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Arizona compliance

AI-paraphrased summaries of Arizona education law. Every section links back to the official state source. Not legal advice.

Regulation level None
Legal status Legal
Compulsory ages 6 – 16

ARS-15-2401 — ARS-15-2401

This Arizona statute defines key terms related to education, including eligibility for programs like the Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA). For homeschooling families, it clarifies that certain students, such as those with disabilities, siblings of ESA recipients, or children meeting specific criteria (e.g., military families or those in underperforming school districts), may qualify for state support to fund alternative educational options, including homeschooling. If your child meets any of these criteria, you may be eligible for additional resources to support your homeschooling journey.

For families: Arizona law provides clear and manageable steps for homeschooling families. To comply, parents must submit an annual education plan for students with specific needs, ensuring their eligibility for services through age 22. You’ll also need to choose a curriculum that meets state standards, which can include a variety of flexible and enriching materials. While the details may seem overwhelming at first, rest assured that there are plenty of resources and support available to guide you through the process—you’ve got this!

Key requirements

  • Develop an annual education plan for qualified students who meet specific disability criteria to determine ongoing eligibility until the age of 22.
  • Use a curriculum approved by the department of education for content areas or grade levels, including required or recommended supplemental materials.
  • Ensure qualified schools are nongovernmental primary or secondary schools or preschools for pupils with disabilities located in Arizona or within two miles of the border for students residing on Indian reservations.
  • Qualified schools must not discriminate based on race, color, or national origin.
  • Qualified students must be Arizona residents and meet specific eligibility criteria, such as having a disability, attending a low-performing school, or being part of specific groups (e.g., siblings of scholarship recipients, children of active-duty military members, etc.).
  • Kindergarten students enrolled in Arizona online instruction must log 100 hours of instruction to be eligible.
  • Students in grades 1-3 enrolled in Arizona online instruction must log 200 hours of instruction to be eligible.
  • Students in grades 4-6 enrolled in Arizona online instruction must log 250 hours of instruction to be eligible.
  • Students in grades 7-8 enrolled in Arizona online instruction must log 275 hours of instruction to be eligible.
  • High school students enrolled in Arizona online instruction must log 250 hours of instruction to be eligible.
  • Students must have attended a governmental primary or secondary school for at least 45 days in the current or prior fiscal year to qualify for an empowerment scholarship account, unless exempted.
  • Students who previously participated in an Arizona empowerment scholarship account are eligible.
  • Students who received a scholarship under section 43-1505 and attended a governmental school for at least 90 days or one full semester are eligible.
  • Students who attended a nonpublic school for pupils with disabilities in the prior year, with placement approved by the department of education, are eligible.
  • Students who are eligible to enroll in kindergarten or a preschool program for children with disabilities, meeting specific age and enrollment criteria, are eligible.

Common mistakes

  • Failing to submit an annual education plan: Parents may neglect to develop and submit the required individualized evaluation and annual reviews for their qualified student, as outlined in the statute.
  • Misunderstanding eligibility requirements: Families may incorrectly assume their child qualifies as a 'qualified student' without meeting the specific criteria, such as prior attendance at a public school or specific disability designations.
  • Not maintaining proper documentation: Parents may fail to keep records of curriculum, logged instructional hours, or other required documentation to demonstrate compliance with the statute.
  • Enrolling in an unqualified school: Families may mistakenly enroll their child in a school that does not meet the definition of a 'qualified school,' such as one that is not located in Arizona or does not meet the non-discrimination requirements.
  • Neglecting to track instructional hours for online instruction: Parents of students enrolled in Arizona online instruction may not track or meet the required number of logged instructional hours for their child's grade level, leading to non-compliance.

Last updated May 26, 2026 · Official source →

ARS-15-802 — ARS-15-802

If you are homeschooling in Arizona, this statute requires you to file an **Affidavit of Intent** with your county school superintendent within 30 days of starting homeschooling. This affidavit includes basic information about your child (name, date of birth, address, and your contact details). Once filed, you don't need to submit it again unless you stop homeschooling and later resume. The law also reassures you that homeschooling is a valid and recognized option for fulfilling Arizona's education requirements for children aged 6 to 16.

For families: Congratulations on starting your homeschooling journey! In Arizona, homeschooling is a manageable and rewarding option. To comply with the law, you'll need to file an **Affidavit of Intent** with your county school superintendent within 30 days of beginning homeschooling. This form includes basic information like your child's name, date of birth, and your contact details. Once filed, you’re all set unless you stop and later resume homeschooling, in which case you’ll simply file again. Remember, you’re not alone, and this process is straightforward—you're already taking wonderful steps to provide your child with a personalized education!

Key requirements

  • Provide instruction in reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science for children aged six to sixteen.
  • Choose a public, private, charter school, homeschool, or an empowerment scholarship account for the child's education.
  • If the child attends a public, private, or charter school, enroll the child and ensure attendance for the full school session.
  • Provide verifiable documentation of residency in Arizona for enrollment in a public or charter school.
  • Ensure attendance for at least 180 or 200 school days (or equivalent) if the school operates year-round.
  • If the child attends a private school or homeschool, file an affidavit of intent with the county school superintendent.
  • Include the child's name, date of birth, school address, and custodians' contact information in the affidavit of intent.
  • File an affidavit of intent within 30 days of starting private school or homeschool instruction.
  • Notify the county school superintendent within 30 days if private school or homeschool instruction is terminated.
  • File a new affidavit of intent within 30 days if private school or homeschool instruction is resumed.
  • If the child is under eight years old and homeschool instruction is delayed, file an affidavit of intent stating the intent to delay instruction.
  • A parent or custodian is excused from school instruction requirements if the child has a physical or mental condition making instruction impracticable.
  • A parent or custodian is excused if the child has completed the high school course of study for grade ten.
  • A parent or custodian is excused if the child has satisfactory reasons for nonattendance approved by the school principal or designee.
  • A parent or custodian is excused if the child is over 14 years old and lawfully employed with custodial consent.
  • A parent or custodian is excused if the child is enrolled in an approved work training or vocational program.
  • A parent or custodian is excused if the child is suspended without alternative education or expelled from public school.
  • A parent or custodian is excused if the child is enrolled in an education program provided by a state institution.
  • Failure to enroll a child in school, provide homeschool instruction, or sign an empowerment scholarship account contract is a class 3 misdemeanor.
  • Failure to file an affidavit of intent for homeschool instruction is a petty offense.

Common mistakes

  • Failing to file the affidavit of intent with the county school superintendent within 30 days of beginning homeschool instruction, as required by subsection B(2).
  • Not including all required information in the affidavit of intent, such as the child's name, date of birth, current address, and the names, telephone numbers, and addresses of the custodial parent(s) or guardian(s).
  • Neglecting to notify the county school superintendent within 30 days if homeschool instruction is terminated, as required by subsection C.
  • Misunderstanding the age requirements for filing the affidavit of intent, especially for children under eight years old who are not yet required to begin homeschool instruction, as outlined in subsection B(3).
  • Failing to provide instruction in the required subjects of reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science, as mandated in subsection A.

Last updated May 26, 2026 · Official source →

ARS-15-802-01 — ARS-15-802-01

This Arizona statute allows homeschooled children to try out for and participate in public school interscholastic activities (like sports or clubs) under the same rules as public school students, as long as they live in the school’s attendance area. Parents must provide written verification that their child is passing their courses and making satisfactory progress. If a child switches from a public, private, or charter school to homeschooling during the school year, they cannot participate in these activities until the next school year. This law ensures homeschooled students have fair access to extracurricular opportunities.

For families: Great news! In Arizona, your homeschooled child can participate in sports and other interscholastic activities at your local public school, just like enrolled students. To get started, you'll need to provide a simple written verification stating that your child is passing their courses and making progress. The school will apply the same policies, such as fees and behavior standards, to your child as they do for other students, so everything is fair and consistent. It may seem like a lot, but with a little organization, this is completely manageable—and it’s a wonderful way for your child to stay active and connected!

Key requirements

  • Allow homeschooled children residing within a public school's attendance area to try out for interscholastic activities at that public school.
  • Ensure registration, age eligibility, fees, insurance, transportation, physical condition, qualifications, responsibilities, event schedules, behavior standards, and performance policies for homeschooled students are consistent with those for enrolled students.
  • Require the primary instructor of a homeschooled child to submit written verification of the student's passing grades in each course or subject.
  • Require the primary instructor of a homeschooled child to submit written verification of the student's satisfactory progress toward advancement or promotion.
  • Prohibit homeschooled children who were previously enrolled in a public, private, or charter school from participating in interscholastic activities for the remainder of the school year during which they were enrolled.
  • Prohibit school districts from contracting with private entities that supervise interscholastic activities if those entities prohibit homeschooled children from participating in such activities.

Common mistakes

  • Failing to submit written verification of passing grades and satisfactory progress, as required by section A, which can result in ineligibility for interscholastic activities.
  • Attempting to participate in interscholastic activities during the same school year in which the child was previously enrolled in a public, private, or charter school, violating section B.
  • Not adhering to the same requirements as public school students for age eligibility, fees, insurance, transportation, physical condition, or behavior standards, as outlined in section A.
  • Misunderstanding or failing to comply with the attendance area requirement, which mandates that the child must reside within the attendance area of the public school where they wish to participate.
  • Assuming that private entities supervising interscholastic activities can impose additional restrictions on homeschooled students, contrary to section C.

Last updated May 26, 2026 · Official source →

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