Homeschooling in New Jersey: what the state requires
N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25 lets a parent cause a child to receive instruction equivalent to that in the public schools elsewhere than at school. The state sets no notice, curriculum, testing or record requirements.
Checked October 1, 2026 against official New Jersey sources. State page: New Jersey Department of Education — Frequently Asked Questions: Homeschooling. Compulsory school age: 6 to 16.
Equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school
N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25 lets a parent cause a child to receive instruction equivalent to that in the public schools elsewhere than at school. The state sets no notice, curriculum, testing or record requirements.
For every child
| Notice or registration | Not required. Notice is voluntary; NJDOE encourages parents to notify the local board of education. The FAQ notes written notice is expected only in limited cases (e.g. when a district refuses enrollment and the parent does not appeal, or when withdrawing a child from high school). |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | — Instruction must be 'equivalent' to public school instruction for children of similar grades and attainments; the law does not list subjects and does not require or authorize the local board to review or approve the curriculum. |
| Days | No minimum days specified. |
| Hours | No minimum hours specified. |
| Testing or evaluation | Not required. The local board is not required or authorized to test the child; no state or district standardized test is required. |
| Records | No records required by law; the board of education does not establish a record for the child. |
| Teacher | Parent is not required to be a certified teacher. |
By grade
Subjects by grade: Instruction must be 'equivalent' to public school instruction for children of similar grades and attainments; the law does not list subjects and does not require or authorize the local board to review or approve the curriculum.
High school and graduation
Homeschooled students do not receive a state-endorsed diploma from a district; NJDOE points to state-issued diploma routes such as the high school equivalency (GED) test or college credits.
Official sources:
- NJDOE — Frequently Asked Questions: Homeschooling (citing N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25)
- S280 (2026), showing current text of N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25
Not confirmed on an official state page yet: N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25 was not fetched from a standalone official statute page; its current text was confirmed from the NJDOE FAQ and from current-law language quoted in 2026 bill S280 (a pending bill, not enacted, that would lower the start age to 5).
High school: the public-school diploma as a guide
Optional for homeschools in most states, but the credit plan most colleges and employers recognize, and a sound default for a homeschool transcript. Shown in the subject areas this site uses (the state counts 5-credit years; shown here as year-long credits).
| English | 4.0 |
| Mathematics | 3.0 |
| Science | 3.0 |
| Social Studies Social studies 3; Financial, economic, business, and entrepreneurial literacy 0.5 | 3.5 |
| Foreign Language World languages 1 | 1.0 |
| Fine Arts Visual and performing arts 1 | 1.0 |
| Physical Education & Health Health, safety, and physical education 3 | 3.0 |
| Career & Technical | 1.0 |
| Electives remaining 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Total | 24.0 |
|---|
N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.1(a)1: at least 120 credits. Math includes algebra I, geometry and a third year; social studies includes 5 credits world history; health/safety/PE is 3 3/4 credits each year (15 over four years); technological literacy integrated. Students must also pass the ELA and math components of the State graduation proficiency test (or approved alternatives).
Source: N.J.A.C. 6A:8, Standards and Assessment
After graduation: what to plan for
Suggestions from Homeschool Corral, not state rules. Most families keep the college path open through 10th grade, then narrow.
- 4 English, 4 math (through Algebra II, pre-calculus if they can), 3–4 science with 2 labs, 3–4 social studies, 2–3 years of one foreign language, 1 fine arts
- A one-paragraph description for every high-school course; the parent signs the transcript and diploma
- PSAT in 10th and 11th; SAT or ACT by spring of 11th; dual credit, AP or CLEP where it fits
- A log of activities, service and work from 9th grade; two adults who can recommend them
- A Scholarship Finder profile by 11th grade; FAFSA when it opens in the fall of 12th
- A diploma and transcript with 4 English, 3 math, 3 science, 3 social studies; applied math every year
- Dual-credit career and technical courses in 11th–12th; OSHA 10 and first aid/CPR; a driver’s license
- Real projects and a part-time job logged as credits, with references; visit the union hall about pre-apprenticeships in 11th
- A parent-issued diploma and full transcript, signed and dated; recruiters ask for both
- Strong reading and arithmetic for the entrance test; a practice ASVAB in 11th
- Physical fitness as a logged course; service and leadership; for an academy or ROTC, the college list plus the SAT/ACT early
- The diploma and transcript anyway; personal finance and business basics as credits
- Work experience logged with hours and a reference from 10th grade; typing, spreadsheets, a clear email
- Keep the college path open: a foreign language and Algebra II cost little now
My Homeschool turns these into a checklist for each child, with the credits recorded in Transcripts counted against the plan.
This is a plain-English summary of the state’s official sources, checked on the date shown. It is not legal advice, and laws change. Read the linked official pages, and check with the state or your local school district if anything is unclear.
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