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Key Takeaways
- No required instructional hours or days in Idaho
- No mandatory record-keeping by law
- No attendance reports to state or district
- Best practice: keep simple records for your own planning and college/future applications
- Compulsory education applies ages 7-16 (you must educate, but not at specific times)
- Records are for your benefit, not for state compliance
The Core Truth: No Attendance Mandates in Idaho
When parents ask about Idaho homeschool attendance requirements, the answer is refreshingly simple: there are none.
Idaho Code § 33-202 establishes no:
- Minimum instructional hours
- Minimum school days
- Attendance calendar requirements
- Mandatory attendance records
- State reporting of attendance
This is radically different from states that mandate 180 days/year, 1,080 hours/year, or detailed daily attendance logs.
In Idaho, you are completely free to structure your school day, week, and year however you choose.
What About Compulsory Attendance Ages 7-16?
Idaho’s compulsory attendance law (§ 33-202) requires education for children ages 7-16. But “requirement to educate” doesn’t mean “requirement to follow a specific schedule.”
What You Must Do
- Provide instruction (homeschool counts)
- Cover core subjects (reading, math, science, social studies)
- Educate your child during the ages 7-16 window
What You Don’t Have to Do
- Follow a traditional school calendar
- Meet minimum hours or days
- Attend school at specific times
- Keep records for the state
- Report attendance to anyone
Can You Homeschool Year-Round?
Yes. You can:
- School 365 days a year
- School Monday-Friday with no breaks
- School only 100 days a year
- Combine intensive study periods with breaks
- Follow any schedule that works for your family
There is no “correct” attendance calendar. Some families follow traditional school calendars. Others school year-round. Some take long breaks for travel or projects. All are legal in Idaho.
Can You Homeschool Part-Time?
Yes. You can combine homeschool with other educational options:
- Dual enrollment: Your child attends some classes at public school, other classes at home
- Co-op attendance: Attend a co-op 1-2 days weekly, school at home other days
- Hybrid programs: Attend a hybrid school 2 days weekly, school at home 3 days
- Online school: Use an online curriculum delivered on your schedule
As long as your child receives instruction in the core four subjects, you have complete flexibility in how it’s delivered.
Record-Keeping: What Idaho Requires (Spoiler: Nothing)
Idaho has no mandatory record-keeping requirement.
The state doesn’t require you to:
- Keep attendance logs
- Grade work
- Document curriculum
- Maintain student files
- Report anything to the state
This freedom is intentional—Idaho treats homeschooling as a parental responsibility, not a state-monitored activity.
What Records Should You Keep Anyway?
While not required, successful homeschool families typically keep basic records for several practical reasons:
Reason #1: College Applications
Colleges want to see:
- Transcript (courses taken, grades earned, credits completed)
- Course descriptions (what was studied?)
- GPA (if you calculate it)
- Extracurriculars and community involvement
Without records, you’ll scramble to reconstruct this information during college applications.
Reason #2: Re-Enrollment in Public School
If your child re-enrolls in public school (high school, new state, etc.), the school wants:
- Transcripts
- Grades
- Evidence of course completion
- Standardized test scores (if any)
Documentation makes the transition smooth.
Reason #3: Future Opportunities
Your child might need transcripts for:
- Job applications
- Military service
- Trade school or apprenticeships
- Scholarship applications
- Dual enrollment at college
Reason #4: Your Own Peace of Mind
Tracking what your child has learned helps you:
- Plan the next year
- Assess progress
- Identify gaps
- Adjust curriculum as needed
What Records to Keep (Simple System)
You don’t need elaborate record-keeping. A simple system works fine:
Minimal Record-Keeping
- Course list: What did you study each year?
- Grades: What grade did your child earn in each course?
- Curriculum used: Which textbooks or programs?
- Dates: When did instruction occur?
Sample Record Card
“` 2025-2026 School Year – [Child’s Name]
Reading/Language Arts Curriculum: [Program name] Grade: A Credits: 1.0 Dates: Aug 2025 – June 2026
Mathematics Curriculum: [Program name] Grade: A- Credits: 1.0 Dates: Aug 2025 – June 2026
Science Curriculum: [Program name] Grade: B+ Credits: 1.0 Dates: Aug 2025 – June 2026
Social Studies Curriculum: [Program name] Grade: A Credits: 1.0 Dates: Aug 2025 – June 2026
Electives [Course name]: Grade [X] [Course name]: Grade [X] “`
That’s it. This simple record takes 15 minutes per year and provides everything you need.
Portfolio Approach (Alternative to Grades)
If you prefer not to assign grades, keep a portfolio instead:
Portfolio Contents
- Best writing samples
- Math problem sets (solved correctly)
- Science project photos or reports
- History essays or timelines
- Book lists and reading responses
- Project documentation
When your child applies to college or re-enrolls in school, a portfolio of actual work is powerful evidence of learning.
What If You Choose to Track Attendance?
Some homeschool families keep an attendance log for their own reference (not state compliance):
Simple Attendance Log
“` Month: January 2026
Week 1: Mon-Fri (5 days instruction) Week 2: Mon-Wed, Fri (4 days) — Thu off for trip Week 3: Mon-Fri (5 days) Week 4: Mon-Fri (5 days)
Total: 19 school days “`
This is optional but can help you feel confident your child is getting adequate instruction. Remember: Idaho has no minimum, so this is purely for your peace of mind.
Teaching Logs vs. Attendance Logs
Some families keep a teaching log rather than attendance log:
Teaching Log Example
“` Monday, January 5:
- Reading: Chapter 3 of [book]; comprehension questions (30 min)
- Math: Lesson 15 Saxon Math; 20 problems completed (45 min)
- Science: Watched geology video, answered questions (25 min)
- History: Read ch. 4 of American history text; timeline activity (30 min)
“`
Again, optional but helpful for tracking what was actually covered.
Grading: How to Create Your Own System
Since Idaho doesn’t mandate grades, you have complete freedom in grading:
Option 1: Letter Grades
- A = Excellent/Mastery
- B = Good/Proficient
- C = Satisfactory/Approaching proficiency
- D = Below grade level (if you use it)
- F = Not completed
Option 2: Percentage Grades
- 90-100 = A
- 80-89 = B
- 70-79 = C
- etc.
Option 3: Pass/Fail
- Pass = Demonstrated understanding
- Fail = Does not demonstrate understanding
- No percentage or letter grade
Option 4: Narrative Grades
- “Advanced: [Child] demonstrated mastery of [skill] ahead of grade level.”
- “Proficient: [Child] met the learning objectives for [course].”
- “Developing: [Child] is working toward proficiency in [skill].”
Choose whatever system makes sense for your family. Some families use letter grades. Others use narrative descriptions. Both are valid for homeschool records.
Creating Your Homeschool Transcript
When your child applies to college or needs a transcript, you create it based on your records:
Homeschool Transcript Template
“` [Child’s Name] [Homeschool Name or Your Name] [Address] [Phone/Email]
TRANSCRIPT School Years 2023-2026
Grade 9 (2023-2024) English I: A (1.0 credit) Algebra I: A- (1.0 credit) Biology: B+ (1.0 credit) World History: A (1.0 credit) Physical Education: A (0.5 credit) Total: 4.5 credits; GPA: 3.8
Grade 10 (2024-2025) English II: A (1.0 credit) Geometry: A (1.0 credit) Chemistry: A- (1.0 credit) U.S. History: A (1.0 credit) Spanish I: B+ (1.0 credit) [etc.]
Grade 11 (2025-2026) [courses and grades]
Cumulative GPA: [Your calculation]
Course Descriptions Available Upon Request “`
Most colleges accept this format readily. Some want more detail (course descriptions), which you provide separately.
Special Education Record-Keeping
If your child has special needs and you’re homeschooling:
Keep These Records
- Any evaluations from public school
- IEP (if you previously had one)
- Baseline testing data
- Progress monitoring documents
- Curriculum modifications you’ve made
- Therapy or tutoring records (if applicable)
These records help you track progress and are essential if your child ever re-enrolls in public school or needs services.
What to Do With Your Records
Organize Your Files
Create a binder or folder system with:
- Course records and grades
- Curriculum used (textbooks, websites, programs)
- Work samples (best writing, math problems, projects)
- Transcripts (as you create them)
- Standardized test scores (if you test)
- Extracurricular documentation (sports, clubs, service hours)
Keep Multiple Copies
- One copy for your family
- One copy in a safe location
- Digital backup (cloud storage or external drive)
Update Annually
Add to your records each year so you don’t forget details. A system updated monthly is better than trying to remember everything at year-end.
FAQ: Attendance and Records in Idaho
Q: How many hours per day do I need to school my child? A: Idaho has no requirement. Many families school 2-4 hours daily. Some school less. Some school more. It’s your choice.
Q: Do I need to keep attendance records? A: No, not legally. But keeping records helps with college applications and future planning.
Q: Can I take summer off and only school 10 months a year? A: Yes, completely legal in Idaho.
Q: What if I want to school year-round with lots of breaks? A: That’s fine. Idaho has no calendar mandate.
Q: Do I need to report my child’s attendance to the state? A: No. Idaho doesn’t track homeschool attendance.
Q: What happens if I don’t keep records? A: Nothing legally. But you’ll struggle if your child needs transcripts for college later.
Q: Can I use an honor system without grades? A: Yes, if you document what was learned.
The Bottom Line
Idaho’s freedom from attendance and record-keeping requirements is a major advantage. You’re not required to:
- Maintain specific hours
- Follow a specific calendar
- Keep records for the state
- Report anything
But you should keep basic records anyway—not for legal compliance, but for your child’s future opportunities. A simple system (curriculum list + grades/narrative descriptions) takes minimal time and provides everything you need.
Resources
- Homeschool Idaho (homeschoolidaho.org) — Community support and record-keeping ideas
- Your state’s college admissions offices — They’ll guide transcript requirements
- Your own preference — Keep records however makes sense for your family