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Arkansas homeschool requirements

Last checked October 2026. This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Your local school district and the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education have the final say.

Ways to homeschool in Arkansas

Families home school under Arkansas Code 6-15-503 by filing a Notice of Intent each year. Online public charter schools, such as Arkansas Connections Academy and Arkansas Virtual Academy, are public school, not home school, and don't need a Notice of Intent.

What you file, and when

A Notice of Intent to your local school superintendent every year by August 15. You can file online through the state portal or on the paper form. Forms for the next school year open June 1.

The form asks for your name, address and phone, and for each child: legal name, date of birth, gender, grade, and the last school attended. It also asks whether your child plans to take part in public school activities or optional tests.

If you file after August 15 and your child is enrolled in a public school, the school can require a waiting period of 5 school days before releasing your child. You can ask the superintendent to waive it. If you move to a new district, give the new superintendent written notice within 30 days.

Subjects, days and teacher

Arkansas doesn't set subjects, days or hours for home school, and parents don't need any particular education to teach. You set the lesson plans and graduation requirements.

Records

Arkansas doesn't require you to keep records. They still help if your child returns to school or applies to college.

Testing

Home schooled children are not required to take state tests. If your family accepts Education Freedom Account funds, your child must take a standardized test. Optional free tests are available: the PSAT in 10th grade, the ACT in 11th grade, and starting in 2025-26, the ATLAS test in grades 3 to 10.

Paying with an EFA

Arkansas families with an Education Freedom Account can pay for Gallop through ClassWallet at the same price as paying by card. Details are on our Arkansas EFA page.

Where Gallop fits

Gallop's Records report prints, for each child and any date range, the days and minutes they worked, the subjects covered, each skill mastered with its date, and sample questions your child answered correctly. Minutes count time in Gallop only, not all of your teaching. Most parents add it to their own records rather than using it as their only record.

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FAQ

When is the Notice of Intent due?

By August 15 every year. Forms open June 1. After August 15, a public school can require a 5 school day wait unless the superintendent waives it.

Does my child have to take a test?

Not for home school alone. If your family accepts Education Freedom Account funds, your child takes a standardized test.

Can I pay with my EFA?

Yes. Arkansas families can pay through ClassWallet at the same price as paying by card. See our Arkansas EFA page for the steps.

Can I try it first?

Yes. Try 7 sample questions, or start the 7-day free trial. No card needed.

Try 7 sample questionsStart the 7-day free trial

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