AR State Homeschool Organization
The Education Alliance is a division of Family Council that is based in Little Rock. Family Council was formed in 1989 and The Education Alliance was established in 1998. This is the largest state-wide homeschool organization and is also the contact organization with Home School Legal Defense Association.
AR Homeschool Law
Parents in Arkansas must file a notice of intent with their local school district by August 15th of each year. More information can be found on the Arkansas Department of Education website, the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, and also at The Education Alliance website.
AR Homeschool Events and Field Trip Destinations
Arkansas does not have a state homeschool convention. Watch for local conferences or a national homeschool convention in your region.
Book an educational field trip, a tour, or a program tailored for your group or take advantage of their many regularly scheduled events. The museum holds programs for all ages throughout the year.
Learn about the colorful history of aviation in Arkansas and American military conflicts through numerous displays of original artifacts and aviation memorabilia. The historic aircraft are unusual among museum exhibits because many of them still fly. Static displays at the museum range from the golden age of aviation to the jet age, including Vietnam-era Army helicopters and Navy carrier fighters. Guests get to climb inside and explore 3 different aircraft. Some special exhibits have take-home activities so families can continue learning when they get home!
The Museum of Discovery is Little Rock’s premier science and technology center. They fuel a passion for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math through fun, dynamic, interactive experiences.
In addition to field trips, the museum also hosts Family STEAM Nights.
Art Ventures is a non-profit charitable and educational organization dedicated to providing access to art for everyone. Art Ventures promotes the visual arts in Northwest Arkansas by actively collaborating with the community and encouraging education and public engagement in the arts.
Families enjoy the children’s exhibition and there are also virtual exhibitions you can enjoy from home! They are unique and run concurrently with in-person exhibitions. Check out their other videos on YouTube too.
Buffalo National River flows freely for 135 miles and is one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the lower 48 states. Once you arrive, prepare to journey from running rapids to quiet pools while surrounded by massive bluffs as you cruise through the Ozark Mountains down to the White River.
Buffalo National River offers spectacular hiking, paddling trips, night sky viewing in the park, pavilions, group campsites, and individual campsites available for reservation from March 15 to November 14. Buffalo National River does not charge an entry fee, but there are camping fees.
Buffalo National will be a great spot to view the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse!
Truly a diamond in the rough! This is one of the only places in the world where you can search for real diamonds in their original volcanic source right in Murfreesboro. Crater of Diamonds is a one-of-a-kind experience. Search the 37-acre field, the eroded surface of a volcanic crater, for a variety of rocks, minerals, and gemstones. Any rock or mineral you find is yours to keep! You may bring your own mining equipment to search with (no battery-operated or motor-driven mining tools allowed), or rent tools from the park.
At the park’s visitor center, you’ll view real, uncut diamonds, and interact with exhibits illustrating the area’s unique history and geology. At the Diamond Discovery Center, you learn more about rocks and minerals found at the park and how to search for diamonds using various techniques. Diamonds come in all colors of the rainbow: the three colors found here at the park are white, brown, and yellow. Amethyst, garnet, jasper, agate, quartz, and other rocks and minerals naturally occur here. Park staff will provide complimentary identification of rocks and minerals found at the park, as well as diamond mining demonstrations and other interpretive programs.
Golf Mountain Mini Golf offers two challenging 18-hole miniature golf courses with ADA or handicap accessibility, perfect for field trips and picnics under the outdoor pavilion. Golf Mountain has Wi-Fi, music over the 2 courses, a gas grill rental for a grill/cookout, and can be done without breaking the bank.
The courses have natural-rock waterfalls, fountains, and beautiful landscaping. It is a natural, rustic setting with trees and various gardens.
Ancient thermal springs, mountain views, incredible geology, forested hikes, and abundant creeks – all in the middle of town – make Hot Springs National Park a unique and beautiful destination. The grand architecture of the historic bathhouses is equally matched by the natural curiosities that have been drawing people here for hundreds of years.
This National Historic Landmark preserves the initial point from which all surveys of the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 originated. An elevated boardwalk above the surrounding swamp leads to the granite monument marking the survey’s starting point. Wayside exhibits tell the story of the Louisiana Purchase, the lowlands, and its native flora and fauna.
This 29,260-acre lake abounding in largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie welcomes your budding fishers. Boat lanes meander through submerged timber, marshes, and oxbow cutoffs making Millwood Lake an outstanding fishing destination. The marina offers gift items, groceries, bait, gas for sale, and rental fishing boats, canoes, and kayaks.
Birding is also popular at this Audubon-designated Important Bird Area with sightings of over 300 of the state’s 400 species on record. Nearby are picnic sites plus a self-guided walking trail and a bicycle trail.
The park features 45 campsites (27 Class AAA, 2 Class A, 13 Class B, and three primitive tent sites).
This 12-acre wooded site features plants native to Arkansas’ West Gulf Coastal Plain and exotic species including flowering camellias and azaleas. The arboretum offers marked, paved walking trails, a rental pavilion, a rental gazebo, restrooms, and parking.
Is homeschooling for you?
The community of homeschool families is diverse. One study reports that 41% of homeschool students are Hispanic, Black, Asian, or other non-White/non-Hispanic groups (2). Homeschoolers come from all faiths – Christians, Jews, Muslims, agnostics, atheists. Teaching parents have a range of formal education, from high school diplomas to graduate degrees, and cover the array of household incomes.
How do you homeschool?
While laws regulating home education vary from state to state, homeschooling IS legal in all 50 states. Many states offer more than one option. One of the first steps in your family’s homeschool journey is to become familiar with the laws in your state. Then the fun begins!
Click on your state below for resources on homeschool regulations, state homeschool organizations, homeschool conventions in your area (here’s why these are amazing for new and experienced homeschool parents), as well as other homeschool perks in your state.
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Disclaimer: Please note that the information on this page is provided for your convenience as a research tool and resource as to where to find the information you need to homeschool in your state. The team at 3 Moms Blog are not attorneys. This content has not been reviewed by an attorney. It is not legal advice.
Brian D. Ray. (2017) A systematic review of the empirical research on selected aspects of homeschooling as a school choice, Journal of School Choice, 11:4, 604-621, accessed April 7, 2023 at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15582159.2017.1395638
US Department of Education. (2019) Homeschooling in the United States: Results from the 2012 and 2016 Parent and Family Involvement Survey (PFINHES: 2012 and 2016). Accessed 4/7/2023 at https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2020/2020001.pdf