Homeschooling in New York: a complete guide
Wondering how to homeschool in NY? Worry no more! Consider this guide your go to resource for starting strong and staying in line with New York’s detailed homeschooling laws.
Author
Kristy Howard
Published:
March 2025
Key takeaways
- • Homeschooling in New York is legal but highly regulated. You’ll need to submit paperwork, maintain records, and follow specific attendance rules.
- • Knowing how to start homeschooling in NY begins with filing a Notice of Intent and creating an IHIP (Individualized Home Instruction Plan).
- • With the right tools, support, and curriculum, homeschooling in New York is completely doable—and can be incredibly rewarding.
Homeschooling has grown steadily across the country, and New York is no exception. In recent years, thousands of students have been homeschooled in New York State. Families turn to homeschooling for a variety of reasons: flexibility, safety, personalized learning, and the chance to strengthen family bonds.
But if you’re wondering exactly how to homeschool in NY, you’ll quickly find that New York has some of the strictest regulations in the U.S. While this might sound intimidating, once you understand the steps, it becomes manageable—especially with the right resources and a solid plan.
I’m here to simplify the process for you!
Homeschooling in New York: how to get started
If you’re trying to figure out how to start homeschooling in NY, you have a few different paths to consider. Here’s an overview of common options:
- Parent-led homeschooling: This is the most common method. You, the parent, take full responsibility for your child’s education at home: lesson planning, choosing the best curriculum, and submitting all of the required documents (more on that soon).
- Enrolling in an umbrella or satellite school: These private programs usually offer curriculum guidance, testing support, and even handle some of the paperwork for you. They may also provide community events and enrichment classes, which can be helpful (especially in the early years).
- Hiring a certified private tutor: New York allows parents to hire a tutor who holds a valid New York State teaching certificate. This option can be useful if you prefer a professional to lead instruction or need support for certain subjects.
- Using online homeschool programs: Many families choose a hybrid approach, using online courses for some subjects while teaching others themselves. Online programs can offer self-paced instruction, grading, and interactive tools that make subjects like your math program much easier to manage at home.
Each of these options still requires the parent to follow New York’s homeschool laws, including: submitting a Notice of Intent, IHIP, quarterly reports, and assessments. The level of support you choose depends on your capacity, comfort level, and your child’s needs.
Table of contents
Homeschooling in New York: requirements and laws
Before diving into the specifics, many families want to know how to register for homeschool in NY. The process starts by sending a written Notice of Intent to your local school district. Once that’s submitted, you’ll follow up with your IHIP and continue with regular reporting throughout the year. It’s all part of staying compliant with state law and ensuring your homeschooling program is officially recognized.
Yes, homeschooling in New York involves paperwork—but once you get into a rhythm, it will become part of your routine. Here are the key legal components every homeschooling parent in NY needs to understand:
Notice of intent
To begin homeschooling, you’ll need to submit a written Notice of Intent to your local school district. This must be done by July 1st (or within 14 days of pulling your child from public school). This letter lets the school know that you intend to homeschool and gets the documentation process off to a start.
Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP)
After sending in your Notice of Intent, you’ll need to create and submit an IHIP within four weeks. Your IHIP should include: your child’s full name, current age, and grade level, along with a list of the subjects you’ll cover, the resources you plan to use, and a general outline of your educational goals.
You’re not expected to plan every single detail for the year in your IHIP! A broad overview of subjects and materials is enough to meet requirements. For example, if you plan to use a literature-based curriculum, listing the type of resources (e.g., “Living books, read-alouds, phonics programs”) is sufficient. Similarly, you can name broad math programs (like the ones listed here) as your mathematics.
If you choose to change materials mid-year, just note the change in your quarterly report. The IHIP isn’t locked—it’s a roadmap, not a contract, which is really nice. Many families find it easiest to draft a simple chart or table that shows each subject, the materials used, and a general goal or outcome for the year.
Record keeping
New York requires families to keep detailed documentation of homeschool instruction. This needs to include:
- Quarterly Reports: These should summarize the material you covered, the number of instructional hours completed, and your child’s academic progress. You will submit these reports to your district every quarter (four times a year).
- Annual Assessment: Alongside your final quarterly report, you’ll need to include a year-end evaluation. This can be written by a certified teacher, or the results of a norm-referenced test such as the CAT, depending on your child’s grade level and the district’s preference.
To stay organized, many families use a homeschool planner, spreadsheet, or even a digital calendar to track what’s being taught and learned. Some parents create a binder with lesson summaries, sample work, attendance logs, and test scores. If your school district requests a review or questions your quarterly reports, having this organized documentation will make the process much smoother. Remember to keep copies of everything you submit and consider backing up digital files to the cloud or an external drive.
Parent qualifications
You do not need to hold a teaching certificate to educate your own child at home in New York. Learning how to become a homeschool teacher in NY simply means becoming familiar with the legal process and taking on the responsibility of record keeping, instruction, and assessments.
Even though you don’t need a teaching degree, it’s important to recognize the level of commitment involved in home instruction. Parents must take on the role of educator, administrator, and sometimes even counselor. The key to success isn’t a formal credential—it’s a willingness to learn alongside your child, stay consistent, and engage with your local homeschool community when questions come up.
Attendance
The state of New York requires 180 days of instruction per year. That breaks down to:
- 900 hours/year for grades 1–6
- 990 hours/year for grades 7–12
Instructional time can be flexible and doesn’t need to follow a traditional school day schedule. Field trips, experiments, hands-on projects, and real-world learning experiences all count toward your time. Many families find that logging hours weekly or monthly makes it easier to keep up.
It’s helpful to keep a running log that includes each day of instruction, hours taught, and general topics covered. You don’t have to mimic a public school schedule—if your child learns better in the evening or on weekends, that’s totally okay!
Standardized tests
Starting in fourth grade, homeschooled students are required to complete a standardized test every other year, and annually in high school. You can choose from a list of approved assessments and administer the test at home or through a local homeschool group or test provider. Make sure to save your results and include them with your final report.
If you’re unsure which test to use, consult with your local homeschool group or district liaison. Some of the more commonly accepted tests include the New York State Testing Program (NYSTP), which covers grades 3-8; Regents Examinations (grades 9-12); Alternate Assessment (NYSAA), and English Language Proficiency Assessments (NYSESLAT/NYSITELL).
If standardized tests make you nervous, don’t fret! Results don’t need to be perfect—just demonstrate that your child is making appropriate academic progress. (If your child struggles with standardized testing, you can request to submit a written narrative assessment instead, especially in earlier grades).
Homeschooling in New York: curriculum requirements
When choosing your curriculum, New York law requires that certain subjects be taught at every grade level. These include:
- Arithmetic/mathematics
- English language arts
- Science
- Social studies (including geography and U.S. history)
- Health education
- Physical education
- Visual arts and music
- Practical arts
- Library skills
Some families prefer open-and-go curricula with daily lesson plans, while others choose unit studies that integrate multiple subjects into themed projects. If your child is hands-on, consider Montessori-inspired materials or project-based learning. Online learning platforms can also support independent learning, which is helpful for working parents or households with multiple children.
Don’t forget to include enrichment subjects like music, art, and physical education. These don’t have to be formal—playing an instrument, joining a sports team, or doing yoga at home all count. You can even log walks, hikes, and outdoor play as part of your PE hours.
When it comes to math help, platforms like DreamBox offer interactive lessons that adapt to your child’s level, helping to build both confidence and mastery.
Your curriculum doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Be sure to choose a program that fits your child’s learning style and your teaching comfort level. All educational expenses—including materials, books, and learning tools—are the responsibility of the homeschooling family.
Checklist: how to homeschool in NY
Here’s a simple checklist to help you keep it all organized and on track:
- Submit a written Notice of Intent to your local school district by July 1st (or within 14 days of withdrawing from public school).
- Prepare and file your IHIP within four weeks of sending in your notice of intent.
- Choose your curriculum and double check that they align with the required state subjects.
- Track your instruction (180 days; 900 or 990 hours, depending on the grade).
- Submit those quarterly reports (include progress summaries and hours of instruction).
- Complete a yearly assessment (narrative or standardized test, depending on the grade).
- Use a planner or binder to log your child’s completed work, grades, and reports.
Don’t forget to renew annually with a new Notice of Intent and IHIP for each school year.
Final thoughts
Understanding how to homeschool in NY may feel overwhelming at first, but once you break it down step-by-step, it becomes very manageable. The paperwork may be more involved than in other states, but many families find that the structure helps them stay on track.
Whether you’re just figuring out how to start homeschooling in NY or you’re already planning next year’s IHIP, remember: you’re not alone. There are thousands of families doing the same thing across the state—each making the choice to take control of their child’s education and create something truly meaningful.
Need support with academics? Check out our signature math program that adapts to your child’s needs and supports mastery at home.
Happy homeschooling!
FAQs about the Homeschooling in New York
No, unfortunately New York does not currently offer funding or reimbursements for homeschooling programs. All curriculum, supplies, and resources have to be paid for by the parent or guardian. You are responsible for providing your own resources and instructional support.
New York State requires homeschooling families to provide 180 days of instruction per school year. You’ll need to document instruction hours, and make sure they align with the hourly requirements based on your child’s grade level.
Yes, it is possible, but it’s also a bit complex. You’ll need to be a certified tutor, or operate under a private school program. This option should be carefully reviewed with legal counsel or a homeschool advocate to ensure you comply with New York state laws.
Schooling is mandatory in New York beginning in the year a child turns six. By that point, the parent must enroll the child in a registered school or submit homeschooling documentation to show that you’ve begun formal instruction.
Yes! Kindergarten isn’t mandatory in New York. You may choose to delay formal instruction until your child reaches the age for compulsory education (six years). However, once your child turns six, you must begin following homeschool regulations or enroll them in school.
About the Author
Kristy Howard
