Homeschooling in New York

Your options

Home instruction under 8 NYCRR 100.10 and Education Law 3204 (substantially equivalent instruction). Private (nonpublic) school is a separate option.

Notice or letter of intent

Give written notice of intent to the district superintendent by July 1 each year. This is annual. If starting home instruction or moving into the district mid-year, give notice within 14 days.

Our New York notice template (check it against the law before you send it).

Subjects, time, assessment and records

Subjects

Grades 1-6: arithmetic, reading, spelling, writing, English, geography, US history, science, health, music, visual arts and PE (plus bilingual education or ESL where needed). Grades 7-8 and 9-12 must cover set units of English, social studies, math, science, art, music, health, PE and more, per 100.10(e). Some topics are also required K-12, such as patriotism and citizenship, substance misuse, and highway and fire safety.

Days or hours

The substantial equivalent of 180 days. That is 900 hours a year for grades 1-6 and 990 hours for grades 7-12. Keep attendance records.

Testing or assessment

Annual assessment, filed with the 4th quarterly report. Use an approved norm-referenced test, where a score above the 33rd percentile or one year's growth passes. Alternatively, a written narrative by a certified teacher, peer panel or approved person: allowed in grades 1-3, and in grades 4-8 no more than every other year. A test is required in grades 9-12. Programs that fall short go on probation for up to 2 years.

Records

Attendance records, available to the district on request. File an IHIP within 4 weeks of receiving the regulation and IHIP form, or by August 15, whichever is later. File quarterly reports on the dates in the IHIP, covering hours, material covered, a grade or narrative per subject, and an explanation if under 80% was covered.

Parent qualifications

None. NYSED says state law requires no specific credentials, and a tutor may be used.

Other rules

The district sends the regulation and IHIP form within 10 business days of the notice. It approves the IHIP or notes deficiencies within 10 business days or by August 31. A revised IHIP is due within 15 days or by September 15. Instruction away from home must be in a building that meets local building code.

Official forms

No state form. Districts supply the IHIP form. Regulation: p12.nysed.gov/… ; Q&A: nysed.gov/…

The law

8 NYCRR 100.10; Education Law §§ 3204, 3205, 3602-c; 8 NYCRR 135.4(c)(7) – read the law

Who to contact

• New York State Education Department (NYSED) – Office of Religious and Independent School Support (ORISS), which lists Home Instruction among its topics[email protected] · 518-473-8202 (ORISS) / 518-474-3852 (NYSED general) · Official page · More from this officeWho handles notices: Local district (superintendent of the school district of residence); state NYSED sets the regulation

Special education and public school classes and sports

Parents may ask the district to evaluate for special education or Section 504. Section 3602-c dual enrollment is not generally available except for special education services. Interscholastic and intramural sports require enrollment (CR 135.4(c)(7), 135.1). Club activities and music are at district discretion, and part-time classes are not allowed. Facilities are available by agreement, and summer school is open to residents. No local or Regents diploma is available.

Federal rules on Child Find and evaluations apply in every state – see special education.

Going back to public school in New York

To enroll your child in a public school in New York, contact the enrollment or registration office of your local school district or public school. Ask how it decides grade placement and whether it accepts credits from homeschooling before your child starts, and bring the records you choose to share. We didn’t find a state rule on this for New York in the official sources we checked – see the New York official page and ask the district.

See going back to school after homeschooling for what to bring, placement, credits and special education.