How to Start Homeschooling in New Hampshire

Yes. Homeschooling is fully legal in New Hampshire. The state has a dedicated home education statute, RSA 193-A, written specifically for families who teach at home.

The law states that a parent's right to direct their child's education is a natural right, and that a parent may educate their own child at home under RSA 193-A (RSA 193-A:2). It gives a parent the right to establish a home education program regardless of the child's ability, disability, developmental status, or educational needs (RSA 193-A:4, I).

The law also limits local rules. No superintendent, school board, or other local or state official may adopt or enforce a policy governing home educated students, except policies for public school courses and programs under RSA 193:1-c (RSA 193-A:4, II).

New Hampshire requires education for children from age 6 until age 18. Under RSA 193:1, compulsory attendance applies to a child at least 6 years of age and under 18. A child who turns 6 after September 30 may wait until the following school year.

If your child is under 6, you have no obligation yet. Use that time to explore curricula and connect with local homeschool families.

Here is how to start homeschooling in New Hampshire:

Step 1: Check whether your child is enrolled in a public school. If your child has never been enrolled, or is coming from a private school or another state, there is no notice to file to start home education (RSA 193-A:3).

Step 2: If your child is in public school, write a declaration of home education. RSA 193-A:3 requires one upon withdrawal from a public school. It is a signed statement that your child is home educated and meets the compulsory attendance requirements, with your child's name, date of birth, and current address (RSA 193-A:1, III). See the withdrawal section below for where to send it.

Step 3: Start teaching. Pick your curriculum, your materials, and your methods. There is no waiting period and no one to approve your choices.

Step 4: Decide whether you want public school courses or activities. If your child wants to take a class or join a team at the local public school under RSA 193:1-c, you will need a declaration of home education (RSA 193-A:3). Contact your district to ask how they would like to receive it.

If your child is in public school now, plan the withdrawal before you start. RSA 193-A:3 requires a declaration of home education upon withdrawal from a public school. The statute does not say who receives it or set a deadline.

A state Board of Education rule written for the earlier law, Ed 315.05(b), says the parent of a student enrolled in a public school shall advise the resident district superintendent of the withdrawal on or before the date the home education program begins. That rule has not been updated since the 2026 law, and whether it still applies is not settled. Giving your declaration to your resident district superintendent on or before your first day of home education meets the words of both RSA 193-A:3 and Ed 315.05(b).

Your information stays private. Any information you submit about your home education program to a state agency, school district, or government entity is confidential and may not be disclosed without your written consent (RSA 193-A:4, VI).

Your child can take public school courses and join activities. Under RSA 193:1-c, home educated students have access to curricular courses and co-curricular programs, including athletics, offered by their resident district. Local policies for these students may not be more restrictive than those for public school students. You will need a declaration of home education to take part (RSA 193-A:3).

Know how the Education Freedom Account program fits. The EFA program (RSA 194-F) provides funds that can be used for tuition, online programs, tutoring, curriculum, technology, educational therapies, and testing. A child in the EFA program is not a home educated student under RSA 193-A (RSA 193-A:1, IV), and enrolling in the EFA program ends a home education program (RSA 193-A:4, VII). Compare the two options before you apply.

You issue the diploma. New Hampshire does not offer a state homeschool diploma. You create your child's diploma and transcript yourself. Students can also take the GED or HiSET. If your child is college-bound, start a transcript early with course names, grades, and descriptions for each year.

Consider the optional certificate of completion. When your child completes their home education program, you may sign a certificate of completion with your child's name and date of birth, the parents' names, and the completion date. If you submit it to the commissioner of education, the commissioner issues a certificate within 30 days stating that your child completed a home education program in New Hampshire (RSA 193-A:5).

Plan ahead if your child has special needs. IEP services end when you withdraw from public school, and New Hampshire does not require districts to provide ongoing special education services to homeschooled children. Your district must still find and evaluate children with disabilities under Child Find. Ongoing speech, occupational, or behavioral therapy will generally come from private providers.