How to Start Homeschooling in Rhode Island

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Rhode Island. Your right comes from R.I.G.L. Section 16-19-2. That law says a child may be excused from public school if the child is being "otherwise instructed" in a manner "approved by the school committee of the town where such child resides."

The key phrase is "approved by the school committee." Rhode Island is not a notification-only state like New Jersey or Connecticut. You cannot simply file a form and start teaching the next morning. Your town's school committee reviews and approves your plan first. This puts Rhode Island in the high-regulation category. More steps, but nothing you cannot handle.

The companion law is R.I.G.L. Section 16-19-1. That is the compulsory attendance statute requiring parents to cause their children to attend school. Section 16-19-2 creates the exemption for families who choose to educate at home.

Rhode Island requires education for children ages 6 through 18 under R.I.G.L. Section 16-19-1. Specifically, compulsory attendance applies to children who have turned 6 on or before September 1 of the school year. The obligation continues through age 18.

Rhode Island raised the upper compulsory age from 16 to 18 around 2009. That is higher than many states. One detail to watch: if your child is already enrolled in kindergarten, they are subject to compulsory attendance regardless of age.

If your child is under 6 and not enrolled in kindergarten, you are free to teach at home with no paperwork required.

Here is how to start homeschooling in Rhode Island, step by step.

Step 1: Call your superintendent's office. Every town handles this differently, so this call is essential. Say: "I am planning to homeschool my child and I need to understand your approval process for home instruction under R.I.G.L. Section 16-19-2." Ask these specific questions: Do you have a homeschool application form? What is the deadline to apply? What documents do you need from me? Will the committee want to meet with me? Write down the name of who you speak with and the date you called.

Step 2: Write your homeschool plan. Put together a clear written plan. Include the subjects you will teach, the curriculum or materials you will use, and your planned number of instructional days. Your instruction must be "substantially equal" to what the public schools offer, per R.I.G.L. Section 16-19-2. That means equivalent in scope, not identical in method. You pick your own books, schedule, and approach.

Step 3: Submit your plan. Send your plan to the school committee or superintendent following the process from Step 1. If they have a form, use it. If they accept a letter, write a thorough one. Keep a copy of everything you submit with the date you sent it.

Step 4: Prepare for and attend any meetings. Some school committees want to meet before granting approval. Bring a copy of your plan, sample curriculum materials, and a list of the subjects you will cover. Most committees simply want to see that you have a thoughtful approach. Be friendly and prepared. This meeting is a conversation, not an exam.

Step 5: Get written approval before you start. Do not begin homeschooling until you have approval in hand. Until the school committee says yes, your child must continue attending their current school under R.I.G.L. Section 16-19-1. Starting without approval could lead to truancy proceedings. Save your approval letter somewhere safe.

Step 6: Send a withdrawal letter. Once approved, notify your child's school in writing. Write something like: "I am writing to inform you that [child's name] is being withdrawn from [school name] effective [date] to receive home instruction approved by the [town name] school committee on [approval date]." Request copies of all educational records under FERPA. Send this by certified mail or hand-deliver it and ask for a receipt.

Step 7: Start teaching. Follow your approved plan and begin your homeschool year. You are officially a homeschooling family.

Step 8: Renew each year. Most school committees require annual renewal. Ask about the renewal process and deadline when you first get approved. Mark the deadline on your calendar so you do not let your approval lapse.

Under R.I.G.L. 16-19-2, there is no single statewide homeschool form in Rhode Island. Each school committee sets its own process. Some towns have official application packets. Others accept a detailed letter.

Your submission should include your child's name and age, the subjects you plan to teach, the curriculum or materials you will use, and your planned instructional schedule. Some committees also ask about your qualifications as the instructor and how you plan to assess your child's progress.

Everything stays between you and your town. Nothing goes to the Rhode Island Department of Education. Keep copies of everything you submit and every response you receive in a dedicated binder or folder.

In Rhode Island, you get approval first, then withdraw. That order matters.

Submit your homeschool plan to the school committee. Wait for written approval. Then send a withdrawal letter to your child's school. Do not pull your child out before you have the approval letter. Until the committee signs off, your child must keep attending.

Some school committees handle withdrawal and approval as one process. Ask your superintendent how they coordinate it. Either way, get the approval letter before your child's last day.

You can begin the homeschool approval process mid-year. The same steps apply. Ask whether your school committee handles mid-year requests differently or on a faster timeline.

R.I.G.L. Section 16-19-2 says your instruction must be "substantially equal" to the public schools in your town. The statute names these core subjects:

• Reading
• Writing
• Mathematics
• Geography
• United States and Rhode Island history
• Principles of American government
• English

Your school committee may add to this list or define subjects more specifically for your town. But the "substantially equal" standard is flexible. It means equivalent in scope, not identical in method. You choose your own curriculum, textbooks, and teaching approach. You do not need to mirror the public school lesson plans or use their materials.

Rhode Island requires instruction for a period "substantially equal" to public schools, per R.I.G.L. Section 16-19-2. Rhode Island public schools typically follow a 180-day school year.

Your school committee may ask how many days or hours you plan to teach. There is no statewide law setting a specific number of hours per day. The standard is rough equivalency with the public school calendar. Homeschool families often cover material faster because of one-on-one instruction. Include your planned number of instructional days in your education plan. Something like "approximately 180 instructional days" is a solid starting point.

Your town shapes your entire experience. This is the most important thing about homeschooling in Rhode Island. Two families in neighboring towns can face completely different requirements. Some school committees are welcoming and keep the process simple. Others require more documentation and oversight. Connect with the Rhode Island Guild of Home Teachers (RIGHT) at rihomeschool.com. They know how each school committee operates and can tell you exactly what to expect in your town.

Get every requirement in writing. School committee members change. Verbal promises do not survive turnover. When you call the superintendent's office, follow up with an email: "Thank you for our conversation today. I want to confirm the requirements you described are..." This creates a paper trail that protects you.

Know the difference between state law and local policy. Some school committees impose requirements that go beyond what R.I.G.L. Section 16-19-2 actually requires. The statute sets the floor. Local committees sometimes add to it. Understanding this difference helps if you ever need to push back politely. If a committee asks for something that feels excessive, ask: "Is this required by statute or is this a local policy?"

Do not miss deadlines. Some school committees have firm application deadlines, often before the start of the school year. Missing a deadline can delay your approval and create compliance problems. Ask about deadlines at your very first call.

Do not let your annual renewal lapse. Most committees require yearly renewal. If you forget to renew, your approval may expire and your child could technically be out of compliance. Set a calendar reminder well before the renewal deadline.

Moving towns means starting over. If you relocate within Rhode Island, you must seek approval from the new school committee. Their process may differ from what you are used to. Contact them as soon as you know your new address.

There is no umbrella school shortcut. Rhode Island has no umbrella school, cover school, or alternative filing pathway. School committee approval is the only legal route.

Plan ahead for high school. You issue the diploma. Rhode Island has no state homeschool diploma or official transcript form. Create your own transcripts and keep careful records of courses, grades, and credits starting in 9th grade. Students can also pursue a GED or HiSET equivalency credential.

Special needs families: protect your options. Children with IEPs who leave public school for homeschooling may lose access to district special education services. The obligations in this area are genuinely unclear and vary by district. Dual enrollment in public school is the most reliable path to continue receiving services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, or behavioral support. When your homeschool program is approved, request that the IEP team meet to discuss what support may continue. Federal Child Find requirements still apply, so your district must evaluate children with suspected disabilities even when they are homeschooled.

Public school sports and classes are not guaranteed. No statewide law gives homeschoolers the right to play public school sports or take individual public school classes. Some school committees allow it on a case-by-case basis. The Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) sets its own policies on homeschool eligibility. Ask your committee what options exist in your town.