Families need to notify their intent to homeschool only one time per child and within five business days if you are starting during the traditional school year or before the beginning of your local public-school’s start in the fall. Advance notice or waiting to receive the acknowledgement letter to begin is not necessary; families may begin a home education immediately and at any time in the year. The letter must be filed with the local School Administrative Unit (SAU) district office, a private school that offers the service (see our list of Participating Agencies), or the state Department of Education. This is called the Participating Agency.

The notification letter must contain the following information as specified in RSA 193-A:5 II for each child who is beginning a home education program:

• the children’s names
• addresses
• birth dates
• parent(s)’ name(s)
• date the home ed program will begin
• signature of the parent(s)

To file notification, families may…

a) write their own letter with the above information,

b) use the form created by the NH Department of Education, or

c) use the letter created by GSHE.

Beginning a home ed program may be a two-step process if your child is currently enrolled in a public or private school.  If so, you must follow the school’s policies and procedures for formally withdrawing; they may have a required form or process for removing your child.