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Last updated: January 2026 · Approx. 6 minute read

By Sarah Mitchell · Reviewed by Amanda Chen, Esq. · Last reviewed: January 2026

High regulation

Homeschool Laws in New York (2026)

New York has the most extensive homeschool reporting in the country: annual plans, quarterly reports, and standardized testing.

Quick facts at a glance

Compulsory Age
6 to 16
Notification
Submit a Letter of Intent by July 1 (or within 14 days of starting). Submit an I…
Required Hours/Days
900 hours grades 1–6, 990 hours grades 7–12
Evaluation Required
Quarterly reports plus annual assessment: standardized test…

Notification & registration

Submit a Letter of Intent by July 1 (or within 14 days of starting). Submit an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) within 4 weeks.

Required subjects in New York

New York requires homeschool families to cover the following subject areas:

Hours & days of instruction

900 hours grades 1–6, 990 hours grades 7–12

Evaluations & testing

Quarterly reports plus annual assessment: standardized test (required certain years) or written narrative evaluation.

Recordkeeping requirements

Submit IHIP, four quarterly reports, and an annual assessment to your district.

Tip: Homeschool Moment automatically organises every learning moment with a date, AI-written description, and subject tags — producing a portfolio-ready PDF that satisfies most state recordkeeping rules.

Legal homeschool options in New York

How to start homeschooling in New York

  1. Submit a Letter of Intent by July 1 to your local superintendent.
  2. Receive the IHIP form from your district and complete it within 4 weeks.
  3. Submit a withdrawal letter to your child's public school if applicable.
  4. Submit four quarterly reports throughout the year.
  5. Submit an annual assessment (test or narrative) at year-end.

Read the full step-by-step start guide for New York →

Notes & nuances

New York is the most paperwork-heavy state. Many families use a homeschool service to streamline filings.

Frequently asked questions

What is the New York homeschool IHIP?

Individualized Home Instruction Plan — a detailed annual curriculum plan submitted to the local district.

When are New York quarterly reports due?

Throughout the school year, on the dates specified in your IHIP.

Is testing required for New York homeschoolers?

Yes, in alternating grades. Other years allow a written narrative evaluation.

Disclaimer: This page summarises commonly known New York homeschool requirements as of 2026. Laws change. For official, up-to-date legal guidance, consult the HSLDA state guide or your state Department of Education before withdrawing your child or filing paperwork. Homeschool Moment is an educational documentation app, not legal counsel.

Make New York compliance effortless

Capture moments in 10 seconds, let AI write the descriptions, and generate New York-friendly portfolio PDFs at year-end.

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