Homeschooling in New Hampshire: How To Homeschool While Following State Laws

by Rita Onyx

This is meant to be a summary and NOT legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under.

Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular. Just in the last years alone, homeschooling rose up by 700%. What was once seen as old-fashioned and outdated is now a modern way to educate the next generation.

There are many benefits to homeschooling; it gives parents freedom in choosing the curriculums and subjects their children learn. Remote learning also ensures their children are kept safe, away from potential dangers like bullying or viruses in public schools. It’s a win-win situation.

Thinking of homeschooling your children too? Then follow this quick guide on how to homeschool your children if you live in New Hampshire. Know the New Hampshire homeschool state laws and regulations in your state so you can homeschool properly.

Quick Facts:

• There is one way to homeschool 

• Children between 6-18 of age must be in school 

• You MUST notify your local school district of your intentions

Requirements:

• There are NO teacher qualifications

• There ARE state mandated subjects 

• There ARE required assessments or testing 

• There are NO immunization requirements

How to Homeschool in New Hampshire

• Notify a “participating agency” that you intend to homeschool within 5 days of starting homeschooling

• A “participating agency” may be:

a) Superintendent of the local public school district

b) Principal of a nonpublic school

c) Commissioner of education

• Include the following subjects in your instruction:

1. Math
2. Language arts
3. Science
4. Government
5. History
6. Reading
7. Writing
8. Spelling
9. Health
10. History of the constitutions of New Hampshire and the U.S.
11. Art
12. Music

• Maintain good records of reading materials used and samples of work

• Have your child evaluated every year using the following:

1. Written evaluation of educational progress by a certified teacher or current nonpublic schoolteacher selected by the parent
2. National student achievement test with a composite score at or above the 40^th percentile
3. Another valid measurement tool mutually agreed upon by the parent and participating agency

• The evaluation results should not be submitted but used to help the evaluator and the parent build a plan

Helpful links:

http://nhhomeschooling.org/legal-requirements/

https://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/non-public-education/regulation-map/newhampshire.html

Where to Begin

Contact Information–State and Federal Departments of Education

• New Hampshire Department of Education
  Hugh J. Gallen State Office Park
  101 Pleasant St.
  Concord, NH 03301
  Phone: (603) 271-3759
  Toll-Free: (800) 339-9900
  Fax: (603) 271-1953
  Website: http://www.ed.state.nh.us

• U.S. Department of Education, New Hampshire

This is meant to be a summary and NOT legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under.