How to Start Homeschooling in Alaska
If you’re interested in homeschooling in Alaska, you are in luck! The Last Frontier State regularly tops lists of best states to homeschool in for a number of reasons.
Part of what makes Alaska’s laws lenient is that there are several established paths to homeschooling in Alaska, which we’ll cover here. Once you’ve decided which path to take, you can begin homeschooling in Alaska with confidence!
Homeschooling in Alaska at a Glance
Alaska – The Last Frontier State
| Option | Homeschool Statute | Correspondence Program | Certified Tutor | Private School |
| Compulsory Attendance Age | 6-17 | 6-17 | 6-17 | 6-17 |
| Standardized Testing | None | Annually between grades 3-10 | None | Required in grades 4,6, and 8 |
| Subjects | None | At least 50% of curriculum in core courses | None | None |
| Time Requirements | None | Varies by program | None | 180 days |
| Graduation Requirements | Determined by parent | Determined by program | Determined by parent/instructor | Determined by parent/instructor |
| Special Requirements | None | Must follow policies of correspondence school | Instructor must be certified to teach in Alaska | Must register as a private school with ADEED |
| Financial Resources Available | Yes | Yes | Yes | May not accept federal or state funding |
Option 1: Alaska’s Homeschool Statute
Also known as “independent homeschooling,” the homeschool statute offers the most freedom to families. The only requirement is that the instructor (you) must be the child’s parent or legal guardian.
Option 2: Homeschooling With A Correspondence Program
Charter or public schools often run correspondence programs, allowing students to learn at home with district approval. Each correspondence program will have their own guidelines and systems, but generally, parents must:
- Have at least 50% of their child’s education focus on core classes
- Have standardized tests administered from 3rd to 10th grade
- Develop an “Independent Learning Plan” each year with the help of their program
- Work with a certified teacher who will provide guidance
- Follow all rules and policies set by their correspondence program
Option 3: Homeschooling With A Certified Tutor
If you wish to homeschool in Alaska with a certified tutor, the same guidelines detailed in Option 1 apply. The only requirement is that the tutor must be certified to teach in Alaska.
Option 4: Homeschooling As A Private School
If your homeschool includes students whom you are not the legal guardian of, you can homeschool as an exempt private school.
Before choosing this option, be sure to read the General Instructions document. This option requires you to submit several forms, including the following:
- Enrollment Reporting Form for School Districts (Form 05-17-022)
- Proposed School Calendar (Form 05-01-023)
- Exempt Religious & Other Private Schools Enrollment (Form 05-01-022)
- Corporal Punishment Policy (Form 05-01-021)
- Affidavit of Compliance (Form 05-01-020)
You must also keep attendance records and comply with standardized testing requirements.
Parent Qualifications
For homeschooling families who choose Option 1, the instructor must be the parent or legal guardian of the student.
For Option 3, the tutor must be certified to teach in the State of Alaska.
For options 2 and 4, there are no instructor qualifications to homeschool.
Notice of Intent
Only families who choose Option 4 need to provide notice. Parents must submit a private school enrollment report to the local school superintendent by the first day of school.
Attendance
Only Option 4 homeschoolers have attendance requirements. Families must:
- Submit a School Calendar form
- Keep attendance records
- Teach for a minimum of 180 days
For Option 2, attendance requirements will depend on your correspondence school’s policies.
For Options 1 and 3, there are no attendance requirements.
Homeschool Curriculum
Homeschoolers who choose options 1, 3, or 4 have no restrictions on what they teach or the curriculum they choose. It’s strongly recommended for Option 4 families to choose a curriculum that will prepare your students for testing.
For Option 2, students must have at least 50% of their education focus on these core classes:
- Math
- Language arts
- Social studies
- Science
- Foreign languages
- Technology
To ensure that your child receives an academically enriching education, you may want to look into Alaska homeschool programs with an accreditation status.
Accredited Homeschool Programs
Accredited homeschool programs must meet high standards of academic quality and rigor to maintain accreditation. The good news is, Miacademy’s online homeschool program is fully accredited by the ACS-WASC! When you homeschool with our program, you can be confident that your student is getting a great educational experience.
Testing
If you choose options 1 or 3, your student will be exempt from standardized testing.
For families who choose Option 2, you’ll most likely need to test your child annually between grades 3-10. Your student will take a total of seven different assessments during that time.
For Option 4, you’ll need to test your child in grades 4, 6, and 8, using a nationally normed standardized test.
Record Keeping
For Option 1, there are no requirements for record keeping. However, keeping a homeschool portfolio can be a good tool for monitoring your student’s progress.
If you choose Option 2 or 3, it is likely that your child’s instructor will handle record keeping and grading.
For Option 4, you must keep the following as permanent records:
- Immunization records
- Attendance records
- Courses taken
- Standardized test scores
- Academic achievement
- Physical exams
You can use the Affidavit of Compliance (Form 05-01-020) to certify that you are maintaining these records.
Transcripts
Transcripts are not a homeschool requirement but are often necessary for college applications. A transcript should list all courses, credit hours, and final grades earned from grades 9th-12th. You can make your own transcripts or use an online homeschool curriculum that helps keep track of these things for you.
Graduation Requirements
For options 1 and 3, there are no formal graduation requirements for homeschoolers in Alaska. Parents can decide when their students are ready to graduate and provide a high school diploma. Many homeschooling parents use Alaska’s state graduation requirements to ensure their high school student is prepared for graduation.
For Option 2, your student will need to follow any graduation requirements set by the correspondence program.
For Option 4, your private school can create its own graduation requirements.
Financial Resources
The State of Alaska offers the IDEA Alaska Homeschool Allotment to help cover homeschool expenses. You must reside in the state and enroll in the IDEA correspondence program to be eligible.
Note: Private schools may not accept any form of state or federal funding.
Other Tips & Resources
For more information about homeschooling in Alaska, check out:
If you’re wondering whether Miacademy or MiaPrep would be the best homeschool curriculum for your family, feel free to reach out to our friendly customer service team!
Please keep in mind that the information provided is intended for research purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. To obtain accurate and comprehensive details on Alaska’s homeschool laws, we recommend consulting the official resources and guidelines provided by your state.
Information accurate as of: 05/17/2024. The information provided on this site is intended for research purposes only. Miaplaza is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outdated information, or for the results yielded through use of this information.