New Hampshire · Some paperwork

Homeschooling in New Hampshire

New Hampshire asks you to file a notice before you begin. Here is what goes in it, when it is due, and what happens after.

VerifiedMarch 2026

Notice of intentFile onceWritten notice of intent filed within 5 days of commencing a home education program, and within 5 days of moving to a new school district. Also notify within 15 days of terminating the program.

Yearly assessmentYes, each year

Instruction timeNo minimum set

RecordsKeep 2 years

How to start homeschooling in New Hampshire

Written from New Hampshire's own rules. If a step is missing below, it is because your state does not ask for it.

Withdraw from the school your child attends now
If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are moving to home education. Keep a dated copy for yourself — it is the record that closes out their enrollment.
Send your notice of intent
New Hampshire asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: Written notice of intent filed within 5 days of commencing a home education program, and within 5 days of moving to a new school district. Also notify within 15 days of terminating the program. This is a one-time filing — you will not repeat it each year. It goes to New Hampshire Department of Education / Participating Agency (local superintendent, nonpublic school principal, or state commissioner).
Cover the subjects the state names
New Hampshire names 12 subject areas to teach. How you teach them, in what order, and with which materials is entirely up to you.
Keep a light record as you go
Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. New Hampshire expects records to be kept for 2 years.
Plan the yearly assessment early
New Hampshire asks for an assessment each year. You can choose from: Written evaluation by a certified teacher or a teacher employed by a nonpublic school; Results of a national standardized achievement test; Results of a state student assessment test; Other valid measurement tool mutually agreed upon by the parent and the participating agency. Deciding in the autumn which route you will take saves a scramble in the spring.

Source: New Hampshire Department of Education / Participating Agency (local superintendent, nonpublic school principal, or state commissioner) — www.education.nh.gov/who-we-are/division-of-learner-support/bureau-of-instructional-support/home-education. Checked March 2026.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it: New Hampshire Department of Education / Participating Agency (local superintendent, nonpublic school principal, or state commissioner)
When it is due: Written notice of intent filed within 5 days of commencing a home education program, and within 5 days of moving to a new school district. Also notify within 15 days of terminating the program.
How often: Once, when you begin
Notarized?: No
Official form: www.education.nh.gov/who-we-are/division-of-learner-support/bureau-of-instructional-support/home-education
Ongoing reporting: None

Testing, portfolios and reviews

Assessment: Required each year
Ways to meet it: Written evaluation by a certified teacher or a teacher employed by a nonpublic school
Results of a national standardized achievement test
Results of a state student assessment test
Other valid measurement tool mutually agreed upon by the parent and the participating agency
Named tests: Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS)Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10)CAT/5 (California Achievement Test)Terra NovaNew Hampshire state assessment (NWEA MAP or successor)Any nationally normed standardized achievement test
Portfolio: A portfolio of your child's work must be kept and may be reviewed

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects: ScienceMathematicsLanguage (reading, writing, spelling)GovernmentHistoryHealthReadingWritingSpellingConstitutional History (New Hampshire and U.S.)Art (exposure)Music (exposure)
Instruction time: New Hampshire sets no minimum number of days or hours.
Who may teach: No teaching certificate, degree, or credential is required of you.
Keeping records: Keep your records for 2 years.
Legal routes: Single pathway (RSA 193-A): File notice of intent with a participating agency (superintendent, nonpublic school principal, or NH education commissioner). HSLDA recommends using a nonpublic school principal rather than the state commissioner. Provide annual evaluation (results kept by parent, not submitted unless requested). Maintain portfolio including reading logs, writing samples, worksheets, and creative materials for 2 years.

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Public school sports: NH RSA 193:1-c grants home-educated students the right to access curricular courses and cocurricular programs offered by the school district, including clubs, athletics, and performing groups. School districts may adopt participation policies, but these policies may not be more restrictive for homeschoolers than for enrolled public school students.
Dual enrollment: New Hampshire homeschoolers may enroll part-time in public school courses and cocurricular programs under RSA 193:1-c. Community college dual enrollment is available at institutional discretion; no statewide mandate. University System of New Hampshire campuses vary in policies.
Diplomas: New Hampshire public schools do not issue diplomas to homeschooled students unless they re-enroll. Parents whose children complete a high school-level program before age 18 should submit a completion certificate or letter to the NH Department of Education. Diplomas can also be earned through accredited correspondence or online programs.
College admissions: NH colleges (University System of NH, NHTI, Southern NH University) accept homeschool applicants. SAT/ACT scores strongly recommended. Parent transcripts with course descriptions are standard. University System of New Hampshire has clear homeschool application pathways.
Support for additional needs: New Hampshire homeschooled students retain limited rights. School districts must make Child Find evaluations available upon parental request, but ongoing FAPE services are not guaranteed once withdrawn from public school. RSA 186-C governs special education; some districts offer limited services based on proportionate share IDEA funding.

Money your family can claim in New Hampshire

Education Freedom Account (EFA)

Run by New Hampshire Department of Education, administered by the Children's Scholarship Fund NH · payments through Children's Scholarship Fund NH

The award amount is set by the program and changes from year to year. Check the official page below for this year's figure rather than an estimate.

How you get it: You choose a provider from the approved list, then submit the invoice to the Children's Scholarship Fund NH for payment.

Source: www.education.nh.gov/pathways-education/education-freedom-accounts. Checked July 26, 2026. Eligibility and application dates are set by the program — the official page is always the last word.

Questions parents ask about New Hampshire

Is homeschooling legal in New Hampshire?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in New Hampshire. New Hampshire has moderate homeschool regulation — some requirements apply but they are generally manageable. Koydo can track your compliance automatically.

Do I need to file a Notice of Intent to homeschool in New Hampshire?

Yes. New Hampshire requires families to file a Notice of Intent by Written notice of intent filed within 5 days of commencing a home education program, and within 5 days of moving to a new school district. Also notify within 15 days of terminating the program.. This is a one-time filing when you begin homeschooling.

How many instruction days are required in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire does not mandate a minimum amount of instruction time.

What subjects are required by law in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire requires instruction in the following subjects: Science, Mathematics, Language (reading, writing, spelling), Government, History, Health, Reading, Writing, Spelling, Constitutional History (New Hampshire and U.S.), Art (exposure), Music (exposure).

Does New Hampshire require annual assessment for homeschoolers?

Yes. New Hampshire requires annual assessment. Accepted methods include: Written evaluation by a certified teacher or a teacher employed by a nonpublic school, Results of a national standardized achievement test, Results of a state student assessment test, Other valid measurement tool mutually agreed upon by the parent and the participating agency.

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in New Hampshire?

No. New Hampshire does not require parents to hold a teaching certificate or any specific educational credential to homeschool their children.

Can homeschoolers participate in public school sports in New Hampshire?

Yes. New Hampshire has a law (sometimes called a "Tim Tebow" law) allowing homeschooled students to participate in public school extracurricular activities. NH RSA 193:1-c grants home-educated students the right to access curricular courses and cocurricular programs offered by the school district, including clubs, athletics, and performing groups. School districts may adopt participation policies, but these policies may not be more restrictive for homeschoolers than for enrolled public school students.

Worth knowing about New Hampshire

New Hampshire is a relatively low-burden state despite having an assessment requirement. Annual evaluations are kept by parents and not submitted to authorities unless specifically requested. The 2-year portfolio retention and subject requirements are the main ongoing obligations. The New Hampshire Home Educators Association (NHHEA) is a key resource. Choosing a nonpublic school principal as the participating agency is widely recommended to reduce state oversight. Compulsory ages: 6–18.

Who to ask in New Hampshire

Regulator: New Hampshire Department of Education / Participating Agency (local superintendent, nonpublic school principal, or state commissioner)
Official site: www.education.nh.gov/who-we-are/division-of-learner-support/bureau-of-instructional-support/home-education
Forms: www.education.nh.gov/who-we-are/division-of-learner-support/bureau-of-instructional-support/home-education

Free tools for your first year

Everything below works whether or not you ever pay us a penny. Use what helps with New Hampshire's requirements and ignore the rest.

Transcript builderBuild a clean high-school transcript with GPA and credits, ready to send to a college.Paperwork generatorFill in your details and get the letter or affidavit your state expects, already worded for it.Printable worksheetsPrint practice pages by grade and subject for the days a screen is the wrong answer.Instruction day logTick off days as you go so the count is already done when your state asks for it.State fundingSee whether your state puts education money in your hands, and how to claim it.Starting guideThe whole first year in five steps, written for someone who has never done this before.

Other states

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii All 51 →

This page was written from New Hampshire's published rules and last checked in March 2026. Laws change between checks, so confirm anything you are about to file with New Hampshire Department of Education / Participating Agency (local superintendent, nonpublic school principal, or state commissioner). This is information for families, not legal advice.

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