Homeschooling in New Hampshire

New Hampshire's Home Education Law (RSA 193-A) is unique in offering THREE choices for the 'participating agency' that receives your notification — you can choose your local superintendent, the Commissioner of Education, or a participating nonpublic school. Many New Hampshire families choose a nonpublic school as their participating agency to minimize district interaction. New Hampshire also offers the Education Freedom Account (EFA), one of the most generous homeschool funding programs in the country (up to ~$4,700 per student annually). MAJOR 2026 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: HB 1268 (the 'Home Education Freedom Act') is currently moving through the legislature and would eliminate the notification, portfolio, and annual evaluation requirements entirely — transforming New Hampshire to a no-notice state. Families should monitor this legislation.

Legal framework at a glance

Legal options: Two pathways — Home Education under RSA 193-A (most common) or Education Freedom Account (EFA) program.

Notification: Submit a written Notice of Intent to a 'participating agency' within 5 BUSINESS DAYS of beginning home education. Choose your participating agency: (a) your resident district superintendent, (b) the Commissioner of Education, OR (c) the principal of a participating nonpublic school..

Instructional time: No specific minimum days or hours required by statute.

Required subjects: Required subjects under RSA 193-A: science, mathematics, language, government, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, the history of the constitutions of New Hampshire and the United States, and an exposure to and appreciation of art and music..

Testing and evaluation: Annual evaluation required. PARENTS KEEP THE RESULTS — do NOT submit them to the participating agency. Multiple evaluation methods accepted..

What New Hampshire families need to know

**NOTICE OF INTENT** (RSA 193-A:5): file a written notice with your chosen 'participating agency' within 5 BUSINESS DAYS of commencing a home education program. NH is unique in giving families three choices for participating agency: (1) your resident district superintendent; (2) the NH Commissioner of Education; or (3) the principal of a participating nonpublic school.

Notice contents (RSA 193-A:5, II): names, addresses, and dates of birth for all children of compulsory attendance age (6 by September 30 of the current school year, up to age 18) to be home educated. ONLY this information may be required — participating agencies cannot demand additional information.

Choice of participating agency strategy: many NH homeschool families choose a participating nonpublic school as their agency to minimize district contact. HSLDA and the NH Homeschooling Coalition recommend this approach. Some private schools serve as participating agencies for a small fee. The Commissioner of Education option is also available but less commonly used.

Acknowledgment: within 14 days of receipt, the participating agency must provide written acknowledgment. This acknowledgment cannot limit the timeframe of your home education program. Keep the acknowledgment letter as proof of notification and to qualify for homeschool discounts/programs.

Required subjects (RSA 193-A:4): science, mathematics, language, government, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, the history of the constitutions of NH and the U.S., and an exposure to and appreciation of art and music. No specific curriculum mandated.

**Portfolio requirement** (RSA 193-A:6, I): the parent must maintain a portfolio of records and materials including (a) a log designating by title the reading materials used, and (b) samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the child. Retain for 2 years.

**Annual evaluation** (RSA 193-A:6, II): required to demonstrate progress commensurate with the child's age, ability, and/or disability. PARENTS KEEP THE RESULTS — do NOT submit to the participating agency. Acceptable methods: (a) certified teacher evaluation, (b) standardized testing (composite at or above 40th percentile not required — just shows progress), (c) portfolio review, (d) other agreed-upon method.

Per RSA 193-A:6, III: 'The results of the evaluation may be used to demonstrate a child's academic proficiency in order to participate in public school programs but shall not be used as a basis for terminating a home education program.'

Withdrawal from public school: notify your resident district superintendent of withdrawal on or before the date the home education program begins.

Moving school districts: if you previously notified the resident district superintendent, you must notify the original superintendent that the child has moved out, AND submit a new Notice of Intent to a participating agency in your new district. If you previously notified the Commissioner or a nonpublic school, simply update your contact information — no new notification needed.

**HB 1268 of 2026 ('Home Education Freedom Act')**: currently moving through the New Hampshire legislature. If passed, would eliminate the notification requirement, the portfolio requirement, and the end-of-year evaluation requirement — transforming NH to effectively a no-notice state. Notification would only be required when accessing public school programs OR withdrawing from public school. The bill has NOT yet become law as of April 2026 — monitor through NH Homeschooling Coalition and HSLDA.

**EDUCATION FREEDOM ACCOUNT (EFA)** (RSA 194-F): provides up to ~$4,700 annually per eligible student for educational expenses. Eligibility: New Hampshire residency, household income up to 350% of federal poverty level. Approved expenses include curriculum, tutoring, educational technology, online courses, private school tuition, and other educational expenses. NOTE: EFA participants are NOT classified as Home Education students under RSA 193-A — if you currently homeschool and want to switch to EFA, you must first terminate your home education program per Ed 315.06 and RSA 193-A:5(III).

Education Tax Credit (ETC) Scholarships: managed by the New Hampshire Children's Scholarship Fund. Available to home education families (RSA 193-A) with household income up to 300% of federal poverty level.

Sports access: New Hampshire allows homeschool students to participate in public school athletics and activities. Student must live in the school district and meet the same eligibility requirements as enrolled students. Contact your local district's athletic director early.

Compulsory attendance: ages 6 (by September 30) through 18.

Always verify current requirements with the New Hampshire Department of Education before filing any official paperwork. State rules can change.

Diploma recognition

New Hampshire homeschool parents issue their own diplomas. The Commissioner of Education will accept a 'Notification of Completion of a Home Education Program' from parents certifying their child has completed the program at the high school level — this provides state acknowledgment of completion. New Hampshire public colleges (UNH, Plymouth State, Keene State, Granite State College) accept homeschool transcripts. Strong SAT/ACT scores significantly strengthen applications. Document courses thoroughly with credit hours, grades, and detailed course descriptions.

Getting started in New Hampshire

If you are new to homeschooling in New Hampshire, here is the practical sequence to follow:

1. Read the statute. Visit the New Hampshire Department of Education website and read the current homeschool regulations in full. The summary on this page is a starting point, but the official statute is the final authority.
2. Choose your legal pathway. New Hampshire offers specific options described above. Choose the one that fits your family before you file anything.
3. Prepare your notification. Gather the information required for your notice or registration — child's name, date of birth, address, subjects, curriculum plans, and anything else your chosen pathway requires.
4. File before withdrawing. If your child is currently in public school, file your homeschool notification before you send the withdrawal letter to the school. See our withdrawal guide for the full process.
5. Set up your record-keeping system. Even in low-regulation states, keep attendance records, a list of curriculum used, and samples of your child's work. See our record-keeping guide for what to save and how.
6. Connect with a local homeschool organization. New Hampshire has active statewide homeschool organizations (listed below) and usually several local co-ops in each region. These are your best source of current, practical information.

New Hampshire homeschool organizations

The following organizations provide advocacy, support, and current information for New Hampshire homeschool families:

• New Hampshire Homeschooling Coalition (NHHC) — Largest inclusive statewide homeschool organization with detailed legal guidance — nhhomeschooling.org
• Christian Home Educators of NH (CHENH) — Statewide Christian organization
• Granite State Home Educators — Inclusive statewide network
• HSLDA New Hampshire — Legal defense and member support

Local homeschool co-ops often meet in libraries, churches, and community centers throughout the state. A search for "New Hampshire homeschool co-op [your city]" typically surfaces groups meeting near you. The statewide organizations listed above maintain co-op directories.

Beyond the legal requirements

Meeting New Hampshire's legal requirements is only the foundation. The day-to-day work of homeschooling — choosing a curriculum, teaching multiple children at different levels, building a transcript — is the larger task. Once your legal compliance is in order, explore the rest of this site:

Homeschool360 • New Hampshire State Guide