New York homeschool laws

New York is one of the most regulated homeschool states. Parents who are already home instructing at the start of the school year must file an annual notice of intent by July 1, then submit an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) by August 15 (or within four weeks of receipt), four quarterly reports, and an annual assessment. If you start home instruction or move into a district after the school year has begun, send your notice of intent within 14 days instead.

Expect ongoing requirements, which can include notices, hour or attendance logs, testing, portfolio reviews, or plan approval.

Note: Quarterly reports are due on the dates you pick in your IHIP, and the annual assessment is filed with the fourth one. Because those dates vary by family, they aren't offered as fixed calendar reminders. Required subjects differ by grade. Grades 1-6: arithmetic, reading, spelling, writing, English language, geography, U.S. history, science, health education, music, visual arts and physical education (plus bilingual education or ESL where the need is indicated). Grades 7-8: English, history and geography, science and mathematics (2 units each), art and music (one-half unit each), and, on a regular basis, physical education, health education, practical arts and library skills. Grades 9-12 (cumulative units): English 4; social studies 4; mathematics 2; science 2; art and/or music 1; health education one-half; physical education 2; electives 3 (a unit is 6,480 minutes of instruction per school year). In the first eight grades, U.S. history, New York State history and the U.S. and New York State Constitutions must each be taught at least once.

• July 1: Annual Notice of Intent to Homeschool

  For families already home instructing at the start of the school year. If you start or move in mid-year, you have 14 days instead.

• August 15: Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) due

  Due by August 15 or within four weeks of receiving the IHIP form from the district, whichever is later.

• Within 14 days of starting home instruction in the district.: Notice of intent for mid-year starts and moves

  Applies if you begin after the school year has started, or move into the district after it started. The district then sends you the IHIP form, and your IHIP is due within four weeks of receiving it.

• On or before the four dates you choose and list in your IHIP.: Quarterly reports (four per school year)

  Each report lists hours of instruction that quarter, material covered in each IHIP subject, a grade or written narrative per subject, and an explanation if less than 80 percent of the planned material was covered.

• Filed together with your fourth quarterly report, on the date set in your IHIP.: Annual assessment

  Either an approved norm-referenced achievement test or, where the regulation allows it for the grade, an alternative evaluation such as a written narrative by a qualified person.

• Arithmetic
• Reading
• Spelling
• Writing
• English language
• Geography
• United States history
• Science
• Health
• Music
• Visual arts
• Physical education
• Patriotism and citizenship
• Health education regarding alcohol, drug and tobacco misuse
• Highway safety and traffic regulations
• Fire and arson prevention and safety

• Grades 1-6: 900 hoursNew York also requires the substantial equivalent of 180 days of instruction each school year (July 1 to June 30).
• Grades 7-12: 990 hoursNew York also requires the substantial equivalent of 180 days of instruction each school year (July 1 to June 30).

Parents who are already home instructing at the start of the school year must file an annual notice of intent by July 1, then submit an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) by August 15 (or within four weeks of receipt), four quarterly reports, and an annual assessment.

Quarterly reports are due on the dates you pick in your IHIP, and the annual assessment is filed with the fourth one.

• Attendance records for each child, kept by the parent and made available to the school district on request.
• New York sets no other recordkeeping duty for parents, but it is wise to keep copies of your IHIP, quarterly reports, assessment results and correspondence with the district.

Yes. HomeStudyPath can pre-fill a draft of these filings from your family's records:

• Annual Notice of Intent to Homeschool
• Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) due

• New York state education agency (opens in a new tab)
• 8 NYCRR § 100.10 (home instruction regulations) (opens in a new tab)
• NYSED home instruction questions and answers (opens in a new tab)

Independent summary: HSLDA's New York page (opens in a new tab)