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 What was once seen as old-fashioned and outdated is now a modern way to educate the next generation.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 North Carolina. Know the North Carolina homeschool state laws and regulations in your state so you can homeschool properly.
Quick Facts:
- There is one way to homeschool
- Children between 7-16 of age must be in school
- You MUST notify your local school district of your intentions
Requirements:
- There ARE teacher qualifications
- There are NO state mandated subjects
- There ARE required assessments or testing
- There ARE immunization requirements
How to Homeschool in North Carolina
- Have an understanding of North Carolina law that defines a home school as a “nonpublic school consisting of the children of not more than two families or households, where the parents or legal guardians or members of either household determine the scope and sequence of academic instruction, provide academic instruction and determine additional sources of academic instruction.”
- Choose whether you want to operate your homeschool as a:
a) Qualified nonpublic school
b) Private religious school
c) School of religious charter
- (The requirements are the same regardless of what choice you choose)
- Notify the North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education once when starting to homeschool
- Include in the notice:
- Name of homeschool
- Address of homeschool
- Homeschool owner’s name
- Name of chief administrator
- Instructors must have at least a high school diploma or GED
- Instruction must be for at least 9 calendar months each year except for “reasonable holidays and vacations”
- Maintain records of attendance
- Keep updated immunization records
- Have your child evaluated every year with a standardized test
Helpful links:
https://ncadmin.nc.gov/public/home-school-information/home-school-requirements-recommendations
https://www.nche.com/helps/hs-faq/
https://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/non-public-education/regulation-map/northcarolina.html
Contact Information–State and Federal Departments of Education
- North Carolina Department of Administration
Division of Non-Public Education
1309 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1309
Website: http://www.ncdnpe.org
Phone: 919-733-4276
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
301 North Wilmington Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: 919-807-3300
Fax: 919-807-3445
Email: information@dpi.state.nc.us
Website: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/
- U.S. Department of Education, North Carolina