Homeschool laws · State guide
Homeschooling in New York
New York requires a notice of intent, an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP), quarterly reports and an annual assessment filed with the school district.
New York at a glanceLevel: High
- Notice to the state
- Yes
- Send written notice of intent to the district superintendent; within 10 business days the district must send the regulations and an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) form (NYSED).
- Testing
- Yes
- A standardized test each year, or an alternative evaluation such as a written narrative where permitted (every other year in grades 4–8). Inadequate results place the program on probation (§100.10(h)).
- Record-keeping
- Required
- Submit an IHIP listing materials or a plan of instruction for each required subject, quarterly reports with hours of instruction, and an annual assessment; keep attendance records (NYSED Q&A).
- Immunization
- Required, no proof needed
- State law requires immunization for children ages 2 months to 18 (§2164(1)(b), (2)(a)), but homeschoolers need no immunization records. School enrollment requires proof or a medical exemption.
- Required subjects
- Yes, 1
- Subjects required by Education Law and 8 NYCRR §100.10 for the grade level, including physical education (full list not captured from a fetched source)
- Instruction time
- The substantial equivalent of 180 days per year; 900 hours annually for grades 1–6 and 990 hours for grades 7–12; hours per quarter documented on quarterly reports
- §100.10(f), (g)
- Compulsory school age
- 6 (if 6 by December 1) through the school year in which the child turns 16; districts may require unemployed minors to attend through the school year in which they turn 17
- Education Law §3205(1), (3)
Ways to homeschool here: Home instruction under 8 NYCRR §100.10 · Religious or independent (nonpublic) school
Choice Homeschool works hard to keep every state guide accurate and up to date, but laws change. If something here has changed or is missing, please let us know, ideally with a link to the official source, and we’ll recheck it.
Overview
NYSED explains that parents have the legal right to instruct their children at home and that the district must be assured instruction is given in required subjects. Districts may not require more information on the IHIP than the regulations require, may not require public school registration, and may require home visits only when a program is on probation, on three days’ written notice. Group tutoring for a majority of the program makes it a nonpublic school rather than home instruction.
Legal options
- Home instruction under 8 NYCRR §100.10
- Religious or independent (nonpublic) school
Requirements at a glance
- Notice: Written notice of intent to the school district superintendent. The district must reply within 10 business days with a copy of the home instruction regulations (8 NYCRR §100.10) and an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) form. (NYSED)
- Testing or assessment: Annual assessment under §100.10(h): a standardized achievement test, or an alternative evaluation (such as a written narrative) where permitted; NYSED says alternative forms may be used every other year in grades 4–8. A test composite at or below the 33rd percentile with less than one academic year’s growth, or a narrative finding inadequate progress, places the program on probation. (§100.10(h))
- Records: Submit an IHIP listing syllabi, curriculum materials, textbooks or a plan of instruction for each required subject; file quarterly reports (including total hours of instruction per quarter) and an annual assessment. Parents must keep attendance records. (NYSED Q&A)
- Subjects: Subjects required by Education Law and 8 NYCRR §100.10 for the grade level, including physical education (full list not captured from a fetched source)
- Instruction time: The substantial equivalent of 180 days per year; 900 hours annually for grades 1–6 and 990 hours for grades 7–12; hours per quarter documented on quarterly reports (§100.10(f), (g))
- Parent/teacher qualifications: No specific credentials required by state law (NYSED Q&A)
- Compulsory attendance ages: 6 (if 6 by December 1) through the school year in which the child turns 16; districts may require unemployed minors to attend through the school year in which they turn 17 (Education Law §3205(1), (3))
Sources
This page summarizes the statutes and official pages listed in the sources block, as read on the last-checked date. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm current requirements with your state or local education agency.