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2026 State Guide
Homeschooling in New York: Requirements & Rules
Homeschooling is legal in New York, and families face substantial notification, instruction, and assessment requirements. Here’s everything you need to stay compliant, in plain English.
- Regulation level
- High
- Notification
- Annual notice
- Instruction time
- 180 days/year
- Required subjects
- 15 subjects
- Assessment
- Required
- Recordkeeping
- Required
- Compulsory ages
- 6–17
Notification
New York requires annual notice, due july 1 annually; quarterly reports during school year.
File an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) with the local school district by July 1 or within 14 days of starting. Submit quarterly reports to the district.
Instruction time
New York requires 180 days of instruction per school year.
900 hours/year for grades 1–6, 990 for grades 7–12; quarterly reports must state hours taught.
Required subjects
- Arithmetic
- Reading
- Spelling
- Writing
- English
- Geography
- U.S. history
- New York history
- Civics
- Science
- Health
- Physical education
- Music
- Visual arts
- Library skills
Grades 1–6: arithmetic, reading, spelling, writing, English, geography, US history, NY history, civics, science, health, fire/traffic/bicycle safety, PE, music, art. Grades 7–8 & 9–12 have additional subject requirements.
Assessment & testing
New York requires periodic assessment of homeschooled students.
Annual assessment — standardized test in alternate years (grades 4+) or annual narrative evaluation.
Recordkeeping
New York requires homeschool families to maintain records.
IHIP and quarterly reports required. Records retained for 3 years.
Parent qualifications
Must be 'competent' (not further defined).
Good to know
New York is the most administratively complex state for homeschooling. The IHIP and quarterly reporting system is unique to NY.
Track New York’s requirements automatically
Homeschool Wizard logs your school days, hours, and subjects against New York’s rules — and turns them into portfolio PDFs, transcripts, and report cards when you need them. Free for one student.
Private by design: your family’s records stay on your device.
Frequently asked questions
Is homeschooling legal in New York?
Yes — homeschooling is legal in all 50 states. In New York, families face substantial notification, instruction, and assessment requirements. Children ages 6–17 fall under compulsory education law.
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in New York?
Yes. New York requires annual notice — july 1 annually; quarterly reports during school year. File an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) with the local school district by July 1 or within 14 days of starting. Submit quarterly reports to the district.
How many days or hours of instruction does New York require?
New York requires 180 days of instruction per year. 900 hours/year for grades 1–6, 990 for grades 7–12; quarterly reports must state hours taught.
What subjects are required in New York?
New York requires: Arithmetic, Reading, Spelling, Writing, English, Geography, U.S. history, New York history, Civics, Science, Health, Physical education, Music, Visual arts, Library skills. Grades 1–6: arithmetic, reading, spelling, writing, English, geography, US history, NY history, civics, science, health, fire/traffic/bicycle safety, PE, music, art. Grades 7–8 & 9–12 have additional subject requirements.
Is testing or assessment required for homeschoolers in New York?
Yes — New York has an assessment requirement. Annual assessment — standardized test in alternate years (grades 4+) or annual narrative evaluation.
What records do homeschoolers need to keep in New York?
New York requires families to keep homeschool records. IHIP and quarterly reports required. Records retained for 3 years.
Official sources
Verify current requirements with the New York Department of Education and HSLDA’s New York page.
Not legal advice. This data is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Homeschool laws change frequently. Always verify requirements with your state's Department of Education or a qualified homeschool legal organization before making compliance decisions. Requirements shown were last verified 2026-09.