Homeschooling in Alaska

Alaska's Four Homeschool Options

Alaska is one of the most homeschool-friendly states in the country. Under AS 14.30.010, children between the ages of 7 and 16 must attend school, but the state provides four distinct legal pathways for home education, each with its own regulatory level. This flexibility means you can find an approach that matches your family's philosophy and goals.

Option 1: Independent Homeschooling (Home Education Statute)

This is the simplest and most popular choice for Alaska homeschoolers. Under the home education exemption, the only requirement is that a parent or legal guardian provides a "bona fide education" to their child. That's it. There are:

• No notification requirements to the state or school district
• No mandatory subjects or curriculum standards
• No attendance or instructional hour minimums
• No testing or assessment requirements
• No teacher qualifications needed
• No recordkeeping mandates

The teaching parent must be the child's parent or legal guardian. While the state does not define what constitutes a "bona fide education," it is wise to maintain some records of your child's progress for your own benefit.

Option 2: Public School Correspondence Program

Alaska's correspondence study programs are operated by public school districts and offer a unique blend of homeschool freedom with institutional support. When you enroll through a correspondence program, you receive:

• An annual student allotment (up to $2,700 per student for the 2025-26 school year through programs like IDEA) to cover curriculum, books, supplies, technology, tutoring, lessons, and other educational expenses
• Access to a certified teacher advisor for monthly contact and quarterly progress reviews
• An official public school diploma upon graduation

The trade-off is more oversight: you will need an annual education plan, and students must take standardized tests after grades 3 through 10. At least 50% of coursework must be in core subjects (math, language arts, social studies, science, world languages, and technology). Enrollment deadlines matter here; for the 2025-26 year, the state cutoff for allotment funding was October 24, 2025.

Option 3: Private Tutor

Under this option, a child may be tutored by a state-certified teacher who provides instruction "comparable to that offered by public schools in the area." There are no notification, attendance, recordkeeping, or assessment requirements beyond the teacher holding valid certification. This option is less common but can work well if you hire a certified educator.

Option 4: Private or Religious School

You can operate your homeschool as an exempt private or religious school. This option carries the most requirements:

• Annual notice to the state
• 180 days of instruction comparable to public schools
• Attendance and immunization records must be maintained
• Standardized testing after grades 4, 6, and 8 (though scores do not need to be submitted to the state)

Most families choose Option 1 or Option 2 for their simplicity and flexibility. If you value maximum independence, Option 1 is hard to beat. If you want funding support and a diploma pathway, Option 2 through a correspondence program is the way to go.

Correspondence Program Allotments

Alaska stands out as one of the few states where homeschoolers can access direct public funding through correspondence study programs. For the 2025-26 school year, the IDEA Homeschool program provides:

• $2,700 per student (K-12) in annual allotment funds
• $300 per preschooler (age 4) for early learning materials

These allotment funds can be used for a wide range of educational expenses, including curriculum materials, textbooks, school supplies, technology, tutoring, music or activity lessons, and other items related to your child's education. The funds are typically reimbursed or spent on the family's behalf through the correspondence program.

Other correspondence programs such as PACE (Providing Accessible Community Education) and various district-run programs offer similar allotments, though exact amounts may vary.

Important Enrollment Deadlines

You must enroll in a correspondence program before the state's annual cutoff date to receive allotment funding. For the 2025-26 school year, that deadline was October 24, 2025. Plan ahead if you are considering this option for the following year.

Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program

Beginning in 2027, a new federal tax credit scholarship program will make scholarships available to eligible Alaska families making up to 300% of the state's median gross income. These funds can be applied toward tuition, fees, dual-enrollment courses, educational therapies, tutors, and supplies for private, charter, micro, and homeschool settings.

No State Tax Credits or ESA Programs

Outside of the correspondence allotment, Alaska does not currently offer a state-level education savings account (ESA), voucher program, or homeschool tax credit. However, you may deduct eligible educational expenses at the federal level through a Coverdell Education Savings Account (up to $2,000 per year) if you meet income requirements.