New York Homeschool Information

Homeschool families in New York State who choose to use an online accredited school as their primary method of instruction must still comply with state homeschooling regulations. Even if the chosen online program is fully accredited and provides curriculum, instruction, and assessments, the parent is legally recognized as the home instructor and remains responsible for all required submissions. This includes submitting a Notice of Intent to Homeschool by July 1 (or within 14 days if beginning mid-year), and an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) that outlines the subjects to be taught and materials to be used—this can include the online school’s curriculum and platform.

Families must ensure that the online program satisfies New York’s minimum instructional hour requirements—900 hours for grades 1–6 and 990 hours for grades 7–12, spread across at least 180 days. Additionally, quarterly reports must still be submitted by the parent to the local school district, even if the online school provides progress reports. These quarterly reports must detail the number of hours of instruction, topics covered, and a written evaluation or grades received. At the end of the year, parents must also submit an annual assessment, which can be a standardized test (administered in accordance with state rules) or a written narrative evaluation prepared by a certified teacher or another qualified individual.

Importantly, using an online accredited school does not exempt homeschool families from submitting documentation to their local school district. The parent must remain actively involved in oversight, documentation, and reporting, as New York State holds them accountable for compliance—not the online provider.