Homeschooling in Nevada? Here’s your plan.

Homeschooling in Nevada is governed by NRS 388D.020 and 388D.050. Under NRS 392.070, your child's public school enrollment and attendance are excused once you file a notice of intent to homeschool with the superintendent of schools of the district where your child resides. File it before you begin homeschooling, or within 10 days after your child is formally withdrawn from public school, or within 30 days after establishing Nevada residency. The Nevada Department of Education has a standard notice form, and districts make only that form available to parents.

Your notice includes an educational plan covering English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies (including history, geography, economics, and government), as appropriate for your child's age and skill level as you determine. You do not need to teach every subject every year (NRS 388D.050(3)). The district gives you a written acknowledgment, which is proof of compliance with Nevada's compulsory attendance law (NRS 388D.020(7)).

The notice is one-time. You file a new one only if your name, your child's name, or your address changes, within 30 days of the change. Nevada's homeschool statutes set no minimum hours or days. Testing, attendance logs and background checks are not required by state law for the home education notice. Under NRS 388D.050(2), you must be prepared to present your educational plan and proof of your child's identity to a court if the court requires it. Compulsory attendance applies from age 6 until age 18.

Most Nevada families use the home education notice under NRS 388D.020. The alternative is enrolling your child in an exempt private school under NRS chapter 394. Enrollment in a private school excuses compulsory attendance (NRS 392.070), so the family files nothing; the duties below are the school's. The school's exemption is filed with the Nevada State Board of Education on forms from the Department of Education, lasts 2 years, and must be renewed at least 60 days before it expires (NRS 394.211). After each filing, the Superintendent arranges an inspection for compliance with health, safety, and other laws. An exempt school must keep a calendar of at least 180 school days a year (NAC 394.0195(1)(g)) and meet the minimum school-day length for each grade: 240 minutes through grade 2, 300 minutes for grades 3 to 6, and 330 minutes for grades 7 to 12 (NAC 387.131). It teaches the subjects required for public school pupils plus the U.S. and Nevada Constitutions (NRS 394.130 and 394.150), and a student must pass a Constitution examination before receiving a diploma. Whoever teaches the Constitutions must show adequate knowledge of them by examination or college study (NRS 394.160). The school furnishes reports on enrollment, attendance and general progress when the Superintendent asks (NRS 394.130(6)) and reports its number of teachers by October 15 each year (NAC 394.0195(2)). No periodic testing is required on either route.

One-time filing. Nevada does not require annual renewal. File your notice of intent once, and file a new one within 30 days if your name or address changes.

Keep your acknowledgment. The district's written acknowledgment of your notice is proof of compliance with Nevada's compulsory attendance law. The district keeps a copy for at least 15 years, and you should keep yours too.

Withdrawal. If your child is enrolled in public school, file your notice of intent within 10 days after the formal withdrawal. State law does not require a separate letter to the school; ask the school how it completes the withdrawal itself.

Sports and extracurriculars. Under NRS 392.074, a homeschooled child must be allowed to participate in interscholastic activities and events governed by the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association. File a notice of intent to participate with your school district (NRS 388D.070).

Public school classes. Under NRS 392.074, the school board must let your child take public school classes and activities (other than sports) if space is available, your child is qualified, and you have filed a current notice of intent to participate.

IEP considerations. Under NRS 392.072, districts provide special education and related services to eligible homeschooled children in the same manner as for children parents place in private schools under federal law.

College entrance exams. Each school district must let homeschooled children take the SAT, ACT, PSAT, and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test offered in Nevada (NRS 388D.040(3)).