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🚀 How to Start Homeschooling in Arizona

The first steps for a Arizona family starting to homeschool: what to file, how to leave a public school, and where to find co-ops, classes and help — drawn from our Arizona guide and articles.

Homeschooling in Arizona: the basics

Ages and subjects: every child between 6 and 16 must attend a school and be taught at least reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies and science (A.R.S. § 15-802, A). A homeschool is "a nonpublic school conducted primarily by the parent, guardian or other person who has custody of the child or nonpublic instruction provided in the child's home" (§ 15-802, G).
The affidavit: file an affidavit of intent with the county school superintendent within 30 days after homeschooling begins. It lists the child's name, date of birth, the school's current address and the names, phone numbers and addresses of the people who have custody (§ 15-802, B and C). It is filed once and not again unless homeschooling stops and later resumes.
Proof of age: within 30 days after home instruction begins, give the county school superintendent a certified copy of the child's birth certificate or other reliable proof of identity and age (such as a baptismal certificate, an application for a Social Security number or original school registration records) with an affidavit explaining why the birth certificate isn't available (§ 15-828, B). Maricopa and Pima both require the affidavit to be notarized.
Where it goes: the school superintendent of the county where you live. Maricopa County takes affidavits online through its Homeschool Connect app, by mail to 4041 N. Central Ave., Suite 1100, Phoenix, or in person by appointment (with free notary service). Pima County has an online portal (Pima Homeschool Connect) and a printable affidavit, and returns a date-stamped copy as your proof of filing.
Starting later: if a child hasn't turned 8 by September 1 of the school year and the parent doesn't want to begin home instruction until age 8, the parent files an affidavit saying so (§ 15-802, B, 3).
No testing: the state testing law doesn't require testing of homeschooled children while they are homeschooled. A child who enrolls in a public school in kindergarten through grade 12 after homeschooling is tested to decide grade placement (§ 15-745).
Stopping or moving: tell the county school superintendent within 30 days after homeschooling ends, and file a new affidavit within 30 days if it resumes (§ 15-802, C).
Penalties: failing to file the affidavit is a petty offense; failing to provide any of the legal options is a class 3 misdemeanor (§ 15-802, E).
Not homeschooling: public charter schools and online public schools (Arizona online instruction), including programs taken at home, are public school. Maricopa and Pima ask families not to file a homeschool affidavit for a child enrolled in a virtual charter or other public-school-at-home program.

Read the full section in our Arizona guide

Official sources

Summarized from our Arizona guide (as of November 2026) and articles. Rules change — confirm on the official pages before you act.

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