Home Schooling

General Information on Home Schooling in New York City

Homeschooling is when parents teach their children at home instead of sending them to a public, charter, or private school. Parents or guardians are responsible for their child’s education, including choosing materials and setting the schedule. The New York State Education Department (NYSED) requires families to teach specific subjects and submit documentation annually to our office.  These required documents include the Letter of Intent to homeschool, an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP), quarterly progress reports, and an annual assessment.  The specific requirements and timelines are outlined in the steps below.

Teachers from NYC public schools do not provide instruction and homeschooled students do not receive resources like computers, textbooks, or access to most school-based programs, including sports and extracurricular activities.

Important Notes

If you are unsure of your plans, we suggest you do not submit your Letter of Intent until such time as you are able to make a fully informed choice.

  • Only a parent or legal guardian may submit the Letter of Intent.
  • The homeschool year is July 1 to June 30.
  • Children in NYC must attend school or be homeschooled from age 6 until the end of school year they turn 17. Students with special needs can continue until age 21.
  • Five-year-olds can be homeschooled, but the Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP), reports and annual assessment are only required if you request special education services.
  • If your child has a disability and you plan to homeschool, you must request services in writing from the NYCPS Committees on Special Education (CSE) by June 1 for the next school year. 
  • Homeschooled students do not receive a New York State diploma.
  • Diplomas from online-only schools are not recognized by New York State, but online programs can be part of your homeschooling plan (IHIP). Even if an online program uses words like "accredited" or "certified," your student will not receive a New York State diploma. 

If you are unsure of your plans, we suggest you do not submit your Letter of Intent until such time as you are able to make a fully informed choice.  Please review NYS Part 100.10 home school regulations and the accompanying Questions and Answers. These documents explain your responsibilities as a homeschooling parent—including required subjects, timelines, and documentation—and will help ensure you understand the full scope of the process. Both links are provided below.

Links to NYSED CR- Part 100.10 & Frequently Asked Questions 

 

Step 1: Submit a Letter of Intent 

You must submit a Letter of Intent each year for every homeschooled child. This letter notifies NYC Public Schools of your intent to homeschool.  

You may email the Letter of Intent to letterofintent@schools.nyc.gov. 

After submitting the Letter of Intent (LOI) you will need to email registration documents to letterofintent@schools.nyc.gov. 

Documents to be submitted at time of registration:  

  • Copy of parent identification (driver's license, passport, etc.) 
  • Custody Papers (if applicable)  

If you are new to NYC Public Schools or have updated information (e.g., address change), you must also provide: 

  • Proof of your child’s age (child’s birth certificate, passport, or record of baptism)  
  • Proof of residency (utility bill, lease, etc.)  
  • Homeschool Demographic Form  
  • Homeschool Housing Questionnaire  
Important Notes: 

  • Only a parent or legal guardian may submit the Letter of Intent. Submissions from third parties—including guidance counselors or tutors—will not be accepted. 
  • You must submit the letter of intent within 14 days of starting to homeschool. 
  • For the 2024-25 submit your Letter of Intent July 1, 2024, through May 30, 2025. 
  • After submitting the Letter of Intent, you must email the required documents listed above to letterofintent@schools.nyc.gov. 
  • After submitting the Letter of Intent, you child can stop attending school and begin homeschooling. Informing your child’s current school is recommended but not required. 
If we have questions regarding your Letter of Intent, we will contact you via email or the phone number provided. 

An Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) is required each year a student is home schooled. An IHIP outlines your teaching plan for the year and must be submitted within 28 days of starting homeschooling. You can begin teaching before submitting the IHIP. 

The IHIP must include: 
  • Your child’s name, age, and grade level of instruction 
  • NYC Student ID Number (if available) 
  • List of required subjects, curriculum materials, textbooks, or teaching plans 
  • Dates for submitting quarterly reports (evenly spaced throughout the year) 
  • Names of people providing instruction 
Important Notes: 
  • You may use the IHIP template provided below or create your own.  
  • To avoid delays, please submit the IHIP as a PDF in a separate email to homeschool@schools.nyc.gov with the subject line IHIP, your child’s name and NYC student ID Number (if available).  
  • We will review the IHIP and let you know if it meets the requirements of Part 100.10 or if additional information is needed. 
  • IHIPs are reviewed in the order received; please do not send multiple emails as that will delay the process. 
  • OMNY cards are mailed after review of the IHIP to the address provided on the letter of intent.  Address updates should be emailed to letterofintent@schools.nyc.gov.

Step 3: Submit Quarterly Reports and Instructional Hours

Quarterly reports show what your child has learned and how many hours they studied. Reports are due four times a year, spaced according to your IHIP. If you start homeschooling mid-year, the number of reports will reflect the remaining time.  


Each Report Must Include: 
  • Your child’s name, age, and grade level 
  • NYC Student ID Number (if available) 
  • Number of instructional hours during the quarter 
  • Description of materials covered in each subject 
  • Grades or narrative evaluation of progress 
Suggested Due Dates: 
  • November 15: Quarterly Report 1 
  • January 31: Quarterly Report 2 
  • April 15: Quarterly Report 3 
  • June 30: Quarterly Report 4 and Annual Assessment  
Important Notes: 
  • You may use our QR (Quarterly Report) Template provided below or your own template.  
  • Reports issued by an online program must include the information noted above.  
  • Please submit the QR as a PDF in a separate email to homeschool@schools.nyc.gov with the subject line QR, your child’s name and NYC student ID Number (if available). 
  • Please note the required annual hours of instruction by grade: 
    • Grades 1-6: A minimum of 900 hours of instruction per year. 
    • Grades 7-12: A minimum of 990 hours of instruction per year. 
  • Submit all reports as PDFs to homeschool@schools.nyc.gov. 
  • We do not provide feedback on quarterly reports.  
  • Please do not send multiple emails as that will delay the process, you may use the sent email as evidence of submission. 

Step 4: Submit the Annual Assessment

An annual assessment evaluates your child’s progress for the school year. This is due by June 30 every year.  

Options for Annual Assessment: 

  • Grades 1–3: Choose a standardized test or a written narrative evaluation. 
  • Grades 4–8: Use a standardized test at least every other year; written narratives are allowed in alternate years. For example, you could use a written narrative evaluation in grade 4 but would need to use a standardized test in grade 5, and so on. 
  • Grades 9–12: Standardized tests are required every year. 
  • For students in grades K-12 whose IESP indicates an alternate assessment, the annual assessment may be the written narrative evaluation or a portfolio of examples of the child’s educational achievement of standards compared with his/her peers.  
Written Narrative: A brief report summarizing your child’s progress, noting if goals were met and plans for advancing to the next grade. You may use our written narrative template provided below or your own template.  

Standardized Assessment: You can use any of the state-approved standardized assessments listed below.  

  • NYS Regents and NYS ELA/Mathematics examinations- Please note that these exams must be taken at a public or registered nonpublic school. If you want your child to take the Regents or the NYS ELA/Math exams, please contact a local public school to register your child for the exam. Please note that this is at the discretion of the principal.  
  • Iowa Assessments (formerly Iowa Test of Basic Skills)   
  • Stanford Achievement Test Series (formerly Stanford Test of Basic Skills)   
  • Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (now known as TerraNova® Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS) Plus Edition for grades K-12)     
  • California Achievement Test     
  • P.A.S.S. (Personalized Assessment of Student Success) Test   
  • Metropolitan Achievement Test   
Important Notes: 

  • Parents and/or individuals listed on the Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) may write the narrative evaluation, purchase, administer, and score commercially published norm-referenced achievement exams.      
  • Submit test results or the narrative as a PDF along with your 4th Quarterly Report by June 30 to homeschool@schools.nyc.gov the subject line 4th QR/Annual Assessment, your child’s name and NYC student ID Number (if available). 
  • Please do not send multiple emails as that will delay the process, you may use the sent email as evidence of submission. 
  • We will not provide feedback on the annual assessment unless:  
    • The assessment scores fall below the 33rd percentile. 
    • You have indicated that your child did not make significant progress. 
    • You have submitted an incorrect type of assessment. 

Is Homeschooling the same as Home Instruction or Medically Necessary Instruction?  

No. Homeschooling is parent-led education. Teachers from NYC public schools do not provide instruction and homeschooled students do not have access to general education instruction or instructional materials.   

Home instruction is for students in grades K-12 who cannot attend school for medical reasons and is provided by NYC Public Schools. Visit the Home Instruction page to get additional information about the application process and eligibility.  

Medically Necessary Instruction is for students in grades 3K to12 who cannot attend school for medical reasons and is provided by NYC Public Schools. Visit the Medically Necessary Instruction page to get additional information about the application process and eligibility.  

At what age can I register my child in homeschooling? 

Children must be in school or homeschooled from age 6 until the school year they turn 17. Special needs students may continue until age 21. Five-year-olds can be homeschooled, but formal reporting requirements only apply if you request special education services. 

Can I use a tutor to provide instruction?

Yes. Parents may engage the services of a tutor to provide instruction for all or a portion of the home instruction program. 

Can a group of parents provide home instruction collectively by engaging the services of a tutor to provide group instruction to their children? 

Yes, with limitations. Parents may arrange for their children to receive group instruction from a tutor for specific subjects within a home school program.  However, where group instruction by a tutor constitutes the majority of the instructional program, it may be considered to operate as a religious or independent school rather than a home school program.  

How is my child promoted to the next grade? 

In homeschool, there is no formal promotional policy. Your child is placed in the grade level that aligns with their age. You have the flexibility to provide instruction at the grade level you feel best meets your child's needs. If your child returns to school, the principal will determine the appropriate grade level placement and assess any credits that may be granted.  

Can homeschooled students including D75 receive special education services?

Yes, you are required to place a request in writing by June 1 for the next school year or within 30 days after the disability is identified to the Committees on Special Education (CSE). You may contact them directly via email.  Visit the  Committees on Special Education page to find your local CSE.

How do I get an OMNY Card for my child? 

OMNY cards are mailed after review of the IHIP to the address provided on the letter of intent.  Address updates should be emailed to letterofintent@schools.nyc.gov.

Must my child be immunized to homeschool?

No, unless you are asking for access to participate in any activity or event at the school such as testing. 

Can I discharge my student from the New York City school system to an accredited online-only school?

No, however online programs can be used for your homeschooling plan (IHIP).

What if I moved or no longer home school my children?

Email letterofintent@schools.nyc.gov to notify the Central Office of Homeschooling.

What if I want to enroll my children in public school in New York City?

Email letterofintent@schools.nyc.gov  to notify the Central Office of Homeschooling. 

Please note that upon return to school, the principal determines the grade level, and any credits granted. 

Documents


Contact Information 

Phone Number:

(718) 935 -2343

Email:

Letterofintent@schools.nyc.gov (for enrollment inquires, submission of Letters of Intent and registration documents) 

Homeschool@schools.nyc.gov (for general inquiries, submission of IHIP and reports) 

  • Email Us

    For registration & enrollment inquires: LetterofIntent@schools.nyc.gov. For instructional inquires: Homeschool@schools.nyc.gov

  • Call Us

    Call Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm at 718 935 2343

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