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Homeschool Requirements in New York

New York's homeschool rules are detailed, but they're predictable once you see the calendar. Everything goes to your school district, not the state. Here's the whole year, step by step, in plain English.

Natalie Riggs

Homeschool mom of two and co-founder of Packet Day

✓ Last verified against nysed.gov and the official NYCRR

New York homeschool notices go to your district superintendent: by July 1 for the school year, or within 14 days of starting mid year.

The short answer ⚡

Yes. File a notice of intent with your school district by July 1, then an IHIP for each child, four quarterly reports, and an annual assessment. Keep attendance records and cover the required subjects and hours.

New York at a glance 📋

Notify the district
Yes
A notice of intent to your superintendent by July 1, or within 14 days of starting
IHIP
Yes
A plan for each child's required subjects, reviewed by your district
Quarterly reports
Yes
Four a year, on the dates in your IHIP
Annual assessment
Yes
A test, or a narrative in some years of grades 1 to 8, filed with your fourth report
Hours
Yes
900 a year in grades 1 to 6, 990 in grades 7 to 12 (about 180 days)
Teaching credential
Not required
NYSED: no specific credentials are required
Attendance records
Yes
Kept by you, shown to the district on request

Pick your path 🛤️

NYSED says parents have the legal right to teach their children at home. Two things to know about how home instruction works:

At home

1. Home instruction

You teach your child at home, or hire a tutor for all or part of the program. State law doesn't require any specific credentials, and online or correspondence materials still count as home instruction, so you still file an IHIP.

Good to know

2. Group classes are fine, in moderation

Your child can join group classes for particular subjects. If parents band together and hire a tutor for most of the program, NYSED treats that as a nonpublic school, not home instruction.

Your New York school year, step by step 🗓️

The school year for homeschool paperwork runs July 1 to June 30. Each deadline below counts from the step before it; where the regulation gives a calendar date too, whichever is later applies.

What goes in your IHIP

  • Your child's name, age and grade level
  • For each required subject: the syllabi, curriculum materials, textbooks or plan of instruction
  • Your quarterly report dates, spaced in even and logical periods
  • The names of the people providing instruction

  1. By July 1 each year, or within 14 days of starting mid year: send a written notice of intent to your district superintendent.

  2. Within 10 business days: the district sends you a copy of the regulation and an IHIP form for each child.

  3. Within 4 weeks of getting the form, or by August 15, whichever is later: submit your IHIP.

  4. Within 10 business days of getting your IHIP, or by August 31, whichever is later: the district accepts it or lists what's missing. Fix it within 15 days or by September 15, whichever is later; the district then decides within 15 days or by September 30, whichever is later.

  5. Four times a year, on the dates in your IHIP: file a quarterly report.

  6. With your fourth quarterly report: file the annual assessment.

What each quarterly report includes

  • Your hours of instruction for that quarter
  • A description of the material covered in each subject
  • Either a grade for each subject or a written narrative evaluating your child's progress
  • A written explanation if you covered less than 80 percent of the planned material in any subject

Your annual assessment options

  • A standardized test you pick from the regulation's list: Iowa Test of Basic Skills, California Achievement Test, Stanford Achievement Test, Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills, Metropolitan Achievement Test, a State Education Department test, or another test the department approves
  • A score is adequate with a composite above the 33rd percentile on national norms, or one academic year of growth
  • Or a written narrative: any year in grades 1 to 3, and no more often than every other year in grades 4 to 8. The regulation allows a narrative only in grades 1 to 8.
  • The narrative comes from a New York certified teacher, a home instruction peer group review panel, or another person who interviewed your child and reviewed a portfolio, chosen with the superintendent's consent

What the district can't ask for

  • IHIP information beyond what the regulation lists
  • Teaching credentials
  • Registering your child in the public school, or a meeting with school officials

If your child is placed on probation

  • Probation lasts up to two school years, with a remediation plan you write and the district reviews
  • Home visits are allowed only during probation, with three days' written notice

Source: 8 NYCRR §100.10 (official NYCRR))

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Records to keep 🗂️

New York requires you to keep attendance records. NYSED also recommends keeping a few more things, which make your quarterly reports and assessments easier.

  • Attendance records for each child, shown to the district on request
  • Evidence of your program like your IHIP and quarterly reportsRecommended
  • Your child's achievement like work samples and assessment resultsRecommended
  • Letters to and from your school districtRecommended

A binder with a tab for each quarter keeps all of it in one place.

Testing: what New York actually requires 🧪

New York requires an annual assessment, filed with your fourth quarterly report. You can use a standardized test from the regulation's list, or a written narrative in grades 1 to 3 (any year) and grades 4 to 8 (every other year).

A test score is adequate with a composite above the 33rd percentile on national norms, or one academic year of growth. State tests aren't required, though state tests that measure individual achievement can count.

What to teach 📚

The regulation sets subjects by grade band. You choose the materials, and the content can differ from your public school's as long as the subjects are covered.

  • Grades 1 to 6: arithmetic, reading, spelling, writing, English, geography, U.S. history, science, health education, music, visual arts, physical education, and bilingual education or English as a second language where needed
  • Grades 7 and 8 (over both years): English (2 units), history and geography (2), science (2), math (2), art (1/2), music (1/2), plus physical education, health, practical arts and library skills on a regular basis
  • At least once in grades 1 to 8: U.S. history, New York State history, and the U.S. and New York State Constitutions
  • Grades 9 to 12 (over four years): English (4 units), social studies (4, including 1 of American history, 1/2 participation in government and 1/2 economics), math (2), science (2), art and/or music (1), health (1/2), physical education (2), and 3 electives
  • K to 12 topics: patriotism and citizenship; alcohol, drug and tobacco misuse; highway safety and traffic rules, including bicycle safety; fire and arson prevention and safety
  • Health: includes AIDS instruction at least once in grades K to 6, once in 7 to 8, and once in 9 to 12 (NYSED)

In the regulation, a unit means 6,480 minutes of instruction per school year.

6 mistakes new New York homeschoolers make ⚠️

  1. 1. Missing the 14 day window when starting mid year.

    If you begin during the school year, your notice of intent is due within 14 days of starting.

  2. 2. Sending the IHIP late.

    It's due within 4 weeks of getting the district's form, or by August 15, whichever is later. If the district lists deficiencies, you have 15 days (or until September 15) to fix them.

  3. 3. Not tracking hours or coverage.

    Every quarterly report documents your hours for that quarter, and needs a written explanation if you covered less than 80 percent of the planned material in any subject.

  4. 4. Skipping health or physical education.

    Both run through every grade band, and health includes AIDS instruction at least once in grades K to 6, 7 to 8, and 9 to 12.

  5. 5. Not keeping attendance records.

    The regulation says they're maintained by the parent and made available to the district on request.

  6. 6. Assuming the district can ask for more.

    It can't require IHIP information beyond the regulation, teaching credentials, a meeting, or registering your child in the public school. Knowing that makes every exchange easier.

New York homeschool FAQ 💬

Do I need to notify anyone to homeschool in New York?

Yes. Send a written notice of intent to your school district superintendent by July 1 each year, or within 14 days of starting mid year. The district then has 10 business days to send you the home instruction regulation and an IHIP form for each child.

What is an IHIP?

An individualized home instruction plan. For each required subject, it lists the syllabi, curriculum materials, textbooks or plan of instruction you'll use, plus your quarterly report dates and who's teaching. It's due within 4 weeks of getting the district's form, or by August 15, whichever is later.

What goes in a New York quarterly report?

Four times a year, on the dates in your IHIP, you send the district a report with your hours of instruction that quarter, a description of the material covered in each subject, a grade or written narrative for each subject, and a written explanation if you covered under 80 percent of the plan.

Do New York homeschoolers have to take standardized tests?

Each year you file an annual assessment with your fourth quarterly report. It can be a standardized test from the regulation's list, or a written narrative: any year in grades 1 to 3, and every other year in grades 4 to 8. The regulation allows a narrative only in grades 1 to 8.

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in New York?

No. NYSED says "State law does not require any specific credentials for the person(s) providing home instruction," and the district can't demand them. The law asks for instruction by a competent teacher, in English, and you can hire a tutor for part or all of the program.

What subjects do I have to teach in New York?

The regulation sets subjects by grade band: grades 1 to 6, grades 7 and 8, and grades 9 to 12, plus topics across all grades like patriotism and citizenship, and highway and fire safety. Health and physical education run through every band. The What to teach section above has the full lists.

How many hours do New York homeschoolers need?

The regulation calls for the substantial equivalent of 180 days of instruction: 900 hours a year in grades 1 to 6, and 990 hours a year in grades 7 to 12. You can schedule it in a way that works for your family, and you track the hours on each quarterly report.

What happens if my child is placed on probation?

If an assessment doesn't show adequate progress, the program goes on probation for up to two school years. You write a remediation plan that the district reviews. During probation only, the district may require home visits with three days' written notice. Each child is evaluated separately.

Get your free New York checklist ✅

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We'll email you the checklist and occasional homeschool tips from Natalie. Unsubscribe anytime.

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Sources 📖

Last verified October 2026. Requirements are summarized from the sources above.

This page summarizes public information for general reference. It is not legal advice. Laws change; confirm current requirements with your school district, the New York State Education Department, or a qualified attorney before making decisions for your family.

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