State Requirements
Homeschooling in New York
New York has moderate homeschool requirements. Families must log at least 900 hours of instruction per year, and you'll file notice with your local school district.
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If you're homeschooling in New York, you're working inside a moderately regulated framework with enough structure to keep the state informed but plenty of room to build a family-shaped program. Compulsory attendance in New York covers children ages 6-16, which means a homeschool program needs to be in place for any child in that range.
A New York homeschool year is defined by a single headline number: 900 hours of instruction. Whether those hours happen at the kitchen table, in a co-op, on a nature walk, or through a structured curriculum is entirely up to the family.
Notice filing is the gateway for New York homeschool families: a short document submitted to your local school district sets the record straight for the year ahead. Most districts accept a straightforward letter listing each student, their grade level, and a brief statement of intent.
Assessment in New York takes the form of parent's choice (testing, portfolio, or evaluation) annually. It's more of a pulse-check on how learning is landing than a pass/fail exam.
The required subjects in New York (math, science, english, social studies, health, music, visual arts, physical education, and library skills) form the backbone of each year's plan, with real freedom in how deeply or creatively each is taught. Tracking New York compliance doesn't have to mean spreadsheets and reminder alarms. Homeschool Fox turns everyday logs into the year-end reports evaluators and districts expect.
At a glance
900 hours/year
Instruction time
Ages 6-16
Compulsory attendance
Notice requirements
Notice is required
You must notify your local school district of your intent to homeschool.
Need a head start? Use the free Notice of Intent generator to draft a New York-ready letter.
Deeper guides: how to write a notice of intent to homeschool covers the language admins look for, and when and where to file your notice of intent covers state-by-state deadlines and recipients.
Generate your notice of intentWithdrawing from public school
To withdraw your child from public school in New York, send a written withdrawal letter to the principal or registrar, then file a notice of intent with your local school district so the transition is on record before instruction begins. Rather than hand-writing the withdrawal letter, Homeschool Fox produces a pre-formatted PDF ready to send to the district.
For the play-by-play, how to withdraw your child from public school walks through the conversation, the timing, and the paperwork. What to send the district when you pull your child covers exactly what the letter should and shouldn't say.
Assessment requirements
Assessment is required
- Type:
- Parent's choice (testing, portfolio, or evaluation)
- Frequency:
- Annually
Standardized testing for homeschoolers walks through which test to choose, where to register, and how to prep.
Portfolio & records
Portfolio not required
Under 8 NYCRR 100.10, families file an Individualized Home Instruction Plan at the start of the year and four quarterly reports covering hours, subjects, materials, and a grade or narrative. Keep a portfolio of work for any evaluator review under the narrative assessment option.
Required subjects
New York requires instruction in the following subjects.
Tax credits & deductions
New York does not have a homeschool-specific tax credit or deduction — but New York families using the state's 529 plan need to understand a recapture rule that catches many homeschoolers off guard. New York does NOT conform to the federal 529 K-12 expansion. If you withdraw New York 529 funds for K-12 expenses, the state recaptures the New York income tax deduction you took on those contributions in prior years.
The practical impact: federal-level 529 K-12 use can still be tax-free, but the New York-side benefit you accumulated while saving (the $5,000 single / $10,000 married New York deduction per year) gets clawed back at withdrawal time. Run the numbers with a CPA before pulling 529 money for homeschool curriculum, supplemental classes, or other K-12 use. Saving for college only? No issue. Using the 529 as a homeschool sinking fund? Likely not the right vehicle in New York. Note: this affects 529 K-12 withdrawals specifically; 529 college withdrawals remain tax-free under New York rules.
Deeper guides: homeschool tax credits and deductions by state for 2026 covers every state with a credit, and are homeschool expenses tax-deductible — an honest breakdown covers the boundaries on what counts and which gimmicks to avoid.
Tax laws change. Check your New York Department of Revenue page (or talk to a CPA) before filing — the figures above reflect our last verified review (May 2026).
Additional notes
900 hours for grades 1-6, 990 for 7-12. IHIP and quarterly reports required. Annual assessment.
Calculate your New York hours
New York requires 900 hours/year. Enter how far you've come and we'll show you the daily pace to finish on time.
Leave at 0 if you haven't started tracking yet
Enter an end date to see your targets
Target
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hours per day
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hours per week
Prefer a full-page version? Open the standalone hours calculator.
Sources
Verified May 2026
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to notify anyone to homeschool in New York?
How many hours do I need to homeschool in New York?
Does New York require testing for homeschoolers?
Do I need to keep a portfolio in New York?
What subjects must I teach in New York?
Nearby states
View all statesWant the cross-state comparison? Homeschool laws by state covers the legal regime in every state side by side.
What we track
Track your 900 New York hours automatically
Log activities by voice or text and Homeschool Fox rolls them up against New York's requirements automatically. Free for 14 days.
- Hours toward 900-hour goal
- Attendance days logged
- Subject coverage (core & non-core)
- Activity log (text, voice, AI-parsed)
- Portfolios & PDF year-end reports
- Transcripts with GPA & credits
- Test scores & evaluations
- Notice of intent & withdrawal letters
14-day free trial. No credit card required.