How to start homeschooling in Arizona
You have decided to homeschool, or you are close. The paperwork is smaller than it looks, and the first decision is the only one that matters this week: are you homeschooling on your own, or are you using an Empowerment Scholarship Account?
We are Home Is Our Sanctuary, a homeschool family in Maricopa, Arizona. We run expert-led programs at the Maricopa Library and Cultural Center, and we built a free app that reads the ESA handbook so you do not have to. This page is the answer we give new families who message us.
Do I have to file anything to homeschool in Arizona?
If you are homeschooling without an ESA, yes. Arizona requires the parent of a homeschooled child between ages 6 and 16 to file a notarized Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool with the county school superintendent within 30 days of starting.
If you are using an ESA, no. The ESA Parent Handbook says the ESA contract itself serves as proof that your child is being educated, and the parent of an ESA student must not file a homeschool affidavit. If you already filed one, the handbook says to contact your county superintendent for withdrawal instructions.
Which county do I file with?
Your own county superintendent's office. The City of Maricopa and Casa Grande are in Pinal County, so families there file with the Pinal County School Superintendent, not Maricopa County. Families in Phoenix, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Glendale, Peoria, Avondale, Surprise, and Anthem file with the Maricopa County School Superintendent, which uses an app called Homeschool Connect.
What is an ESA, in one paragraph?
An Empowerment Scholarship Account is state money, deposited quarterly into a ClassWallet account in your child's name, that you spend on their education instead of enrolling them in a district or charter school. The handbook says any kindergarten through 12th grade student who lives in Arizona and is eligible to attend public school qualifies. The amount depends on the state budget, your child's grade and disability status, and your school district; the handbook points to azed.gov ESA Funding for current figures, and we do not quote a number here because it changes. When you are ready to pay for a class, use our Arizona ESA class payment guide.
How do I apply for an ESA?
Gather three things first: your child's birth certificate (a color image showing all four corners), proof of Arizona residency (a full utility bill from the last 60 days is the easiest), and your driver's license or government ID. Then apply on the azed.gov ESA page. The handbook says applications are accepted July 1 through June 30 and that ADE issues an award letter within 30 days of a complete application, then a contract within 30 days of the award letter.
What am I agreeing to when I sign the ESA contract?
Three things, per the ESA handbook. You will spend part of the money each year on reading, grammar, math, social studies, and science. You will not enroll your child in a district or charter school while on the program. You will submit expenses and documentation through ClassWallet the way the handbook describes.
When does the money actually arrive?
The handbook's funding schedule: Quarter 1, July 1 to September 30, funds July 15 to 31. Quarter 2, October 1 to December 31, funds October 15 to 31. Quarter 3 funds January 15 to 31. Quarter 4 funds April 15 to 30. The quarter starting is not the same as the money being spendable. Do not schedule a class payment for the first week of a quarter.
What should I do the first week?
Pick the path above and file or apply. Join a local group so you are not doing this alone; ours is Arizona ESA Curriculum And Supplies: Home Is Our Sanctuary on Facebook. Then find one thing your child will look forward to each week. That is what keeps a new homeschool going, more than any curriculum choice.
If you want that one thing to be a class, ours meet in Maricopa: Spanish immersion, art, STEM, and LEGO Science with rock climbing in Gilbert. Enrollment is rolling, and we are an Arizona ESA ClassWallet vendor. See what is open on our homeschool programs page.
When you are ready to use ESA funds, follow our step by step guide to paying for homeschool classes with Arizona ESA.
Quick answers
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Take a look at what is open now and find the right fit for your family.