New York Homeschool Requirements Checklist

Required subjects (varies by grade)

Grades 1–6: arithmetic, reading, spelling, writing, the English language, geography, United States history, science, health education, music, visual arts, physical education, bilingual education and/or English as a second language where the need is indicated. Grades 7–8: English (two units), history and geography (two units), science (two units), mathematics (two units), physical education (on a regular basis), health education (on a regular basis), art (one-half unit), music (one-half unit), practical arts (on a regular basis), library skills (on a regular basis). Grades 1–8: United States history, New York State history, and the Constitutions of the United States and New York State (at least once during the first eight grades). Grades 9–12: English (four units), social studies (four units), including one unit of American history, one-half unit in participation in government, and one-half unit of economics, mathematics (two units), science (two units), art and/or music (one unit), health education (one-half unit), physical education (two units), three units of electives. Grades K–12: patriotism and citizenship, health education regarding alcohol, drug and tobacco misuse, highway safety and traffic regulations, including bicycle safety, fire and arson prevention and safety Conditions: This is the list for grades one through six. Bilingual education and/or English as a second language is also required where the need is indicated (8 NYCRR 100.10(e)(2)(i)). Grades 7-8 and 9-12 have different unit-based course requirements, and Education Law 801, 804, 806 and 808 subjects apply in kindergarten through grade 12 (8 NYCRR 100.10(e)(2)(ii)-(v)); see the by-grade list. A unit means 6,480 minutes of instruction per school year; unit counts for grades 7-8 and 9-12 are cumulative across those grades (8 NYCRR 100.10(e)(1)-(2)).

Meet instructional time requirements

Minimum: 900 hours/year, 180 days/year. You must track and document hours. Conditions: The regulation requires the substantial equivalent of 180 days, alongside cumulative hours of 900 (grades 1-6) or 990 (grades 7-12) per year (8 NYCRR 100.10(f)(1)-(2)). 900 hours per year applies to grades 1 through 6; grades 7 through 12 require 990 hours per year (8 NYCRR 100.10(f)(2)).

Show your child's progress

Standardized test or Teacher evaluation — annually. Minimum: Composite score above the 33rd percentile on national norms, OR one academic year of growth compared to a test administered during or after the prior school year. Conditions: An annual assessment is filed every school year, not only at listed grades (8 NYCRR 100.10(h)). A written narrative may replace the test only in grades one through three, and in grades four through eight no more often than every other school year; grades 9-12 use a norm-referenced achievement test (8 NYCRR 100.10(h)(2)).

Keep basic records

You must maintain: attendance records, grades or evaluations. Records may be reviewed by the district. Conditions: Each quarterly report must give either a grade in each subject or a written narrative evaluating the child's progress; parents may use the narrative instead of grades (8 NYCRR 100.10(g)(3)).

Submit quarterly progress reports

Submit quarterly progress reports to school district. Annual renewal also required by July 1 annually (notice of intent); IHIP within four weeks of receiving the district's IHIP materials or by August 15, whichever is later. Conditions: You file a quarterly report each quarter (8 NYCRR 100.10(g)). With the fourth quarterly report you file the annual assessment: standardized test results, or, where allowed, a written narrative evaluation instead (grades 1-3, and grades 4-8 no more often than every other school year; 100.10(h)(2)). You file one or the other, not both. Attendance records are not a separate filing; each quarterly report states the hours of instruction for the quarter (100.10(g)(1)).