So You are Thinking About Home Educating . . .
Welcome to a new way of thinking and living, one that thousands of families have found to be very rewarding. This page is an introduction to the discovery of a new lifestyle. It is in no way intended to be comprehensive, but only a guide to point you down the path of the home education adventure.
Our goal is not to tell you what is right for your family, because what is right for one family may not be right for another family. We want to come alongside of you and share some of what we have learned and let you take it from there. The journey is worth the time and effort.
Get Started in 4 Easy Steps:
- Know the Alaska Law
- Withdraw Your Child From School
- Get Connected
- Explore Homeschooling
APHEA recommends and advocates for home education that is parent-directed, home-based, and privately-funded. While there are other “at home” options, homeschooling gives families the most freedom to create a customized education that focuses on the needs of the child. You can learn more about the differences between home education and homeschool program options here.
Should you homeschool this year?
APHEA is a bit biased on this topic. We firmly believe that parents are the best people to raise and educate their children. We know that homeschooling is successful and we believe that home education changes lives for the better. It can seem overwhelming, but we also know you can do it. Below are four easy steps to getting started and we have a wealth of additional information to share with you.
But, only a parent can decide if homeschooling is the correct choice. If you are looking for temporary, at-home education options but are unsure what is best for you, reach out to APHEA and ask questions about homeschooling in your area.
Quick Start Guide to Homeschooling in Alaska
Step One:
Know the State Law
We are not attorneys and we do not give legal advice. For more information, please read our legal disclaimer here.
ALASKA HOMESCHOOL LAW
We are blessed in Alaska to have laws that allow us to freely home educate our children.
Here’s what you need to know about the Homeschool Laws in Alaska:
- Compulsory school age is 7-16 years of age or when the student graduates.
- No Notice of Intent is required.
- No attendance records are required.
- No required subjects.
- No standardized testing required.
- No state or school district approval required.
Alaska offers publicly funded educational options for families with K-12 aged children. While these look and operate similar to home education, there are clear legal differences. READ MORE: HOME EDUCATION COMPARED TO HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMS?
Alaska homeschool families are not required to register with the state and do not have to do any testing or reporting. Alaska law does include an option for families to file as an exempt private school which requires reporting the enrollment of their students to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) by October 15th of every year and updating vaccination records for each student, each year, with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.
Step Two:
Withdraw Your Child From School
Is your child enrolled in a public or private school?
While homeschool families are not required to report to the state, families with children already in school do have to withdraw. It is expected the school will receive written notice from a parent when a student is transferred from public school to homeschool. Parents will want a copy of this signed document for their own records. CREATE YOUR WITHDRAW LETTER NOW
Step Three:
Get Connected
Since 1986, APHEA (Alaska Private and Home Educators Association) has been helping families new to homeschooling in Alaska. Our team is here to help answer your questions and help connect you with local resources.
Join APHEA
Your APHEA membership, APHEA event attendance, and donations support the work of a non-profit organization run by a volunteer board of directors and team. Since 1986, APHEA has worked to Encourage, Protect, and Serve Alaska homeschool families. JOIN APHEA TODAY
We’re social!
APHEA hosts a page for Alaska’s homeschool families on Facebook. We’re also on Instagram, and YouTube.
Step Four:
Explore!
Top Three Getting Started Links for New Families
