If you live in Idaho and you are ready to start homeschooling your children, then you have come to the right place.
We have put together a complete guide to homeschooling in Idaho that will answer all the basic questions you have to get started.
Read on to find out everything you need to know in order to start homeschooling in Idaho.
Requirements For Homeschooling In Idaho
Idaho is one of the more relaxed states in the United States when it comes to homeschooling. It doesn’t have too many requirements you, as parents, need to meet, and in most cases, there aren’t too many formalities you need to meet in order to start homeschooling.
To get a better idea of the requirements for homeschooling in Idaho, check out the list below:
If you are homeschooling, you must teach your children subjects that they would usually be taught in a more traditional school setting. This includes things such as English, math, science, and related subjects.
No notice of intent is required if your children have never been enrolled in a public school before.
If your child has been enrolled in a public school before, you need to file a notice of intent to your school and school district.
Some schools may have a withdrawal form you need to fill out, but this varies from school to school.
Record keeping is not required in Idaho, but it is beneficial for the future. We will go more into record-keeping below.
Children between the ages of 7 and 16 in Idaho must attend formal schooling. This can be public school or homeschooling. Children who are homeschooled cannot graduate before they are 16.
Parents do not need any specific qualifications to homeschool in the state of Idaho.
As long as you make sure you meet these requirements, you should have no issues in homeschooling your children in the state.
As you can see, there aren’t too many requirements you really need to meet, and Idaho is one of the easiest states to homeschool in.
Record Keeping In Idaho
As we have previously mentioned, record keeping is not a requirement by law in the state of Idaho, but it is beneficial.
The reason record keeping is beneficial is because it will come in handy if your children wish to go to college or learn a specific trade after compulsory school.
It shows future prospects that your children have been in full-time education and have examples of their work and attendance, which can help them get into higher levels of education.
When it comes to what you should keep track of, the following is recommended:
Samples of your children’s work
Extracurricular activities
Assessment scores and related testing scores
Attendance records
Homeschool transcripts
Writing samples
You can keep other records if you want to, but as it isn’t compulsory to keep records in the state of Idaho, you don’t have to do any of this if you don’t want to.
If your kids are older and they are not planning on attending college, then you don’t even need to consider record keeping.
Qualifications For Homeschooling In Idaho
Like a lot of other requirements for homeschooling in the state of Idaho, the qualifications needed to homeschool here are pretty relaxed.
You do not need any teaching degrees or college credits, and you do not need any specific level of education in order to homeschool.
This makes it a lot more accessible to parents who may not have their high school diploma or equivalent.
Different Types Of Homeschooling Options In Idaho
Like other states in the U.S., there are plenty of different homeschooling options available in Idaho.
Some of the most popular types of homeschooling include online homeschooling, K12-powered schools, and umbrella schools.
Each type of homeschooling option has its pros and cons, and no two kids learn in the same way.
It is important to do your research on the different kinds of homeschooling options in Idaho before you and your children make a final decision.
For a better idea of the popular types of homeschooling options in Idaho, read more about them below.
Online Homeschooling
Online homeschooling in Idaho is pretty much the same as Virtual Schools. This type of homeschooling option requires your children to learn courses and take classes online through various programs.
Usually, these online schools are run by certified and qualified teachers in their fields, and these classes are beneficial for your children if they want to learn about more specialized subjects.
There are plenty of options for online homeschooling and virtual classes in the state of Idaho, but it is very important to do your own research and find a class that works best for your children.
K12-Powered Schools
K12-powered schools are perfect for parents and children who want a more structured environment.
These types of schools usually provide the curriculum for your children, and they also adhere to state testing, school accountability, and attendance policies.
This type of homeschooling is more like public schooling at home, and it is a lot more traditional than online homeschooling and umbrella schools.
If you want to take your children out of the public school environment but you still want them to have something close to a public school education, this is one of the best options for you to look into.
Umbrella Schools
Umbrella schools operate as part of an already established community, and they are overseen by that community. It is very common for umbrella schools to be available through the church.
These schools usually provide the curriculum for you and your children, and they can offer support when it is needed.
Be advised- umbrella schools are not usually free, even if you are a part of the community that offers them, so you may need to pay in order to use this option.
Days Required For Homeschooling In Idaho
Idaho is one of the few states in the U.S. that doesn’t have any set number of days that are required by law to homeschool.
You are also not required to teach a minimum number of hours per day, so you are free to make your own schedule that suits both you and your children.
If you do want to base your homeschooling routine on the typical public school routine, then you should aim for 173 days per academic year of teaching. But again, this is not a requirement.
As long as you teach subjects on your curriculum that are typically taught in public schools, you can choose what days and hours work for you and your children.
This makes Idaho one of the most flexible states in terms of days and hours.
Standardized Testing In Idaho
Standardized testing is not required in the state of Idaho, but rather, it is optional.
There are plenty of different testing options you can look into online if you do choose to go down the standardized testing route, but be aware that it is completely optional.
Because it is optional, you should take this opportunity to sit down with your kids (especially if they are further into their education) and see what works best for you both.
It is important to do as much research into this as possible to find out what works best for you and your children if you do choose to pursue it.
Returning To Public School After Homeschooling
If, for whatever reason, you and your children decide that they should transition back into public and traditional schooling, there isn’t too much you have to do in order to meet the legal requirements.
When you are ready to transfer your children back to public school, you will need to provide your children’s coursework and records to be reviewed by the school you plan on sending them to.
This is another reason why it is a good idea to keep records. You never know when you or your children might need them!
Once the coursework and records have been reviewed, it is up to the school and school district to place your children into the appropriate grade.
In this situation, your children are considered to be transfer students.
Conclusion
As you can see, the laws and requirements to homeschool in Idaho are quite relaxed. In most cases, you can pull your children out of public school without needing to do too much beforehand.
Even getting them back into public school is quite a straightforward process.
Use all of the information we have provided here in order to make the best decisions for you and your kids.
Remember, you can talk to your school district if you need any extra help, advice, or clarification on homeschooling information and requirements in regard to your children.
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