Homeschooling in New York: what the state requires
Parents file an annual notice of intent and an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) with the district superintendent, then submit quarterly reports and an annual assessment.
Checked October 1, 2026 against official New York sources. State page: NYSED Office of Religious and Independent Schools — Home Instruction Questions and Answers. Compulsory school age: 6 (turning 6 on or before December 1 starts that September) until 16; 17 in New York City.
Home instruction (8 NYCRR §100.10)
Parents file an annual notice of intent and an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) with the district superintendent, then submit quarterly reports and an annual assessment.
For every child
| Notice or registration | Required. By July 1 each school year, or within 14 days after starting home instruction mid-year — Written notice of intent to the superintendent of the public school district of residence each school year. District sends a copy of the regulation and IHIP form within 10 business days; parent submits the IHIP within four weeks of receipt or by August 15, whichever is later. District reviews within 10 business days or by August 31; revisions due within 15 days or by September 15; final determination within 15 days or by September 30. |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | arithmetic, reading, spelling, writing, the English language, geography, United States history, science, health education, music, visual arts, physical education, bilingual education and/or English as a second language where needed — List above is grades 1-6. Grades 7-8: English (two units), history and geography (two units), science (two units), mathematics (two units), physical education and health education (on a regular basis), art (one-half unit), music (one-half unit), practical arts and library skills (on a regular basis). Grades 9-12: English (four units), social studies (four units, incl. one unit American history, one-half unit participation in government, one-half unit economics), mathematics (two units), science (two units), art and/or music (one unit), health education (one-half unit), physical education (two units), three units of electives. All grades: 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. |
| Records | Required. Attendance records kept and available on request. Quarterly reports to the district on dates set in the IHIP: hours of instruction, description of material covered, grade or narrative evaluation of progress, and explanation if less than 80% of planned material was covered. |
| Teacher | Regulation requires instruction by a competent instructor but sets no specific credential for the parent. |
| Other | Immunization proof not required to receive home instruction; may be required to participate in testing or activities on school premises (see NYSED note on 2019 Public Health Law §2164 amendments). |
By grade
| Grade 1–6 | 180 days and 900 hours a year |
|---|---|
| Grade 7–12 | 180 days and 990 hours a year |
900 hours per year for grades 1-6; 990 hours per year for grades 7-12.
Testing or evaluation in grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, grade 6, grade 7, grade 8, grade 9, grade 10, grade 11 and grade 12. Annual assessment filed with the fourth quarterly report. Options: standardized achievement test from the approved list (Iowa, California, Stanford, Comprehensive, Metropolitan, or other state-approved) or, for grades 1-3, a written narrative by a certified teacher, peer review panel or superintendent-approved person; for grades 4-8 a narrative may be used no more often than every other year (standardized test otherwise); grades 9-12 must use a standardized test. Adequate if composite score is above the 33rd percentile on national norms or shows one academic year of growth; otherwise the program is placed on probation with a remediation plan.
Subjects by grade: List above is grades 1-6. Grades 7-8: English (two units), history and geography (two units), science (two units), mathematics (two units), physical education and health education (on a regular basis), art (one-half unit), music (one-half unit), practical arts and library skills (on a regular basis). Grades 9-12: English (four units), social studies (four units, incl. one unit American history, one-half unit participation in government, one-half unit economics), mathematics (two units), science (two units), art and/or music (one unit), health education (one-half unit), physical education (two units), three units of electives. All grades: 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.
High school and graduation
Home-instructed students do not receive a public school diploma. A student past compulsory age who completed a compliant program may request a written attestation from the district superintendent; Regents exams and the high school equivalency (GED) are other options.
Official sources:
Not confirmed on an official state page yet: §100.10 read from NYSED's p12 copy (no revision date shown); not checked against the official NYCRR compilation. NYSED notes its Q&A page has not been updated for 2019 Public Health Law amendments.
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.
| English | 4.0 |
| Mathematics | 3.0 |
| Science | 3.0 |
| Social Studies | 4.0 |
| Foreign Language World Languages 1 | 1.0 |
| Fine Arts Arts 1 | 1.0 |
| Physical Education & Health Health 0.5; Physical Education 2 | 2.5 |
| Electives | 3.5 |
| Total | 22.0 |
|---|
Regents Diploma (NYSED summary, May 2025): 22 units of credit plus 4 Regents exams (English, math, science, social studies) at 65 or better and one pathway option (e.g. additional exam, CTE, Seal of Civic Readiness).
Source: NYSED — New York State Diploma/Credential Requirements, May 2025
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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