Notice of Intent to Homeschool in Arkansas - Information
In Arkansas, if you homeschool your child, you must submit a "Notice of Intent to Home School" to your local school district each year. This serves as a registration form for homeschooling, and once it is submitted, parents become responsible for their children's entire education, including the expenses associated with their curriculum.
Parents may complete the NOI form online or on paper
June 15 is the first day the NOI form will be accepted for the upcoming school year. All forms submitted before this date will be processed for the preceding school year.
August 15 is the deadline for the NOI form to be submitted for the upcoming school year. NOI forms submitted after this date for a student currently enrolled in public school will be subject to a waiting period of 5 school days before releasing the student to be home-schooled. The superintendent or local school district board has the authority to waive this waiting period upon request.
December 15 is the deadline to begin homeschooling the second semester, or anytime during the year (with a required 14-day waiting period). Your Superintendent or local School Board has the authority to waive the 14-day waiting period. If you just moved into the state or district, these forms should be filed within thirty calendar days of establishing residency with the district. Whether delivered by hand, by mail, or online, these forms must arrive at your school district (not just be postmarked) by the deadline.
August 15 - Deadline to select the optional, one-time, state-funded PSAT (10th grade) or ACT (11th) test for college readiness purposes. Advanced Placement (AP) exams are also available, but you may be responsible for any fee(s) associated with the AP exam(s). Please contact the Home School Office if you have questions about these test options.
If your child is 5 years old on or before October 1st of the listing school year, you must either register them as a kindergartner or fill out a kindergarten waiver form. If you do the latter, you may wait until the next year to register them as a kindergartner or you may register them as a first grader (thereby skipping kindergarten, as completion of kindergarten is not a requirement under Arkansas law).
Don’t Panic
Completing & Submitting Forms
Review the parent user guide on the Department of Education website for detailed instructions on how to complete the form (electronic or paper). ‘
Note how the curriculum and study schedules are described simply. There is no need for excessive detail.
The “Educational Qualifications of Parent/Teacher(s)” has no bearing on whether or not you may teach your child. It is informational only.
If you move after submitting the form, it's important to notify both your old and new district of your new address.
Be sure to make and keep a copy of your Notice of Intent before submitting the original to the Superintendent if you are filing by paper.
Overall, you are only required to provide information as specified by Arkansas homeschool law.
All necessary forms can be found and completed at the Notice Of Intent To Homeschool portal on the Arkansas Department of Education website.
If you are homeschooling in Arkansas for the first time, forms can be submitted online or mailed to your local school district.