Massachusetts vs New Hampshire: Homeschool Laws Compared

Massachusetts is the more regulated of the two: it requires notice and a periodic assessment, while New Hampshire requires no notice to homeschool. They differ on 6 of the 9 rules compared: notice of intent, required subjects, testing or evaluation, compulsory school ages, ESA funding, and public school sports access.

Rules compared

9

Differences

6

Same in both

3

The rules, side by side

Rows where the two states differ are marked. Tap a state name for its full guide, deadlines, and sources.

Figures are the same verified compliance data shown on each state's page. Requirements change; confirm with your state before you rely on one.

Moving from Massachusetts to New Hampshire

Once you are a New Hampshire resident you homeschool under New Hampshire's rules. These are the ones that change.

1. There is no notice to file in New Hampshire. Before you leave, send Massachusetts's district a short withdrawal note so its attendance record closes.
2. New Hampshire names no required subjects. Massachusetts's list is still a sensible course plan; it stops being a legal one.
3. New Hampshire requires no testing or evaluation. Keep Massachusetts's past results with your records; colleges may still ask for them.
4. Compulsory school ages are 6-18 in New Hampshire against 6-16 in Massachusetts, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
5. New Hampshire runs Education Freedom Account (EFA). Check whether your family qualifies; Massachusetts had no comparable program.
6. Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In New Hampshire the answer is yes; in Massachusetts it was district decides.

Moving from New Hampshire to Massachusetts

Once you are a Massachusetts resident you homeschool under Massachusetts's rules. These are the ones that change.

1. File a notice of intent with the local school district once you are a Massachusetts resident. New Hampshire did not ask for one, so this is new paperwork.
2. Massachusetts names 11 required subjects (reading, writing, english grammar, geography, arithmetic, drawing, music, united states history, citizenship, health, physical education). Tag activities to them so a gap shows before the year ends.
3. Massachusetts requires parent's choice (testing, portfolio, or evaluation), annually. New Hampshire had no assessment rule, so plan for it in your first year.
4. Compulsory school ages are 6-16 in Massachusetts against 6-18 in New Hampshire, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
5. Massachusetts has no ESA program. New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) is for New Hampshire residents, so budget without it.
6. Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Massachusetts the answer is district decides; in New Hampshire it was yes.

What stays the same

Massachusetts and New Hampshire match on hours or days per year, the portfolio, and progress reports. Your habits on those carry over unchanged.

Do your records transfer?

Neither Massachusetts nor New Hampshire takes homeschool records from another state, and there is no transfer process between them. You keep your own: the hours or attendance log, work samples, and any grades or transcripts. Those are what the new state, and later a college, may ask to see. Homeschool Fox keeps them in one account that moves with your family.

Keep comparing

• Connecticut vs Massachusetts 4 rules differ
• Florida vs Massachusetts 4 rules differ
• Maine vs New Hampshire 7 rules differ
• Massachusetts vs New York 4 rules differ
• Massachusetts vs Rhode Island 4 rules differ
• Massachusetts vs Vermont 4 rules differ
• New Hampshire vs Vermont 7 rules differ
• States That Require a Homeschool Notice of Intent All 36 states in one table
• Required Homeschool Subjects by State All 34 states in one table
• States That Require Homeschool Testing or Evaluation All 19 states in one table