Arkansas Homeschool Requirements Checklist
Everything you need to do to homeschool legally in Arkansas, based on A.C.A. 6-15-501 through 6-15-507. Arkansas is classified as Low regulation.
This is the general checklist for Home School Under Notice (A.C.A. 6-15-501 et seq.), the most common of Arkansas's 2 pathways. Our free wizard customizes this for your family, including grade, pathway, enrollment status, and IEP.
Your compliance checklist
Do first
File your Notice of Intent
Submit to superintendent of local school district. Deadline: August 15, or at least 14 days before beginning homeschooling if starting mid-year.
Deadline: August 15, or at least 14 days before beginning homeschooling if starting mid-year
More details
Many districts provide a standard form, but the statute does not mandate a specific form. A simple written letter suffices. No approval required; filing the notice is sufficient. No curriculum description required in the notice.
Send a withdrawal letter
If your child is currently enrolled in school, send a withdrawal letter to superintendent of the school district where the child was enrolled.
Deadline: Before you start (if enrolled)
More details
Written notice of intent to home school must be filed by August 15 for the upcoming school year. Forms submitted after August 15 for a student currently enrolled in public school are subject to a 5-school-day waiting period. Also advisable to notify the school directly and request a copy of the child's records.
Ongoing
Renew each year
You must renew your homeschool notice each year by August 15.
More details
The only ongoing obligation is the annual notice each year. No end-of-year reports, test scores, or curriculum reports required.
Good news
No specific subjects required
Arkansas law does not enumerate specific required subjects for home schools. Parents have broad discretion over curriculum. No requirement to use state-approved textbooks or follow the state curriculum framework.
No instructional time minimums
No minimum hours or days of instruction required.
No testing or assessment required
No standardized testing or assessments required under this pathway.
Education savings: Arkansas LEARNS Act ESA
Arkansas LEARNS Act ESA: ~$6,864/student ($1,716/quarter; 2025-2026) — All Arkansas students (universal)
More details
ESA funds ($6,600/student for 2025-2026) can be used for private school tuition, homeschool curriculum and materials, tutoring, educational therapies, testing fees, and other approved expenses. Universal eligibility — all K-12 Arkansas students qualify with no enrollment cap. Homeschoolers who participate must take an annual test and may need to meet additional requirements. Administered by DESE.
Filing requirements
- What to file
- simple notice
- Send to
- superintendent of local school district
- Deadline
- August 15, or at least 14 days before beginning homeschooling if starting mid-year
- How often
- annual
- Official form
- Download / access form
Many districts provide a standard form, but the statute does not mandate a specific form. A simple written letter suffices. No approval required; filing the notice is sufficient. No curriculum description required in the notice.
A.C.A. 6-15-502 (right to home school; notice requirements)
Ongoing requirements
Reporting
- Annual renewal
- Required by August 15
The only ongoing obligation is the annual notice each year. No end-of-year reports, test scores, or curriculum reports required.
A.C.A. 6-15-502 (annual written notice to superintendent)
What you don't need to worry about
No specific subjects required
Arkansas law does not enumerate specific required subjects for home schools. Parents have broad discretion over curriculum. No requirement to use state-approved textbooks or follow the state curriculum framework.
No instructional time minimums
No minimum hours or days of instruction required.
No testing or assessment required
No standardized testing or assessments required under this pathway.
Education savings: Arkansas LEARNS Act ESA
Arkansas LEARNS Act ESA: ~$6,864/student ($1,716/quarter; 2025-2026) — All Arkansas students (universal)
Other ways to homeschool in Arkansas
This checklist covers Home School Under Notice (A.C.A. 6-15-501 et seq.), the most common pathway. Arkansas offers 2 different ways to homeschool, each with different requirements:
- •Home School Under Notice (A.C.A. 6-15-501 et seq.)(this checklist) : You file a simple notice of intent with your local school district superintendent by August 15 each year. No required subjects, no testing, no recordkeeping, and no curriculum approval — Arkansas is one of the least regulated states for homeschooling. Your only ongoing obligation is renewing the notice annually.
- •Private/Umbrella School Enrollment : You enroll in a private umbrella school that handles filings and compliance on your behalf. You still teach at home, but the school provides administrative structure, and requirements depend on that school's policies. Best for families who want organizational support or prefer having a school name on records.
Our wizard helps you choose the right one. Compare all pathways for Arkansas
Education savings available
Arkansas offers Arkansas LEARNS Act ESA. Learn about ESA programs
Related guides
Get your personalized checklist
This is the general checklist for the most common pathway. The wizard customizes it for your family's specific situation, including grade, pathway, and IEP status.
Get your Arkansas checklistRequirements sourced from A.C.A. 6-15-501 through 6-15-507. Verified against primary legal sources. Last verified: March 2026