New York homeschool requirements
Overview
New York families give annual written notice to the school district, file an IHIP, submit quarterly reports and an annual assessment, and provide at least 180 days and 900 (grades 1-6) or 990 (grades 7-12) hours of instruction in required subjects.
Legal pathway: Home instruction under 8 NYCRR 100.10 with an annual Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) and quarterly reports.
Notification and registration
Written notice of intent to the superintendent of the district of residence by July 1 each year (or within 14 days of starting mid-year or moving in). The district then sends the regulation and an IHIP form; you return the completed IHIP within four weeks of receiving them, or by August 15, whichever is later.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Annual notice of intent | By July 1 (or within 14 days of starting/moving mid-year) |
| IHIP | Within 4 weeks of receiving the form, or by August 15, whichever is later |
| Quarterly reports | On the dates you set in your IHIP (evenly spaced) |
| Annual assessment | With the 4th quarterly report |
Who may teach: Instruction by a parent or person in parental relation, or others named in the IHIP; the regulation lists who will provide instruction in the IHIP.
Ages: Compulsory school-age children (see Education Law 3205).
Required subjects
- Grades 1-6: Arithmetic, reading, spelling, writing, the English language, geography, United States history, science, health education, music, visual arts, physical education, and bilingual/ESL where needed.
- Grades 7-8 (cumulative): English (2 units), history and geography (2), science (2), mathematics (2), physical education, health education, art (1/2), music (1/2), practical arts, library skills.
- Once in grades 1-8: U.S. history, New York State history, and the U.S. and New York State Constitutions.
- Grades K-12: Patriotism and citizenship; health education on alcohol, drug and tobacco misuse; highway safety and bicycle safety; fire and arson prevention and safety.
How our subjects line up
MathematicsRequired
Arithmetic (grades 1-6) and mathematics (grades 7-8) are required.
English Language Arts (Reading & Writing)Required
Reading, spelling, writing and the English language (grades 1-6); English (grades 7-8).
ScienceRequired
Science is required in grades 1-8.
History & Social StudiesRequired
Geography and U.S. history (grades 1-6); history and geography (grades 7-8); NYS history and constitutions at least once in grades 1-8.
Spanish (world language)Not listed
The required subjects this guide lists for New York do not include a world language. Spanish is an elective here; it can still count toward a broad, balanced program.
English as a Second LanguageRelated
Supports New York's English / language-arts requirement for children still learning English. It does not replace a full grade-level language arts course; use it alongside one.
Also required (outside the subjects we offer): Health education; Music; Visual arts; Physical education; Highway/bicycle safety; Fire and arson prevention; Grades 7-8: practical arts, library skills.
Instruction time: Substantial equivalent of 180 days; 900 hours per year for grades 1-6 and 990 hours per year for grades 7-12.
Testing and assessment
Annual assessment filed with the fourth quarterly report.
- Option A: a commercially published norm-referenced achievement test (e.g. Iowa Test of Basic Skills, California Achievement Test, Stanford Achievement Test, others approved by NYSED), given under one of the regulation's administration options. Adequate if the composite score is above the 33rd percentile on national norms (or the regulation's growth alternative).
- Option B (alternative evaluation): grades 1-3: a written narrative each year; grades 4-8: a written narrative no more often than every other school year; narrative must be by a NYS-certified teacher, a home instruction peer review panel or another person who interviewed the child and reviewed a portfolio.
- Grades 9-12: the regulation limits alternatives; see 100.10(h).
- Inadequate results place the program on probation (up to two years under 100.10(i)).
Record-keeping
Attendance records and quarterly reports.
- Records of attendance are maintained by the parent and made available to the district on request.
- Quarterly report: hours of instruction in the quarter; material covered in each IHIP subject; a grade or written narrative per subject; and a written explanation if less than 80% of planned material was covered in any subject.
New York homeschool checklist
Guidance only. Last verified 2026-10-26. Verify each step with the official sources below.
Notes and limits of this guide
- Report dates in plans are suggestions for a 36-week year; use the dates you actually list in your IHIP.
- Some districts (e.g. NYC) publish their own submission processes and suggested due dates; follow your district's instructions.
Official sources
Last verified 2026-10-26. Always check these pages for the current rules.