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Homeschool laws · New York

How to homeschool in New York

New York has the most paperwork of any state; put the July 1 and August 15 dates on your calendar.

Checked November 2026 against the HSLDA summary for New York. Laws change, so confirm with the source before you file.

New York requirements at a glance

Notice to the state or district

Yes, every year. A notice of intent to the district superintendent by July 1 each year (or within 14 days of starting mid-year), then an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) by August 15, and four quarterly reports.

Minimum school time

The equivalent of 180 days: 900 hours a year in grades 1–6 and 990 hours in grades 7–12.

Required subjects

A detailed list by grade band set in the regulation, including US and New York history, patriotism and citizenship, and health and safety topics.

Parent qualifications

A competent instructor.

Testing or evaluation

An annual assessment: grades 1–3 a narrative or a test, grades 4–8 a standardized test at least every other year, grades 9–12 a standardized test every year.

Records to keep

Attendance records, plus quarterly reports with hours, material covered and grades.

Compulsory school ages

6–16

Legal ways to homeschool in New York

  • Home instruction (8 NYCRR 100.10)

What to do, step by step

  1. 01

    File your notice

    A notice of intent to the district superintendent by July 1 each year (or within 14 days of starting mid-year), then an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) by August 15, and four quarterly reports.

    Write the letter of intent
  2. 02

    Plan 180 school days

    The equivalent of 180 days: 900 hours a year in grades 1–6 and 990 hours in grades 7–12. Pick your start date and breaks, and the calendar shows the exact day you reach 180 days.

    Plan the school year
  3. 03

    Track attendance as you go

    Records New York asks for: attendance records, plus quarterly reports with hours, material covered and grades. Even where nothing is required, a dated log protects you if you move, return to school or apply to college.

    Open the attendance tracker
  4. 04

    Plan the test or evaluation

    An annual assessment: grades 1–3 a narrative or a test, grades 4–8 a standardized test at least every other year, grades 9–12 a standardized test every year.

    Log test scores
  5. 05

    Keep everything in one place

    Attendance, report cards, reading and field trip logs, test scores and work samples, in the order an evaluator or a school district usually asks for them.

    See the Records Binder

New York homeschool questions

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

A notice of intent to the district superintendent by July 1 each year (or within 14 days of starting mid-year), then an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) by August 15, and four quarterly reports.

How many days do you have to homeschool in New York?

The equivalent of 180 days: 900 hours a year in grades 1–6 and 990 hours in grades 7–12.

What subjects are required in New York?

A detailed list by grade band set in the regulation, including US and New York history, patriotism and citizenship, and health and safety topics.

Does New York require testing for homeschoolers?

An annual assessment: grades 1–3 a narrative or a test, grades 4–8 a standardized test at least every other year, grades 9–12 a standardized test every year.

Do parents need a teaching certificate in New York?

A competent instructor.

Confirm before you file

This page summarizes the law in plain English and is not legal advice. Read the HSLDA legal summary for New York and your state’s own education department page, and compare all 50 states in our homeschool laws by state guide.

Homeschool laws in other states