General Information on Home Schooling in New York City
The Central Office of Home Schooling welcomes you to the 2023-2024 school year. The information below will provide you with instructions to register your child (or continue) home school education for the 2023-2024 school year.
Homeschooling is an education model in which parents educate their children at home instead of sending them to a traditional public or private school. In homeschool, the parent or guardian is responsible for the education of their child. They choose the subjects to be taught (based on a child’s age and ability) as well as the curriculum and methods of teaching, plan the schedule, and teach or facilitate instruction. Homeschooling is independent, parent-directed, and parent-funded education.
Learn more by watching our video and scroll down for more information and updates.
How do I enroll (or re-enroll) my child in home schooling for this school year?
To continue home schooling your child, you must annually submit a Letter of Intent for each child. For the 2023-24 school year, this letter is due on or about July 1, 2023:
- For new and returning homeschooled students: complete the 2023-24 Online Letter of Intent Form at https://forms.office.com/r/89bhwiGqS4. New siblings of currently home schooled students may also be added using this form (recommended method of submission for students currently homeschooling)
- A Letter of Intent form to register students new (and returning) to homeschooling is available in the document section below; please complete the document and email to letterofintent@schools.nyc.gov.
- Parents who determine to commence home instruction (or who establish residence in the school district after the start of the school year) must submit a Letter of Intent to home school within 14 days following the start of home instruction within the school district. You may use the Letter of Intent PDF template (found in the document section below) and email the completed form to letterofintent@schools.nyc.gov.
After a Letter of Intent is sent, what are the next steps?
After a Letter of Intent to home school is submitted, you will receive an auto-response email that confirms receipt. You may begin to home school your child(ren) immediately. While not required, we recommend you notify in writing the district or charter school your child(ren) attend of the Letter of Intent submission.
In order to ensure that your child receives an educational experience aligned to the New York State Education Department (NYSED) Commissioner’s Regulation Part 100.10, there are several forms that you are required to submit over the course of the school year.
State regulations allow 28 days to submit the Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP); you do not need to wait for submission or approval of the IHIP to begin home schooling. An Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) is required each year a student is home schooled.
If there are any questions or issues in your Letter of Intent or IHIP submission, a staff member will reach out to you at the telephone or email address provided for more information.
Annual Mandated Deadlines
- On or about July 1, 2023: Submit Letter of Intent [See Part 100.10]
- On or about August 15, 2023: Submit Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) [See Part 100.10]
- Part 100.10 provides families four weeks after submission of a Letter of Intent (August 15, for Letters of Intent due on July 1) to submit the completed IHIP form.
- November 15, 2023: Submit Quarterly Report #1
- January 31, 2024: Submit Quarterly Report #2
- April 15, 2024: Submit Quarterly Report #3
- June 30, 2024: Submit Quarterly Report #4 and Annual Assessment
Dates for Quarterly Reports 1 – 3 are suggested by the Central Office of Home Schooling. Parents may determine actual dates of quarterly reports submission on the final page of IHIP, but reports must be sent in four evenly spaced quarterly intervals. For students entering home schooling during the school year, the number of reports should be proportional to the period of home instruction.
Document Templates and Submission
To support parents and families, we have provided electronic copies of every form. You are able to download each form in the language you speak at home and fill out the form on your computer or electronic device. A list of the forms is at the bottom of this page. You are not required to use these templates and may submit your own forms.
Parents of children who are currently home schooled in NYC must send all compliance items directly to homeschool@schools.nyc.gov. Please note that compliance items including Letters of Intent, Quarterly Reports, IHIPs, and Annual Assessments cannot be accepted via fax; while email submission is preferred forms may be mailed to our office.
It is the sole responsibility of the parent or guardian of each child to submit these items on time and according to the mandates of NYSED Commissioner’s Regulation Part 100.10.
What if I moved or no longer home school my children?
If you are no longer a New York City homeschooling family, please email homeschool@schools.nyc.gov and provide a brief description of the circumstances, which may include the following:
- If your child has completed homeschooling for the school year in which they turn 17 years old, your child is beyond compulsory age and may be discharged;
- If your child has transferred to a private, parochial, or non-public school and you still reside in New York City we are able to discharge your child;
- If you have permanently moved outside of New York City or the United States, and do not plan to return to New York City we are able to discharge your child; or
- If your child has passed the TASC (formerly GED) assessment, we may discharge your child.
A written request (including an email) from a parent/guardian is required to discharge a student of compulsory age from home schooling. Additional information may be requested depending on circumstances to successfully discharge a student.
If you have moved or your contact information has changed, please send an email to homeschool@schools.nyc.gov along with the student name(s) to avoid any delays.
What if I want to enroll my children to public school in New York City?
If you decide to enroll your child(ren) in the public school system, you may do so at any time. Reach out to a Family Welcome Center to discuss your options.
What if I have additional questions?
See the Home Schooling Questions and Answers Q&A page for the most recent news and announcements, as well as detailed questions and answers on home schooling.
See the Information for Parents - School Year 2021-22 document for assistance with common requests; most do not require an in-person visit.
Read the NY State Education Department's answers to Frequently Asked Questions about home schooling, and for more detailed information, read the NY State Education Department’s Commissioner’s Regulation Part 100.10.
Families interested in medically necessary instruction should visit the Medically Necessary Instruction page to get additional information about the application process and eligibility
Documents
Parents and guardians are welcome to use the templates below. Documents last revised as of June, 2023.