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.

This is not a gray area. Unlike states where homeschooling hides under a vague "equivalent instruction" clause, New Hampshire spells out the rules clearly. RSA 193-A covers notification, required subjects, and evaluations. Your right to homeschool is well-established.

One important thing: the notification you file is a notice, not a request. No one can deny your program. You are telling them your plans, not asking for permission.

New Hampshire requires education for children ages 6 through 18. Under RSA 193:1, compulsory education applies once a child reaches age 6 and lasts until age 18.

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

Here is exactly how to start homeschooling in New Hampshire:

Step 1: Pick who you will report to. You have three options under RSA 193-A. All three have the same subject and evaluation rules. The only difference is who you interact with and how fast you file.

• Local superintendent — file within 5 business days. The most common choice.
• NH Department of Education — file within 5 business days. Good if you prefer state-level contact.
• A participating private school — file within 5 business days. Gives you the most distance from public school oversight.

Step 2: Send your notification letter. Write a simple letter with four things: (1) your child's name and age, (2) your family address, (3) a statement that you intend to provide home education, and (4) the date you are starting. That is the whole letter. No curriculum plans. No credentials. No lesson outlines. There is no state form — a plain letter works. Send it to the contact you chose in Step 1.

Step 3: Withdraw from school (if your child is enrolled). Your RSA 193-A notification counts as legal withdrawal under RSA 193-A:2. But send a short letter to the school too. Write something like: "My child [name] is being withdrawn from [school name] on [date] to begin a home education program under RSA 193-A." This prevents the school from marking absences.

Step 4: Start teaching. Pick your curriculum. Pick your textbooks. Pick your methods. There is no waiting period and no one to approve your choices. Just begin.

Step 5: Do your annual evaluation. Once a year, evaluate your child's progress. You choose the method. Keep the results on file -- they are your private property and are not submitted to the state or your oversight contact. See the testing section below for the five options.

You file one notification letter to get started. It goes to your superintendent, the DOE, or a private school. Include your child's name and age, your address, and a sentence about your intent to homeschool.

Here is the best part: no annual renewal. Your notification stays active unless you switch oversight contacts or move to a new district. You do not refile each year.

Your only recurring obligation is completing an annual evaluation, which you keep on file privately. And if you stop homeschooling for any reason, file a short termination notice under RSA 193-A:6.

Under RSA 193-A:2, cover these subjects:

• Science
• Mathematics
• Language (reading, writing, spelling, grammar)
• Government (United States and New Hampshire)
• History (United States and New Hampshire)
• Health
• Reading
• English
• Exposure to and appreciation of art and music

This sounds like a lot of subjects — it is not. Reading, English, and language overlap heavily. You will cover most of these naturally with any solid curriculum.

One detail to watch: the law says both U.S. and New Hampshire government and history. You do not need a separate course. Just weave some state-level content into what you already teach.

The statute names subjects but does not pick your curriculum. No required textbooks. No required methods. Match your teaching to your child's level and go from there.

New Hampshire requires one evaluation per year. You pick the method. Under RSA 193-A:4, here are your five options:

1. Standardized test — a nationally normed test given by a qualified person.
2. NH certified teacher — a certified teacher reviews your child's work and progress.
3. Private school teacher — a teacher currently working at a nonpublic school evaluates your child.
4. Portfolio review — maintain a portfolio of work samples demonstrating your child's progress.
5. Other agreed method — anything you and your oversight contact agree on together.

Evaluation results are your private property. You are not required to submit them to your superintendent, the DOE, or your private school. No minimum score is required.

If an evaluation shows your child needs extra support, the superintendent or DOE may ask for more information or a meeting. This is rare and meant to help, not punish.

New Hampshire gives you three ways to set up your homeschool. The rules are the same across all three. You are only choosing who to work with.

Superintendent pathway. Notify within 5 business days. This is the fastest and most common route. Evaluation results remain your private property.

Department of Education pathway. Notify within 5 business days. Choose this if you want state-level contact instead of local. Evaluation results remain your private property.

Private school pathway. Notify within 5 business days. A participating nonpublic school oversees your program. This gives you the most separation from public school oversight. Evaluation results remain your private property.

You can switch between pathways at any time by filing a new notification. If one option is not working, change it.

Build your portfolio from day one. RSA 193-A:5 says you must keep a portfolio of your child's work. That means writing samples, worksheets, workbooks, and other materials. Keep evaluation results too. Set up a folder or binder for each child, organized by subject. Add to it weekly. When evaluation time arrives, you will be ready.

Apply for an Education Freedom Account. New Hampshire's EFA program (RSA 194-F) provides about $4,265.64 per student for the 2025-2026 school year. The program is now universal. Governor Ayotte signed the law removing the income cap on June 10, 2025.

Apply through the Children's Scholarship Fund New Hampshire. Use the funds for curriculum, textbooks, tutoring, online courses, educational therapy, and testing fees. Current enrollment is about 10,510 students with roughly $51.6 million in total state spending.

The enrollment cap is 10,000 for 2025-2026. It auto-increases to 12,500 if applications hit 90%. If the cap fills, priority goes to: (1) current EFA students, (2) siblings, (3) children with disabilities under RSA 186-C:2, and (4) families at or below 350% of the federal poverty level.

One important note: EFA recipients must still follow all RSA 193-A rules. Accepting funds may add testing and reporting beyond the baseline requirements.

Your child can take public school courses. Under RSA 193:1-c, homeschooled students can take up to 2 courses free through concurrent enrollment. They can also join co-curricular activities, including sports. Contact your local district to learn how to sign up.

You issue the diploma. New Hampshire does not offer a state homeschool diploma. You create your child's diploma and transcript yourself. No template exists. 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.

Plan ahead if your child has special needs. IEP services end when you withdraw from public school. New Hampshire does not require districts to serve homeschooled children with special education. Your district must still evaluate your child under Child Find (ages 2.5 to 21). But ongoing speech, occupational, or behavioral therapy will come from private providers. The EFA program may help — additional funds may be available for students with special needs.

File a termination notice when you stop. If your home education program ends — your child goes back to school, graduates, or turns 18 — file a notice under RSA 193-A:6. Small step, but it keeps your records clean.