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New York Homeschool Information

—Homeschool In New York—

Homeschooling in New York

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Find Out What the State Says About Home Education

New York School Choice

Click above for general information on the school choice.

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New York Department of Education

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New York Homeschool

🔍 Why So Regulated?

New York is considered a high-regulation state—among the strictest in the country. While this ensures academic rigor, it makes homeschooling administratively heavy, especially for group learning settings

đź“Ś 1. Who & When

  • Compulsory school age runs from 6 to 16 (some districts extend to 17). In NYC, it’s through the year the child turns 17; children with special needs can continue to 21

  • Homeschooling also possible before age 6, though formal reporting generally starts if special education services are involved

📨 2. Notification

  • Parents must file a Letter of Intent (LOI) annually:

    • By July 1 before the school year, or

    • Within 14 days of beginning homeschooling mid-year 

đź“ť 3. Curriculum & Instruction

  • A single legal path exists—you can’t enroll as part‑time public but must meet state standards in required subjects 

  • Must teach state‑mandated subjects:

    • Grades 1–6: arithmetic, English, spelling, writing, geography, US history, science, health, music, art, PE, and more 

    • Grades 7–8: English, history, geography, science, math, PE, health, art, music, practical arts, library skills 

    • High school (9–12): English, social studies (U.S. history, government, economics), math, science, art/music, health, PE, plus three electives 

đź“Š 4. Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP)

  • Within 28 days of starting, parents submit an IHIP per child, outlining:

    • Curriculum, subjects, materials, instructional calendar, quarterly report dates, instructor(s) 

⏱️ 5. Instructional Time & Reporting

  • At least 180 days of instruction annually:

    • Grades 1–6: 900 hours total

    • Grades 7–12: 990 hours total

  • Submit quarterly progress reports: cover hours, materials used, learning outcomes; scheduled evenly, e.g., Nov 15, Jan 31, Apr 15, Jun 30 in NYC

âś… 6. Annual Assessment

  • Each year, students must complete an assessment:

    • Standardized test or narrative evaluation by a certified teacher 

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    👨‍🏫 7. Instructor Qualifications

    • No teacher certification is required—parents or competent instructors (like tutors) may teach

    • Tutors/groups can assist, but in-person instruction by others cannot exceed half of total instructional time; otherwise, the program may be regarded as a private school 

    🗂️ 8. Record‑Keeping

    • Maintain thorough records: LOI receipt, IHIP, quarterly reports, attendance logs, assessments 

    • The school district may request these records at any time.

    🧩 9. Other Considerations

    • No state diploma: homeschoolers must create a transcript, pursue a GED, or complete college credits 

    • Immunizations: Not required for homeschooling, unless the child participates in specific school events 

    • Special education: If a child has a disability, parents must apply by June 1 (or within 30 days after identification) to the Committee on Special Education (CSE) for services 

    • Group teaching limits: Co‑ops or microschools teaching jointly beyond allowed limits risk being classified as private schools and face stricter regulations 

    New York School K-12 School Choice

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    4. Microschools / Homeschool Co‑ops

    • Legally, NY restricts collaborative homeschooling—if a group model resembles an independent school, it may face regulatory challenges including requiring fire code compliance, staff credentials, etc.

    • These restrictions limit the growth of microschools or homeschool co‑ops in the state.

    5. Potential Federal Developments

    • A federal tax-credit scholarship proposal is in Congress. If passed, individuals could donate to scholarship-granting organizations and receive dollar-for-dollar federal tax credits, allowing scholarships to fund private school tuition or homeschooling expenses — with eligibility up to 300% of area median income

    • Such a national initiative could effectively introduce school-choice funding in states like New York that currently have none. Timing and details are still uncertain.

    New York K-12 Scholarship Summary

    Here’s a detailed guide on school choice and homeschooling in New York, including current funding options and potential developments:

    🎓 1. Public School Choice in New York

    • Traditional public schools: Open-enrollment policies allow students to attend public schools outside their zoned district, depending on district participation

    • Charter schools: 6% of students attend charter schools, which are publicly funded and tuition-free. If oversubscribed, entry is lottery-based .

    • Magnet schools: Special-focus public schools (e.g. arts, IB) also free and open statewide

    2. Private School Choice in New York

    • State-run scholarships or vouchers: None currently exist—New York does not offer state-funded private school choice programs

    • Private scholarships: Many independent schools collaborate with scholarship-granting organizations to offer aid (e.g., Children’s Scholarship Fund, Inner‑City Scholarship Fund)

    • Special education reimbursement: NYC families with disabilities may be eligible for tuition coverage for private placements if the public system can’t meet their child’s needs

    3. Homeschooling in New York

    • Legal requirements:

      • Submit annual Letter of Intent to your district superintendent (NYC families to the DOE) within 14 days of starting or by July 1

      • File an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) with quarterly reports and annual assessments

      • Teach required subjects (e.g., reading, physical education) and meet assessment standards

      • Group-based instruction is allowed for some subjects—but if most instruction is group-based, regulators may treat it as operating a school, which could trigger legal restrictions

    • Funding:

      • Homeschooling in NY is unsupported by state funding—materials, testing, etc., are all out-of-pocket .

      • No education savings accounts (ESAs), vouchers, or state tax credits currently allocated for homeschool families.

    Homeschool Resources for New York

    Homeschooling has been part of education for centuries. In earlier times, it was simple to begin without worrying about rules or oversight. Today, however, homeschooling regulations vary by state, and some families may find it more challenging to get started. That’s why NFC Academy provides helpful state-specific pages outlining homeschool laws—to guide and support you as you begin your journey.

    In areas with stricter requirements, having reliable support is important. Organizations like the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) offer valuable legal guidance and protection, helping families stay informed and confident. With the right tools and resources, homeschooling can be a rewarding and manageable experience, no matter where you live.

    Homeschool Legal Defense Association

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    Information on this page is intended for informational purposes for homeschool families in the specific state. The information supplied does not, nor is it intended to, provide specific legal advice. For specific legal advice, we recommend you consult an attorney.  Membership with Homeschool Legal Defense may provide legal information for your situation, but you may prefer a local private attorney to review your situation to provide specific legal advice.Â