North Carolina Homeschool Documents & Templates

What to file

simple notice

Send to

Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE)

Deadline

At least 5 days before opening the home school (DNPE requires written acknowledgment before starting)

How often

one time

Official form

Download / access form

Filed online via the DNPE website. Required information includes name and address of the school, name of owner/operator, and name and address of chief administrator.

N.C.G.S. 115C-552; N.C.G.S. 115C-560 (via 115C-564)

First-time vs. renewal

Status

Not required, but recommended to prevent truancy concerns

Send to

current public school

No mandatory waiting period. Home school may begin as soon as DNPE notice is filed and child is withdrawn. Failure to file DNPE notice promptly can trigger truancy proceedings. Keep copies of withdrawal letter and DNPE filing confirmation.

• ✓Attendance records

Records may be reviewed by the district.

Must maintain attendance records and immunization records. Standardized test results retained for at least one year. Records must be available for inspection by DNPE upon request. No statutory requirement for portfolio, daily logs, or detailed curricular records.

N.C.G.S. 115C-548; N.C.G.S. 115C-556 (via 115C-564)

This page covers Home School (DNPE Filing). North Carolina offers 2 different ways to homeschool, and each may require different documents:

• •
  Home School (DNPE Filing)(this page): You file a one-time notice with the Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE) online before you start, teach on a regular schedule for at least 9 calendar months, and administer a nationally standardized test each year. No mandated subjects. The teaching parent must have a high school diploma or GED. No minimum test score required — results are kept at home, not submitted.
• •
  Private Church School / School of Religious Charter: You enroll in a private church school or school of religious charter that files with DNPE on your behalf. No high school diploma requirement for the instructor and no required subject list from the state. Standardized testing is required at grades 3, 6, and 9 (not annually). Best for families affiliated with a church or who want reduced requirements compared to the direct home school pathway.

Our wizard helps you choose the right one and generates the correct documents. Compare all pathways for North Carolina