Arizona Revised Statutes for Home Schooling

The Arizona Revised Statutes referred to in this page can be viewed on the Arizona State Legislature website at http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ArizonaRevisedStatutes.asp. Specifically, you may review Title 15 dealing with Education.

Arizona Educational Requirements
With reference to Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) 15-802, the following is required of children ages 6 to 16 in Arizona:

"Section A. Every child between the ages of six and sixteen years shall attend a school and shall be provided instruction in at least the subjects of reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies and science. The person who has custody of the child shall choose a public, private, charter or home school as defined in this section to provide instruction."

Home School Definition
As prescribed in ARS 15-802, home schooling is defined as:

"Section 1. "Home school" means a school conducted primarily by the parent, guardian or other person who has custody of the child or instruction provided in the child's home."

Home School Registration
In order to register as a home school family, you must be in compliance with ARS 15-802, which reads:

"Section 2. If the child will attend a private school or home school, file an affidavit of intent with the county school superintendent stating that the child is attending a regularly organized private school or is being provided with instruction in a home school. The affidavit of intent shall include:

1. The child's name.
2. The child's date of birth.
3. The current address of the school the child is attending.
4. The names, telephone numbers and addresses of the persons who currently have custody of the child."

Compliance with the proof of birth requirement is also needed. ARS 15-828 states:

"Section B. If a child is instructed at home pursuant to section 15-802, the person who has custody of the child shall, within thirty days after the home instruction begins, provide to the county school superintendent of the county in which the child resides one of the following:

1. A certified copy of the child's birth certificate.
2. Other reliable proof of the child's identity and age, including the child's baptismal certificate, an application for a social security number or original school registration records and an affidavit explaining the inability to provide a copy of the birth certificate.
3. A letter from the authorized representative of an agency having custody of the pupil pursuant to title 8, chapter 2 certifying that the pupil has been placed in the custody of the agency as prescribed by law."

Affidavits of Intent for Home Schooling are valid until the child turns sixteen or is withdrawn from home schooling.

In order to receive an Affidavit of Intent, you can request that one be sent to you, or the affidavit can be downloaded from our website at http://www.maricopa.gov/schools/homeschool/hsforms.aspx.

The original Affidavit of Intent for Home Schooling needs to be submitted to our office, faxed or photocopied affidavits will not be accepted. Also, the certified birth certificate copy is required for registration, photocopies of the document will not be accepted.

Confirmation of Registration
In order to receive confirmation of registration as a home school student, a written request needs to be made and sent with the registration materials (the affidavit and certified birth certificate), along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The confirmation of registration is a copy of the County date stamped affidavit.

Confidentiality
The submitted Affidavit of Intent will be kept confidential during the entire duration of your home schooling career. Home school affidavits are kept on file until one year after the student withdraws from home schooling or reaches the age of 16, then the records are destroyed, pursuant to Records Retention Schedules of the Maricopa County Superintendent of Schools’ Office.

Termination of Home Schooling
If you decide to stop home schooling for any reason, or if the student has reached age 16, ARS 15-802 requires the following:

"Section C. An affidavit of intent shall be filed within thirty days from the time the child begins to attend a private school or home school and is not required thereafter unless the private school or the home school instruction is terminated and then resumed. The person who has custody of the child shall notify the county school superintendent within thirty days of the termination that the child is no longer being instructed at a private school or a home school. If the private school or home school instruction is resumed, the person who has custody of the child shall file another affidavit of intent with the county school superintendent within thirty days."

Obtaining a Birth Certificate
If you do not have a certified copy of the student’s birth certificate, or if it has been lost, contact the Department of Vital Records to obtain a new copy. The website address for the Arizona Department of Vital Records is http://www.azdhs.gov/vitalrcd/index.htm.

Testing of Home Schooled Students
For restrictions regarding the testing of home schooled students, refer to ARS 15-745, which reads:

"Section A. Nothing in this article shall be construed to require the testing of children who are instructed in a home school program while they are receiving home school instruction.

Section B. A child who enrolls in a kindergarten program or grades one through twelve after receiving instruction in a home school program shall be tested pursuant to this article in order to determine the appropriate grade level for the educational placement of the child."

Special Needs or Special Education
If a home schooled student requires some type of special education services, refer to ARS 15-763, which says:

"Section D. If federal monies are provided to a school district or a charter school for special education services to home schooled or private schooled pupils, the school district or charter school shall provide the services to both the home schooled pupils and the private schooled pupils in the same manner."

Call the school district where the student resides to inquire about what services are available and what arrangements can be made for the student.

Interscholastic Activities
If a home schooled student desires to participate in some type of interscholastic activity, refer to ARS 15-802.01. This statute states:

"Section A. Notwithstanding any other law, a child who resides within the attendance area of a public school and who is instructed at home shall be allowed to try out for interscholastic activities on behalf of the public school in the same manner as a pupil who is enrolled in that public school. Registration, age eligibility requirements, fees, insurance, transportation, physical condition, qualifications, responsibilities, event schedules, standards of behavior and performance policies for home schooled students shall be consistent with those policies established for students enrolled in that public school. The individual providing the primary instruction of a child who is instructed at home shall submit written verification that provides:

1. Whether the student is receiving a passing grade in each course or subject being taught.
2. Whether the student is maintaining satisfactory progress towards advancement or promotion.

Section B. A child who is instructed at home and who was previously enrolled in a school shall be ineligible to participate in interscholastic activities for the remainder of the school year during which the child was enrolled in a school."

Contact the school district where the student resides for more information on the above listed statute.

High School Education with Home Schooling
If the home schooled student has reached high school and home schooling is still desired, there are three options for a high school home school curriculum design.

Option 1: If a GED is desired, the guardian would continue to design a fitting high school curriculum and teach that program to the student. A student is eligible to take the GED test at age 16, and must be fully withdrawn from any educational program in order to take the test. A Withdrawal Form would need to be completed in order to take the GED test, and a date stamped copy of the withdrawal form is sometimes required by the testing facility; if this is the case a date stamped copy may be obtained from this office by request through the mail or by coming in. For more information on the GED or testing facilities, call the Arizona Department of Education's GED Line at (602) 258-2410 ext. 222.

Option 2: If an accredited diploma is desired, the guardian must use an accredited online or correspondence program as their curriculum base. Once a student has completed the program, an accredited diploma would be issued. Refer to our Home School Resource Directory for a few accredited programs. For more programs or to check if a program is accredited or not, contact the NCA Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement at (800) 525-9517.

Option 3: You can also issue your own diploma.

Re-Entering a Public School
If a home schooled student is re-entering a public school, remember to file a Withdrawal Form with the County.