Online Homeschooling in Arkansas | High School of America

Arkansas is a state that values and supports homeschooling as an alternative to traditional schooling. Homeschooling online is a popular choice for families in Arkansas who want to provide their children with a personalized and flexible education.

There are many online homeschooling programs available in Arkansas that offer high-quality education and a wide variety of courses and resources to meet the needs of each student. High School of America is a premier online high school in Arkansas that offers accredited online homeschool programs.

Whether you’re looking for a complete curriculum or individual courses, we provide an online homeschooling program in Arkansas that will meet your family’s needs. With experienced teachers and a commitment to excellence, High School of America provides students with an exceptional educational experience.

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Homeschooling Law in Arkansas

Parents can homeschool their students under the homeschool statute in Arkansas.

If you are considering homeschooling your child under the homeschool statute, you must seek personalized guidance if a registered sex offender is living in your home or if your child is facing disciplinary action in a public school.

Before starting a homeschool program in these circumstances, you should understand the legal implications and potential challenges.

Homeschooling in Arkansas under the homeschool statute

Annual notification to the local public school superintendent

As a homeschooling parent, you must inform the local public school superintendent annually by submitting a written notice of your intent to homeschool. This notification should be filed before August 15th. While there is no required format for the notice, it is advisable to use a reliable form to ensure that all the necessary information is included.

When submitting the annual notice of intent to homeschool, it should include the following information:

The child’s name, birthdate, gender, and grade level;
The name and address of the last school attended by the child (if any);
The mailing address of the homeschool;
A telephone number to contact the homeschooling parent;
A statement acknowledging that the parent is responsible for their child’s education while in the homeschool program;
An optional statement indicating if the child plans to participate in public school interscholastic activities;
An optional statement indicating if the child plans to obtain a GED;
The name and signature of the person providing the homeschool program.

You can submit the required notice electronically, by email, or in person. This information is confidential and will only be used for statistical and record-keeping purposes. As a parent, it’s essential to keep documentation of your submission to show that you complied with the law.

If your child is currently enrolled in public school, and you decide to homeschool them after the school year has begun, you must file the notice five days before withdrawing them from public school. Furthermore, if you move to a new school district during the school year, you must file in the new district within 30 days of establishing residency.

Before 2019, homeschool students in Arkansas were required to submit a notarized copy of their current notice of intent to homeschool when applying for a learner’s permit or driver’s license. However, this requirement has been changed by implication, and families are no longer required to notarize a notice of intent for a student seeking a driver’s license or permit.

In 2021, the Arkansas legislature changed the law regarding homeschooling. Previously, parents had to wait 14 days after submitting their notice of intent to homeschool before pulling their children out of public school.

No standardized tests are required.

Required Courses

There are no state mandated subjects.

Grades 9-12

The following are the required Arkansas high school course credits:

English language arts (4 credits)
Math (4 credits)
Science (3 credits)
Social students (3 credits)
Career development (6 credits)
Oral communication (0.5 credits)
Fine arts (0.5 credits)
Health and safety (0.5 credits)
Physical education (0.5 credits)

Attendance Requirements

The required schooling age in Arkansas states is 5-17 years. However, there Arkansas homeschool law doesn’t have a minimum age attendance requirement.

Annual Assessment

The homeschooling law doesn’t require homeschoolers to take part in standardized assessments. However, it is crucial for parents to use these assessments to track their students’ progress and discover gaps in their curriculum.

Record Keeping

The state of Arkansas doesn’t have a provision for homeschool record keeping. However, it’s important to keep records for every student containing the following:

Any standardized test scores.
Attendance records,
Samples of your students’ work, and
School district correspondence

Special Education Provisions

There are no additional requirements for children with special needs. Homeschooled students qualify for similar education services as school-going learners under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Homeschool Graduation Requirements in Arkansas

Parents who homeschool their children have the responsibility of issuing high school diplomas and determining the requirements for graduation. These requirements are often tailored to the educational goals of the student, which may be influenced by their post-high school plans.

If the student has a particular college or trade school in mind, it’s important for parents to research the eligibility guidelines for homeschooled students as early as possible in their education. This will allow them to design coursework that meets the requirements and prepares the student for their desired path.

How to Withdraw Your Child from School in Arkansas

If you want to homeschool your children in Arkansas, whether they are currently enrolled in a public or private school, you must first withdraw them from their current school.

To do this, you need to file the annual Notice of Intent to Homeschool at least 14 days before you plan to withdraw them. In some cases, the waiting period may be waived.

You should contact your child’s school to find out which forms or procedures they require for the withdrawal process. You may be able to withdraw your child by sending a certified letter to the school.

Switching from Homeschool to Public School in Arkansas

While homeschooling is a great option for education, not all families choose to homeschool their children from kindergarten until graduation. Many families make the decision on a yearly basis whether or not to continue homeschooling.

In Arkansas, the state law ensures that any credits earned during homeschooling can be transferred to public schools if the family decides to enroll their children in public schools later.

Additionally, the law guarantees the right of homeschoolers to be placed in the appropriate grade level and to be promoted to the next level at the end of the school year.

If a family chooses to enroll or re-enroll their child in public school after homeschooling, they will need to provide certain documents or information to the school.

The family needs to provide a transcript that lists the courses completed by the student and their corresponding grades.
They also need to submit a portfolio that showcases the student’s progress during their time being homeschooled.

In some cases, the public school may ask the family to provide a nationally-normed standardized test if the student hasn’t taken one recently. This may be required before the student can be admitted to the school.

If a student has been homeschooled and plans to graduate from a public high school, they must attend classes at the school for at least nine months before they can receive a diploma.

Frequently Asked Questions about Arkansas Homeschooling Online

How does homeschooling work in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, homeschooling is relatively easy and flexible. After filing a notice of intent to homeschool with the local school superintendent, families can choose their curriculum and teaching style to cater to their child’s learning needs.

Does Arkansas mandate state testing for homeschoolers?

Arkansas has no legal requirement for homeschooled students to take standardized tests. However, some parents may choose to administer these tests to assess their child’s progress and identify any knowledge gaps.

Is it necessary to file a notice of intent to homeschool in Arkansas?

Yes, parents who plan to homeschool their children in Arkansas are required by law to submit a Notice of Intent to the local school superintendent by August 15th each year.

Is homeschooling in Arkansas a simple process?

Yes, Arkansas is considered to be a homeschooling-friendly state with minimal requirements for families who choose to homeschool. This allows for greater flexibility and autonomy in tailoring a child’s education to their individual needs.

Online Homeschooling Statistics in Arkansas

According to the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI), approximately 3.7 million students in the United States were engaged in homeschooling during the 2020/2021 school year. The institute’s findings also indicate that between late March and early May of 2022, about 5.22% of all school-age children were homeschooled.

Arkansas is among the states in the United States experiencing an increase in the number of homeschooling families. For instance, in the academic year 2021-22, homeschooling accounted for 6% of K-12 students in Arkansas, surpassing the number of students attending private schools in the state. Certain regions within Arkansas, such as Eureka Springs and Searcy, reported even higher percentages, with rates reaching 20%.

How to Do it

Starting homeschooling online in Arkansas is a simple process that involves just a few steps.

Firstly, families must submit a notice of intent to homeschool by August 15 or at least two weeks before withdrawing their child from public school. This can be done either online, by mail, or in person at the local superintendent’s office.

Secondly, families must choose a curriculum that best suits their child’s educational needs and goals.

Once these steps are completed, families can begin their homeschooling journey and enjoy the flexibility and personalized learning opportunities that come with it.

Benefits of Homeschooling Online in Arkansas

Homeschooling online in Arkansas can offer several benefits for families. Here are some of the advantages of homeschooling online in Arkansas:

Personalization: Online homeschooling allows families to personalize their child’s education, tailoring the curriculum to their strengths and weaknesses. Online homeschooling programs often offer a variety of electives and enrichment opportunities to supplement core academic subjects.
Quality Instruction: Online homeschooling programs offer high-quality instruction and support from certified teachers. Parents can take an active role in their child’s education while receiving guidance and support from experienced educators.
Access to Technology: Online homeschooling requires access to a computer and internet connection, which provides students with access to digital resources and multimedia learning tools that may not be available in traditional classrooms.
Cost-effectiveness: Online homeschooling can be a cost-effective alternative to traditional schooling. Families can save on transportation costs, school supplies, and other expenses associated with attending a traditional school. Additionally, many online homeschooling programs are tuition-free or offer affordable tuition rates.
Flexibility: Online homeschooling allows families to create a customized schedule that works for them. Students can work at their own pace and on their schedule, which is particularly helpful for families with unique circumstances or students with outside interests or activities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, homeschooling online is a viable option for families in Arkansas seeking a flexible and personalized education for their children.

With the rise of technology and the availability of online resources, homeschooling has become an increasingly popular choice for parents.

Arkansas homeschooling law requires parents to submit a notice of intent to homeschool and maintain records of their child’s education. It also mandates homeschooled students to take standardized tests and meet specific academic requirements.