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New Jersey homeschool law

Notice, days or hours, subjects, testing and records, in plain words, with the source for each.

This is general information, not legal advice; check your state's own page. Laws change, and New Jersey's own statute and education department are the final word. The links below go straight to them.

Checked on against the sources linked on this page.

What to file in New Jersey

File
Nothing in general. Two cases need a word to the local board: a refused enrollment, and leaving a high school program. §
To
Local board of education, in those two cases. §
By
No date. §
Keep
No records named in state guidance. §
Test
None. A child taught elsewhere is not required to take a state or district test. §
Starting this year
  • Before you start: The Department of Education encourages you to tell the local board of education that you will educate your child elsewhere than at school.
Leaving a school mid-year

The state says the mere fact that a child has been withdrawn to be homeschooled is not, in itself, credible evidence of a legal violation. Removing a student from a high school program requires completing a transfer form that includes the intent to provide instruction elsewhere than at school.

Open your attendance recordStart the Tap Clock, if you want to

Checked . § = source: NJ Department of Education: Frequently Asked Questions, Homeschooling. Information, not legal advice.

Quick answers

Notice
Notice is optionalThere is no general notice requirement for homeschooling. The state says a parent must tell the local board in two cases: when the district refuses to enroll a student the parent tried to register (a statement of where the child will be taught), and when removing an enrolled student from a high school program (a transfer form). In other cases the state encourages, but does not require, telling the local board of education. Checked October 27, 2026. Source: NJ Department of Education: Frequently Asked Questions, Homeschooling
Days or hours
No number givenState guidance names no number of days or hours. The standard is instruction equivalent to the public schools; the state says courts have required parents to show only that instruction was academically equivalent to the local public school. Checked October 27, 2026. Source: NJ Department of Education: Frequently Asked Questions, Homeschooling
Subjects
State guidance names no required subjects. The law does not authorize the local board to review and approve the curriculum or program of a child educated elsewhere than at school. Parents are responsible for the educational outcomes. Checked October 27, 2026. Source: NJ Department of Education: Frequently Asked Questions, Homeschooling
Testing or evaluation
No testing requiredThe local board is not required or authorized to test a child educated elsewhere than at school. A child educated elsewhere than at school is not required to sit for a state or district standardized test. Checked October 27, 2026. Source: NJ Department of Education: Frequently Asked Questions, Homeschooling
Records
State guidance names no records a parent must keep. A board of education is not required to establish a record for a child educated elsewhere than at school, and if it gets information from a parent it may keep a record only to document that the child is receiving an education as required by law. Checked October 27, 2026. Source: NJ Department of Education: Frequently Asked Questions, Homeschooling
Who must attend school
New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25) covers children between six and 16. It lets a family meet the rule by public school, a day school, or equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school, which the state says includes the home. Source: NJ Department of Education: Frequently Asked Questions, Homeschooling
Education savings accounts and vouchers
No program foundWe did not find a New Jersey state education savings account or voucher open to homeschool families. The Department of Education's school-choice page describes the Interdistrict Public School Choice Program, which places students in public school districts, not home instruction. Check the department's site for anything new (checked 2026-10-27). Source: NJ Department of Education: Interdistrict Public School Choice

What to do first

  1. Read New Jersey's own pages, linked under each row below, so you know what applies to your situation.
  2. Notice: it is optional. Read the notice row below before you decide.
  3. If your child is in school now: The state says the mere fact that a child has been withdrawn to be homeschooled is not, in itself, credible evidence of a legal violation. Removing a student from a high school program requires completing a transfer form that includes the intent to provide instruction elsewhere than at school.
  4. Plan the year around the days or hours and the subjects below.
  5. Start your records on day one: a simple attendance log, a list of books read and a work sample or two for each subject.

Records to keep

State guidance names no records a parent must keep. A board of education is not required to establish a record for a child educated elsewhere than at school, and if it gets information from a parent it may keep a record only to document that the child is receiving an education as required by law. Whatever the law asks, many families also keep a simple attendance log, a list of books read and a few work samples for each subject; they cost nothing and help if you move or return to school.

Good to know

  • Who may teach: a parent or other person teaching a child elsewhere than at school is not required by law to be certified as a teacher in New Jersey.
  • Public-school activities: the local board is not required by law to allow a child educated elsewhere than at school to take part in regular classes, extracurricular activities or sports. This is at the board's discretion.
  • Diploma: a child educated elsewhere than at school does not receive a state-endorsed high school diploma from the board of education. The state lists ways to get a New Jersey State High School Diploma, such as passing the GED test.
  • Special education: a public school district must review a written request for a special education evaluation, including for children educated at home.
  • Returning to school: the board places a child like any other new or returning child, and may not hold the child to a higher standard than similar students in the district.
  • The state's guidance says it is general guidance and does not constitute legal advice or state directives.

Where this comes from

Checked on October 27, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice; check your state's own page, and confirm with your school district or the department before you rely on a date. Something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.