Homeschooling in New Hampshire: A parent’s guide

What if you could design an education that grows with your child's curiosity, adapts to their learning style, and celebrates their unique interests? In New Hampshire, that's exactly what homeschooling offers. With minimal oversight requirements and maximum flexibility in curriculum choices, homeschooling in New Hampshire puts you in the driver's seat of your child's educational journey.

Whether you're new to homeschooling or considering a change, this guide walks you through everything you need to know to start confidently in the Granite State. Along the way, you can complement your approach with Outschool’s live, interactive classes, perfect for diving deeper into core subjects or exploring new topics together.

Homeschooling options in New Hampshire

New Hampshire makes homeschooling simple by offering just one clear pathway for families who want to educate their children at home. Unlike states with multiple complicated options or varying requirements, New Hampshire homeschool laws provide a single, well-defined route that gives you the freedom to create the educational experience your child needs.

Requirements for homeschooling in New Hampshire

Once you’ve decided to homeschool in New Hampshire, there are a few important requirements you need to keep in mind to stay on track with state laws. Here’s a clear look at what you’ll need to file, teach, and keep on record throughout the year.

Paperwork

In New Hampshire, you can begin homeschooling your child between the ages of 6 and 18. To start, you'll need to file a notice of intent with a participating agency within five business days of starting your home education program. This agency can be your local school superintendent, the principal of a participating nonpublic school, or the New Hampshire Department of Education.

This notice only needs to be filed once, unless you move to a new district and switch agencies. If your child is currently enrolled in public school, you’ll also need to let the school know you're withdrawing.

Attendance and instruction

New Hampshire doesn’t dictate your daily schedule or how many hours you need to teach. You have the freedom to shape instruction around your child’s needs. However, you’re expected to include core subjects like reading, math, science, writing, health, history, and government, with added exposure to the arts.

Curriculum

You're free to choose the curriculum that suits your child’s learning style and interests. There’s no list of approved programs to follow, which means you can mix and match resources to build a meaningful and flexible educational experience.

Recordkeeping

Parents are required to maintain a portfolio for each child that includes a reading log and samples of work (think worksheets, writing, or creative projects). These records help show progress and must be kept for at least two years. They’re also helpful if your child transitions into public school or applies for higher education.

Testing and assessments

Each year, you’ll need to evaluate your child’s academic progress. You have a few options: a review from a certified teacher, results from a standardized test, or another agreed-upon method. The results stay with you and aren’t submitted to the state, though they can be used if your child wants to participate in public school programs.

Homeschool with Outschool

Outschool is a great way to enrich your New Hampshire homeschool journey with engaging, flexible learning options. Our live online classes give you the freedom to personalize your child’s education while exploring meaningful, interest-driven topics.

• Join live, small-group classes in subjects like reading, math, science, and the arts, led by passionate teachers who know how to make learning engaging and fun.
• Build a schedule that fits your life with classes offered throughout the day, plus self-paced options to match your child’s rhythm and learning style.
• Explore thousands of courses that go beyond the basics, including creative enrichment, social development, hands-on learning, and unique interests.
• Connect with educators who support all kinds of learners, including neurodiverse children, gifted students, and families taking a nontraditional approach to education.
• Add variety to your homeschool plan by mixing in fresh, innovative courses that spark curiosity and deepen understanding across a wide range of topics.

With flexible scheduling and an ever-expanding catalog of engaging subjects, Outschool gives you the tools to create a homeschool experience that’s just right for your child.

How to get started

Starting a homeschool program in New Hampshire is more straightforward than you might expect. With just a few simple steps, you can create a learning path that reflects your child’s unique strengths and pace while staying organized and confident along the way. Here's how to begin:

• Submit your initial notification to a participating agency within five business days of beginning your homeschool program. This one-time notice must include your child’s name, birth date, and address.
• Let your child’s school know you’re withdrawing if they’re currently enrolled in public school. This step ensures a smooth transition and avoids confusion around attendance.
• Build your curriculum around the required subjects. How you teach these is up to you, maybe through books, online platforms, hands-on learning, or a mix of everything.
• Maintain a portfolio of progress with a reading list and samples of your child’s work. Keeping this for at least two years helps track growth and provides materials for your annual evaluation.
• Complete a yearly assessment. You can choose from a certified teacher’s review, a national standardized test, the district’s own assessment, or another method agreed upon with your participating agency. These results stay with you and are not submitted unless needed.
• Report graduation if it happens before age 18, so your child is officially exempt from compulsory education. A simple letter or certificate sent to the Department of Education will do the trick.

Find support through homeschool communities in New Hampshire

Building connections with other homeschooling families can transform your educational journey into a rich, collaborative experience. New Hampshire's vibrant homeschool community includes over 5,000 homeschooled children, creating a strong network where you can find guidance, friendship, and shared resources.

Statewide organizations

• New Hampshire Homeschooling Coalition (NHHC) – Provides legal updates, advocacy, and statewide networking opportunities since 1989, serving as the primary voice for homeschool rights.
• Granite State Home Educators (GSHE) – Empowers parents through community-building events, educational resources, and specialized guidance for navigating home education in New Hampshire.
• WeAre Home Educators (WHE) – Hosts hands-on field trips, social gatherings, and collaborative learning opportunities for families across central and southern New Hampshire.

Local groups and co-ops

• Concord, NH Area Homeschoolers – A community space for local families to plan meetups, share field trip ideas, and swap resources in and around Concord.
• Homeschooling Families of Seacoast – A welcoming, inclusive group for families in the Seacoast area (including nearby Maine and Massachusetts) focused on connection, diversity, and child-led learning at home.
• Sullivan & Windsor County Homeschoolers – A laid-back group for New Hampshire and Vermont families offering weekly meetups, casual hangouts, and a chance for both kids and parents to build friendships and explore learning together.

You can find more local groups and co-ops through the New Hampshire Homeschooling Coalition's support groups directory, which connects families with options throughout the state.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Starting your homeschool journey can bring up many questions about legal requirements, daily routines, and long-term planning. These are a few of the most common answers to help you move forward confidently.

What paperwork do I need to start homeschooling in New Hampshire?

You only need to file a one-time notice of intent with your local school district, to the principal of a participating non-public school, or the New Hampshire Department of Education. This notice should include your child's name, address, and date of birth, and must be submitted within five days of starting your homeschool program.

Do I have to follow a specific curriculum or set hours to homeschool in New Hampshire?

No. However, you do need to provide instruction in required subjects, including reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, and history, but there are no mandated hours or daily attendance logs. This flexibility lets you create a schedule and learning environment that works best for your family's needs and your child's learning style.

How do I meet annual assessment requirements for homeschooling in New Hampshire?

You'll need to conduct an annual academic evaluation using one of several approved methods. You can choose standardized testing, a portfolio review by a qualified educator, or a written narrative assessment that you prepare yourself. 

Can New Hampshire homeschoolers participate in public school sports or extracurriculars?

Yes, New Hampshire homeschoolers can access sports, extracurricular activities, and some academic programs at their local public schools. Contact your local school district directly to learn about their specific policies and enrollment procedures for homeschooled students. 

Many districts welcome homeschool participation, though requirements and availability can vary by school and activity.

What records should I keep, and for how long?

Maintain a portfolio of your child's work samples and a reading log each year, along with documentation of your annual assessments. Keep these records for at least two years after completion, though many families choose to save them longer for college applications or future reference.

Flexible learning starts here

New Hampshire's welcoming homeschool laws create the perfect foundation for building an education that truly fits your family. With straightforward requirements, no teaching credentials needed, and the freedom to choose your own curriculum and methods, you have everything you need to craft a learning experience as unique as your child.

To support this flexible approach, Outschool offers live, interactive classes that can spark your child's natural curiosity. From core academics to creative enrichment, these small-group sessions provide the flexibility and personalization that make homeschooling so powerful.