Arkansas, provides home school identification cards, transcripts, diplomas, high school graduations, and more.