New Hampshire Homeschool Requirements

RSA §193-A:5(I) requires that 'any parent commencing a home education program for a child, for a child who withdraws from a public school, or for a child who moves into a school district shall notify the commissioner of the department of education, resident district superintendent, or principal of a nonpublic school of such within 5 business days of commencing the program.' The notification must include names, addresses, and birth dates of participating children under §193-A:5(II). If the family moves, a new notification is required. Termination notice must be filed within 15 days of ending the program.

RSA §193-A:4(I) defines home education as instruction that 'consists of instruction in science, mathematics, language, government, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, the history of the constitutions of New Hampshire and the United States, and an exposure to and appreciation of art and music.' The statute specifies 11 subject areas. Home education must be 'provided, coordinated, or directed by a parent for his or her own child' under §193-A:4(I).

RSA Chapter 193-A does not include minimum instructional time requirements for home education. Unlike some other states, New Hampshire does not mandate a specific number of hours per day or days per year. The focus is on subject coverage and annual evaluation rather than time spent. Administrative Rules Ed 315 govern procedural details but do not impose hourly requirements.

RSA §193-A:6(II) requires the parent to 'provide for an annual educational evaluation in which is documented the child's demonstration of educational progress at a level commensurate with the child's age, ability, and/or disability.' Acceptable methods are: (a) a certified teacher or nonpublic school teacher reviews the portfolio and discusses progress; (b) a national student achievement test; (c) a state student assessment used by the resident district; or (d) any other valid measurement tool mutually agreed upon by the parent and the commissioner, superintendent, or nonpublic school principal. Evaluation results shall not be used as a basis for terminating the home education program.

RSA §193-A:6(I) requires the parent to 'maintain a portfolio of records and materials relative to the home education program. The portfolio shall consist of a log which designates by title the reading materials used, and also samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the child. Such portfolio, which at all times remains the property of the parent, shall be preserved for 2 years from the date of the ending of the instruction.' The parent must also maintain a copy of the annual evaluation under §193-A:6(III).

RSA §193-A:4(I) states that home education 'shall be provided, coordinated, or directed by a parent for his or her own child' but imposes no credential, degree, or certification requirement on the parent. The annual evaluation may be conducted by a certified teacher selected by the parent, but there is no requirement that the parent instruct the child be certified. Administrative Rules Ed 315 do not add credential requirements.

RSA Chapter 193-A does not reference immunization requirements for home-educated students. New Hampshire's school immunization law (RSA §200:38) applies to students 'attending school'; home-educated children who are not enrolled in a public or private school are generally not subject to the school immunization mandate, though parents may choose to vaccinate. Health education is a required subject under §193-A:4.

The NH DOE website states that a parent is eligible to establish a home education program for a child 'including an "educationally disabled child" as defined under RSA 186-C:2,I' between ages 6 and 18. The DOE notes that public schools must have evaluation systems under IDEA's Child Find provisions, and home-educating parents may contact their resident district if they believe their child may benefit from special education resources. The evaluation results under §193-A:6 'may be used to demonstrate the child's academic proficiency in order to participate in public school programs.'

RSA §193-A:5(I) requires notification within 5 business days when a parent begins home education 'for a child who withdraws from a public school.' The NH DOE advises: 'If the student is currently enrolled in a public school, the parent must inform the school that their child is withdrawing from the public school.' Termination of the home education program requires written notice within 15 days under §193-A:5(III). Re-enrollment in public school is governed by district placement policies.

RSA §193:1 establishes compulsory attendance for children ages 6 through 18. The NH DOE confirms that a parent is eligible to establish a home education program 'for a child between 6 and 18 years of age.' RSA §193-A compliance satisfies the compulsory attendance requirement. Children who have not reached age 6 or who are 18 or older are not subject to compulsory attendance.

RSA §193-A governs completion: 'When the parent of a child under the age of 18 submits a document to the department certifying that the child has completed the home education program at the high school level the student shall be determined to have met the requirements for successful completion of a home education program.' The NH DOE states the law 'neither requires nor provides a secondary school completion credential.' Home-educated students may self-certify secondary school completion for federal student aid eligibility and can be admitted to higher education institutions through self-certification.

RSA §193:1-c provides access to public school programs for nonpublic and home-educated pupils. RSA §193-A:6(III)(a) states that evaluation results 'may be used to demonstrate the child's academic proficiency in order to participate in public school programs, and co-curricular activities which are defined as school district-sponsored and directed athletics, fine arts, and academic activities. Home educated students shall be subject to the same participation policy and eligibility conditions as apply to public school students.'