Homeschooling in New York City

If you’re considering homeschooling in New York City, you’re not alone! With nearly 15,000 students choosing home education in New York City, homeschooling has become a popular choice for parents across all five boroughs.

The city is a great place to homeschool, giving parents unique opportunities for field trip destinations, groups and co-ops, resources, and support that only NYC can offer!

Before you begin, it’s important to know that homeschool laws are determined at the state level — while NYC provides many unique opportunities for homeschoolers, the rules are the same throughout the state of New York. As long as you are familiar with the State of New York’s homeschool laws, you can educate your children at home with confidence.

How to Start Homeschooling in NYC

The only difference between homeschooling in NYC and New York State as a whole is that the city provides additional opportunities for enrichment. The laws and regulations governing home education are the same throughout the state.

Before you begin homeschooling, you’ll need to ensure you’re following all the rules and regulations set by the state of New York. You will need to:

Fill out a letter of intent and email it to the NYC Department of Education at [email protected] by July 1. You may also submit the form online.
Submit an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) by August 15.
Select a homeschool curriculum that meets New York State’s subject requirements, as set by the education department.
Keep attendance records that show an equivalent instruction of 180 days a year. Students in K-6th grade must be taught for at least 900 hours, 990 hours for grades 7th-12th.
Provide a standardized test for your child every other year, beginning in 4th grade, and annually beginning in 9th grade.
Submit quarterly reports and annual assessments.

You can explore more in-depth information about homeschool laws in New York State by visiting our Homeschooling by State page, or checking with the New York State Department of Education’s Home Instruction page.

NYC Homeschooling Resources

One of the unique benefits of homeschooling in the Big Apple is the vast opportunities to enhance your child’s education and interests. From world-renowned museums, scenic parks, and educational zoos to historical sites and more, the possibilities are endless!

Many of these sites even offer fun classes and special events for kids!

The Intrepid offers a program for homeschool students in PreK-12th.

Across the river in Jersey City, the Liberty Science Center offers half-day workshops for homeschooled students and co-ops.

For parents of budding history buffs, the New York Historical Society offers classes for homeschoolers ages 5-14 and a virtual program for students ages 10-14.

Plus, there are a ton of afterschool programs in the city that cater to any interest your child may have — whether it’s playing tennis, learning Mandarin, painting, and more!

Another great benefit of homeschooling in NYC is the ability to connect with so many other homeschool families close by. Not only does this provide much-needed socialization for your child, but other homeschool parents can also serve as valuable sources of advice and support.

There are so many homeschool programs in NYC! From homeschool groups, co-ops, and classes, there are plenty of organizations to choose from. These organizations can provide field trip opportunities, group classes, learning materials, support, and other educational resources. To learn more about making the most of homeschooling in the city, visit the Home School NYC website!

Homeschooling in NYC with Miacademy

At Miacademy, we offer a well-rounded education for homeschoolers everywhere! With Miacademy for K-8th and MiaPrep for high school students in 9th-12th, our accredited homeschool curriculum has something for every student.

In addition, our goal is to make home education easy for our families in New York! Here are just a few of the ways that Mia can make your homeschool experience a breeze:

Full scope & sequences available for all grades and subjects to meet IHIP requirements
Accredited, high-quality core subject curricula, plus electives for all grade levels
Accessible, inclusive, and scaffolded content to meet the needs of all types of learners
Self-paced and fully customizable to create unique and tailored learning experiences
Comprehensive grade and activity reports to make record keeping simple
Safe social opportunities for students in our actively moderated online Community
All-in-one, inclusive subscriptions with opportunities for multi-child discounts
Responsive and friendly customer service to help you every step of the way

If you have any questions about how Miacademy or MiaPrep can help you on your NYC homeschooling journey, feel free to reach out to our friendly customer service team! They’ll be happy to help you find the answers you need.

FAQ

How do I legally homeschool in NYC?

To homeschool your child in New York City, start by:

Submitting a letter of intent online
Submitting an IHIP by August 15th
Selecting a homeschool curriculum that meets New York State’s subject requirements
Teaching for 180 days each school year, for a minimum of 900 total hours (K-6th) or 990 hours (7th-12th)
Submitting quarterly and annual reports

How many hours do I need to homeschool in New York?

Parents must teach for a minimum of 900 hours for grades K-6th or 990 hours for grades 7th through 12th. In addition, the hourly requirement must be spread over a minimum of 180 days.

Information accurate as of: 05/01/2024. The information provided on this site is intended for research purposes only. Miaplaza is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outdated information, or for the results yielded through use of this information.