Homeschooling in Arkansas is simple and gives you a lot of freedom. You can choose your curriculum and teaching style. Just file a Notice of Intent and keep some basic records.
Arkansas is home to approximately 25,000 homeschooled students, making it one of the active homeschooling communities in the nation (NCES estimates, 2023). As of 2024, 12 states have enacted universal or near-universal Education Savings Account (ESA) programs, with Arizona's program alone serving over 75,000 students — making state-funded homeschooling more accessible than ever (EdChoice, 2024).
Arkansas homeschool requirements at a glance
Arkansas has one main way to homeschool: independent homeschooling. This makes it easy to follow the rules without any fuss.
Independent Homeschool: You just need to register with your local school district by filing an annual Notice of Intent. You get to choose everything—curriculum, schedule, teaching methods, and what you want to focus on. The law says you must teach reading, writing, and arithmetic, plus any other subjects you like. This gives you a lot of freedom!
The state doesn’t require testing, curriculum approval, or specific teaching hours. They trust you to provide a good education for your child. With the LEARNS Act funding available, Arkansas is a great place for homeschooling.
How to start homeschooling in Arkansas
To start homeschooling, file your Notice of Intent with your school district. Be sure to do this by August 15. After that, you can plan your curriculum and schedule as you see fit.
Record-keeping requirements
Arkansas doesn’t have strict record-keeping rules, but it’s smart to keep some documents. This helps if any questions come up later.
At a minimum, keep copies of your Notice of Intent. Many families also keep attendance records, curriculum details, work samples, and notes on educational activities. This is especially useful if you move to a stricter state, switch to public school, or need records for college.
There’s no specific format required. You can use a binder, a digital folder, or a planner. Just be consistent and document regularly.
High school, graduation & beyond
In Arkansas, you give your child their diploma. There’s no state-issued homeschool diploma, so you create it yourself. This is common in many states and doesn’t put your student at a disadvantage.
For college applications, focus on making a detailed transcript with courses, grades, and credits. Arkansas colleges, including those in the University of Arkansas system, actively look for homeschoolers and have easy admission processes.
Consider dual enrollment at local community colleges during your child’s junior and senior years. Many homeschoolers earn college credits this way, making their transition easier.
Sports and extracurricular access
Homeschoolers in Arkansas can join public school sports and activities through the Tim Tebow Act. Your child must live in the school district, meet age and academic requirements, and follow the same eligibility rules as other students.
If you’re interested in sports, contact your local school district’s athletic director early. Some districts have their own processes for homeschoolers. Many families also join homeschool sports leagues, co-ops, and other activities.
Financial assistance
Arkansas offers the LEARNS Act Education Savings Account program, which gives up to $6,672 each year per eligible student for homeschool expenses. This is one of the best funding programs in the country.
Eligibility is based on household income and other factors. The program is available to all students, with priority for certain groups. You can use the funds for curriculum, tutoring, educational tech, online courses, and more.
For details on how to apply and what expenses qualify, check out our Arkansas Homeschool Funding Guide.
The bottom line
Homeschooling in Arkansas is pretty straightforward. Just file your Notice of Intent, keep some basic records, and teach reading, writing, arithmetic, and any other subjects you want. That’s all you need to do to comply.
Everything else, like curriculum choices and schedules, is up to you. Arkansas gives homeschool families a lot of freedom with minimal oversight. The LEARNS Act ESA program also makes it a great option for families who qualify, helping cover costs for a quality education.
Start by submitting your Notice of Intent to your superintendent by August 15. You can adjust your approach as you learn what works best for your family.
