Requirements for Homeschooling in New York State
Did you know that in over 70% of New York’s school districts, the number of homeschooled students has tripled? Parents who choose homeschooling in NY are creating customized and meaningful learning experiences on their own terms while spending more time together as a family!
The homeschooling requirements in New York State are fairly strict, but don’t let that deter you! In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know to start homeschooling in NY!
Homeschooling in New York State at a Glance
New York- The Empire State
| Required Age | 6-16 (or 17, depending on district) |
| Standardized Testing | Required |
| Subjects | 18 subjects required over the K-12 period |
| Time Requirements | 900 hours for K-6th and 990 hours for 7th+, over a period of 180 days |
| Graduation Requirements | Determined by the State of New York |
| Special Requirements | Parents must file quarterly reports |
| Financial Resources Available | No |
Parent Qualifications
There are no parental qualifications or requirements for homeschooling in NY.
Notice of Intent
To start homeschooling in New York, you’ll need to file a written Notice of Intent. This must be done with your local school district superintendent within 14 days of withdrawing your child from school.
They will respond within 10 business days and provide you with the list of New York State homeschool regulations, as well as an individualized home instruction plan (IHIP) form to complete. Once you’ve received these forms, you will have four weeks to complete and submit them.
Attendance
Parents must teach for a minimum of 900 hours for grades K-6th or 990 hours for grades 7th through 12th. The hourly requirement must be spread over a minimum of 180 days.
Homeschool Curriculum
The State of New York has a lot of curriculum requirements, but don’t worry! We’ve broken it down by grade level groups for ease of use:
All Grades: K-12
Each year during grades K-12, students must learn about:
- Patriotism and citizenship
- Health education regarding alcohol, drug, and tobacco misuse
- Highway safety and traffic regulations, including bicycle safety
- Fire and arson prevention and safety (Education Law, sections 801, 804, 806 and 808)
Grades 1-6
During each school year for grades 1-6, students must learn about:
| Math | U.S. history |
| Reading | Science |
| Spelling | Health education |
| Writing | Physical education |
| The English language | Geography |
| Bilingual education and/or English as a second language (if necessary) |
Grades 7-8
Beginning in 7th grade, subject requirements are dictated by unit amounts. Units are cumulative through each grade level group (7-8 and 9-12). (NYS 100.10)
It may be helpful to think of each unit as two semesters: For example, you must teach the four core classes for four semesters total but art for only one semester.
| Subject | Units |
| English | 2 |
| History and geography | 2 |
| Science | 2 |
| Math | 2 |
| Art | ½ |
| Music | ½ |
| Physical education | On a regular basis |
| Health education | On a regular basis |
| Practical arts | On a regular basis |
| Library skills | On a regular basis |
Additional Courses, Grades 1-8
Students must study each of the following at least once during grades 1-8:
- United States history
- New York State history
- The Constitutions of the United States and New York State
Grades 9-12
| Subject | Units |
| English | 4 |
| Social studies (including 1 unit of American history and .5 unit each of participation in government and economics) | 4 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Math | 2 |
| Science | 2 |
| Physical education | 2 |
| Art and/or music | ½ |
| Health education | ½ |
Choosing an Accredited Homeschool Program
With so many homeschooling programs in NY, choosing the best homeschool curriculum can be hard! If you want to ensure your child is getting a great education, you may be interested in an accredited homeschool curriculum! Accredited online homeschool programs must meet high standards of academic quality and rigor to maintain accreditation. The good news is, Miacademy’s online homeschool curriculum is fully accredited by the ACS-WASC! This means, with Miacademy, you can be sure your child is getting a great educational experience.
Testing
New York’s homeschool laws exempt homeschooled students from taking the state exam. Instead, students must take an assessment or nationally normed standardized test of their parents’ choosing. These scores are submitted with the final quarterly report during testing years.
Testing requirements differ by grade level group:
- Grades 1-3: Standardized testing or an alternative form of evaluation, like a written narrative about their progress, is required yearly.
- Grades 4-8: Standardized testing is required at least every other year. An alternative form of evaluation may be used on the off years.
- Grades 9-12: Standardized testing is required yearly.
Record Keeping
The only item you must keep are attendance records. Parents must document the total number of instruction hours on each quarterly report. For secondary grades, the NYSED recommends including the hours spent per subject, in addition to the total.
While not required, other good items to keep in your homeschool portfolio include:
- A list of courses taken
- Final grades earned
- Test scores
- Documentation of extracurricular activities
- Copies of any school correspondence
Transcripts
While transcripts are not required, they are often necessary for college applications. Transcripts should include all courses taken, credit hours, and final grades earned in grades 9-12. You can make your own transcripts or choose a homeschool curriculum online that keeps track for you.
Graduation Requirements
New York is one of the few states that have graduation requirements for homeschooled students. To graduate, homeschoolers must complete all curriculum requirements for grades 9-12, as listed above. Parents are able to provide a homeschool diploma upon completion.
However, if your child is wanting to attend a post-secondary school in New York, their homeschool diploma may not be accepted. In this case, your student may:
- Request a “Letter of Substantial Equivalency” from your school district
- Take the GED exam to earn a high school equivalency diploma
- Take a specific sequence of 24 credit classes at a community college
Financial Resources
Unfortunately, there are no state-provided financial resources available for homeschoolers at this time.
Other Tips & Resources
For more information about homeschooling in New York State, check out:
If you’re wondering whether Miacademy or MiaPrep would be the best homeschool curriculum for your family, feel free to reach out to our friendly customer service team! They’ll be happy to help you find the answers you need.
Please keep in mind that the information provided is intended for research purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. To obtain accurate and comprehensive details on New York State homeschool laws, we recommend consulting the official resources and guidelines provided by your state. Additionally, staying informed about any changes to these laws is important, so be sure to look out for any updates.
FAQ
How do I start homeschooling in NY?
To homeschool in NY, you will need to:
- Submit a notice of intent and Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP)
- Teach the required subjects for at least 180 days (900 hours for K-6th, 990 for 7th+)
- Provide a standardized test for your child every other year, beginning in 4th grade, and annually beginning in 9th grade
- Submit attendance records, quarterly reports, and annual assessments as required
How many hours per quarter for homeschool in NY?
For K-6th grade students, you must teach for 225 hours per quarter. For 7th grade and above, this increases to 247.5 hours per quarter.
Information accurate as of: 05/13/2024. The information provided on this site is intended for research purposes only. Miaplaza is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outdated information, or for the results yielded through use of this information.