Homeschool Laws in New Hampshire
Note: A child is exempt from compulsory attendance if they have graduated from high school or have obtained a high school equivalency certificate. If a student is 16 or 17, they may withdraw from school with written parental consent and after a meeting with school officials, but they remain subject to home education laws if not enrolled elsewhere.
New Hampshire is a state that values educational freedom, offering one of the most streamlined homeschooling processes in the Northeast. While the state requires notification and annual assessments, the burden of reporting is minimal compared to many neighboring states. Since 2012, New Hampshire has transitioned to a ‘one-time notification’ system, significantly reducing annual paperwork for families.
The Legal Landscape
Homeschooling in New Hampshire is primarily governed by RSA 193-A. Under this law, parents have the right to provide home education for their children, provided they meet basic notification and evaluation requirements. The state also offers Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs), which provide state funding for educational expenses but come with different reporting requirements.
Pathway 1: Standard Home Education (RSA 193-A)
This is the traditional route most families take.
1. One-Time Notification
When you begin homeschooling, you must send a ‘Notice of Intent’ to a participating agency. This can be your local school district superintendent, the principal of a local private school (if they agree to act as your agency), or the New Hampshire Department of Education. You only need to file this notice once when you start homeschooling in the district. You do not need to file it every year.
2. Instructional Requirements
New Hampshire law requires that your home education program provide instruction in the following subjects:
- Science
- Mathematics
- Language Arts
- Government and Civics
- Health and Physical Education
- Art and Music
- History
- Constitutions of New Hampshire and the United States
There is no requirement for a specific number of hours or days of instruction, giving parents significant flexibility in scheduling.
3. Annual Evaluation
Every year, you must complete an educational evaluation for each child. You have three main options:
- Standardized Test: A nationally normed achievement test where the child scores at or above the 40th percentile.
- Teacher Portfolio Review: A certified teacher reviews a portfolio of the child’s work and discusses it with the child to certify they are making progress.
- Alternative Agreement: Any other method agreed upon by the parent and the participating agency.
Important: For traditional homeschoolers, you do not submit these results to the state or your school district. You are required to keep these records at home for at least two years. They are only produced if there is a legal dispute regarding the child’s education.
Pathway 2: Education Freedom Accounts (RSA 194-F)
The EFA program allows eligible families to receive state-funded grants to support their child’s education.
- Status: Students using an EFA are legally ‘EFA students,’ not ‘Home Education students.’
- Assessment Submission: Unlike traditional homeschoolers, EFA students must submit their annual assessment results to the Children’s Scholarship Fund NH to remain eligible for the program.
- Eligibility: Generally limited to families at or below 350% of the federal poverty level.
Step-by-Step Compliance Guide
- Notify: Send your Notice of Intent within 5 business days of starting your program. Ensure you receive an acknowledgement from the agency.
- Plan: Choose a curriculum that covers the required subjects. You are not required to use state-approved materials.
- Document: Maintain a portfolio of your child’s work. While not submitted, this is vital for the annual teacher review or for your own records.
- Evaluate: Conduct your annual assessment by July 1st of each year.
- Record-Keep: File your assessment results and portfolio samples in a safe place for two years.
Access to Public School Activities
New Hampshire law (RSA 193:1-c) requires public schools to allow homeschooled students to participate in ‘curricular and co-curricular’ activities. This includes sports, clubs, and even individual classes, subject to the same space and eligibility requirements as enrolled students.
Official Resources
Homeschool Pathways
Standard Home Education
Parent-directed education where the parent serves as the primary instructor and administrator.
- Notification:
- One-time written notice of intent to the 'participating agency' (local superintendent, private school principal, or NH DOE) within 5 days of starting.
- Teacher qualifications:
- None (Parent/Legal Guardian).
- Required subjects:
- Science, mathematics, language arts, government, civics, health, physical education, art, music, history, and constitutions of NH and the US.
- Assessment:
- Annual evaluation required (standardized test, teacher portfolio review, or other agreed-upon method). Results are kept by the parent and not filed with the state.
- Record keeping:
- Maintain a portfolio of records and materials (samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials) and assessment results for 2 years.
- Special conditions:
- Parents must receive a written acknowledgement of their notification from the agency.
- Legal citation:
- NH RSA 193-A
Education Freedom Account (EFA) Student
Student is educated at home using state funds provided through a scholarship organization.
- Notification:
- Application to the Children's Scholarship Fund NH. If previously in public school, notice of withdrawal is required.
- Teacher qualifications:
- None specifically for the parent, though some funds may be used for certified tutors.
- Required subjects:
- Must provide a 'documented record of achievement' in the same subjects required by RSA 193-A.
- Assessment:
- Annual assessment (test or portfolio) MUST be submitted to the Scholarship Organization annually.
- Record keeping:
- Financial records of EFA spending plus academic records and assessment results.
- Special conditions:
- Family must meet income eligibility (350% of Federal Poverty Level) and use funds only for qualifying educational expenses.
- Legal citation:
- NH RSA 194-F
Education Savings Account (ESA)
New Hampshire Education Freedom Accounts (EFA)
Eligibility is based on household income (currently up to 350% of the federal poverty level). The average amount is approximately $4,900-$5,000, which can be used for tuition, tutoring, curriculum, and hardware. It is administered by the Children's Scholarship Fund New Hampshire.
Impact on homeschoolers: Participating in the EFA program changes a student's legal status from a 'Home Education' student (under RSA 193-A) to an 'EFA Student' (under RSA 194-F). EFA students must still meet similar instructional requirements but have additional reporting obligations to the Scholarship Organization, including annual submission of assessment results, which traditional homeschoolers are not required to submit to the state.
Official Resources
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Last verified: February 08, 2026