Homeschooling in New Hampshire: Requirements, Costs, and How to Start
New Hampshire requires notification, portfolio review for homeschool families.
Last reviewed by the HomeschoolOS Compliance Team
Always verify with New Hampshire's Department of Education before filing or submitting compliance documents — laws change, and edge cases can apply.
Key Takeaways
- Compulsory school attendance in New Hampshire applies to children ages 6 through 18.
- New Hampshire requires homeschool families to file a notice of intent or similar notification with the state or local district.
- New Hampshire requires homeschool families to maintain and present a portfolio of student work.
- New Hampshire mandates instruction in 9 core subject areas.
- New Hampshire offers the Education Freedom Account (EFA) (~$5,000 per student per year) for eligible homeschool families.
New Hampshire offers homeschool families three "participating agencies" that handle compliance on their behalf — the Department of Education, a private school, or an approved nonpublic school. File a notice with your chosen agency within five days of starting. Maintain a portfolio of student work for at least two years. An annual evaluation is required (standardized test, certified teacher review, portfolio review, or other agreed assessment), but results stay with you and are not submitted to any state actor. Required subjects include science, math, language, government, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, U.S. and New Hampshire constitutional history, and an exposure to art and music appreciation. Compulsory attendance covers ages 6–18. New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account program funds approved educational expenses (~$5,000 per student per year) for income-eligible families. The participating-agency system gives families real choice in how their compliance is administered, and most families pick a private participating agency rather than the state, which streamlines the relationship.
At a Glance
Compulsory Ages
6–18
Regulation Level
Moderate regulation
Notification
Required
Testing
Varies — see official source
Portfolio
Required
Is homeschooling legal in New Hampshire?
Yes — homeschooling is legal in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, including New Hampshire. New Hampshire applies moderate oversight — an annual notice of intent is required, plus a portfolio of student work — but the rules are clearly defined and most families settle into a predictable annual rhythm.
New Hampshire Homeschool Requirements: Detailed Breakdown
Notification Required
Yes — must file with your district or state
Testing Required
Varies — see official source
Portfolio Required
Yes — must maintain and present portfolio
Required Subjects
Details
File notice with participating agency within 5 days of starting. Maintain portfolio for 2 years. Annual evaluation required but results kept by parent, not sent to agency. Can choose from multiple participating agencies.
How much does it cost to homeschool in New Hampshire?
Most New Hampshire homeschool families spend roughly $500 to $2,500 per child per year. The exact figure depends on whether you build your own curriculum from low-cost or free resources (libraries, Khan Academy, open educational materials), use a packaged curriculum, or layer in tutoring, co-ops, and enrichment classes. Standardized testing fees, when required, typically run $30–$50 per test.
Education Freedom Account (EFA)
New Hampshire's EFA program reimburses approved educational expenses for income-eligible families, including those educating at home.
Approximate award: ~$5,000 per student per year. Verify current eligibility
Can homeschool students play public school sports in New Hampshire?
Public school sports access for homeschool students varies by district in New Hampshire, and the rules are typically set by the state high school athletic association rather than the legislature. Many districts allow participation under state equal-access laws or athletic association rules; others have restrictions tied to part-time enrollment or residency.
Contact your local school district's athletic director directly to confirm what your child can participate in this year, and consult HSLDA's New Hampshire page for the current statewide picture.
Homeschooling high school in New Hampshire: transcripts, diplomas, and college
In New Hampshire, homeschool families are responsible for issuing their own high school diploma and maintaining their own transcript. Colleges across the country routinely admit homeschool graduates — many state universities have published homeschool admission policies, and selective private colleges increasingly recruit homeschoolers actively.
Most New Hampshire homeschool teens strengthen their college applications by taking the SAT or ACT, completing dual-enrollment courses at a local community college, building a portfolio of meaningful projects, and securing strong recommendations from adult mentors outside the family. HomeschoolOS includes a transcript and GPA generator that pulls from the lessons, grades, and credit-hour data you log throughout the year.
How do I withdraw my child from public school to homeschool in New Hampshire?
Generate your New Hampshirewithdrawal letter →
Free 90-second wizard. Letter, attendance log, and 30/60/90 checklist as PDFs. No account.
The standard procedure
- Submit a written withdrawal letter to your child's current school principal. Keep a copy and obtain confirmation of receipt.
- File your homeschool notice of intent with New Hampshire's appropriate state or district office, following the state's required cadence and content. This establishes your homeschool legally and ends the public school's compulsory-attendance jurisdiction.
- Begin tracking attendance, lessons, and any required portfolio work from day one — in New Hampshire, your records protect you against any later truancy or state-requirement question.
New Hampshire homeschool community and resources
The most useful New Hampshire homeschool resources for new families are typically a statewide convention or association, a local co-op for weekly community, and HSLDA for legal questions.
- Christian Home Educators of New Hampshire (CHENH) — Statewide network and resource hub for New Hampshire families. Visit site
- HSLDA — New Hampshire — Legal-defense membership and current statutory analysis. Visit page
- Local co-ops and Facebook groups— Search “[your city] New Hampshirehomeschool” on Facebook to find weekly co-ops, park days, and field-trip groups that match your child's age and your educational philosophy.
How Homeschool OS tracks New Hampshire's requirements
Subject Mapping
Every curriculum and lesson is tagged with its subject for coverage tracking.
Portfolio Generator
Add work samples as you go, then generate a complete portfolio with one click.
Filing Reminders
Get notified before notification deadlines so paperwork is never late.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start homeschooling in New Hampshire?
To start homeschooling in New Hampshire, you must file a notice of intent with your local school district or state education agency. Compulsory education applies to children ages 6 through 18.
Do I need to notify anyone to homeschool in New Hampshire?
Yes. New Hampshire requires homeschool families to file a notice of intent or similar notification with their local school district or state education agency.
Is testing required for homeschoolers in New Hampshire?
No. New Hampshire does not require standardized testing or assessments for homeschooled students.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire requires instruction in: Citizenship, Fine Arts, Health, History, Language Arts, Math, Reading, Science, Writing.
What ages are covered by compulsory education in New Hampshire?
Children ages 6 through 18 are subject to compulsory education laws in New Hampshire.
Do I need to maintain a portfolio in New Hampshire?
Yes. New Hampshire requires homeschool families to maintain a portfolio of student work for review.
How much does it cost to homeschool in New Hampshire?
Most homeschool families in New Hampshire spend roughly $500 to $2,500 per child per year on curriculum, supplies, testing fees, and enrichment. The exact figure depends on whether you build your own program from low-cost resources or use a packaged curriculum. New Hampshire also offers the Education Freedom Account (EFA) — approximately ~$5,000 per student per year for eligible families to put toward curriculum, tutoring, and approved educational expenses.
Can homeschool students play public school sports in New Hampshire?
Public school sports access for homeschool students varies by district in New Hampshire. Many districts allow participation under state equal-access laws or athletic association rules; others have restrictions. Contact your local district directly, and consult HSLDA's New Hampshire page for the current statewide picture.
Can homeschool students earn a diploma and go to college in New Hampshire?
Yes. Homeschool families in New Hampshire are responsible for issuing their own high school diploma and transcript. Colleges across the country routinely admit homeschool graduates; many New Hampshire families strengthen their applications with SAT or ACT scores, dual-enrollment courses at a local community college, and a portfolio of meaningful projects.
How do I withdraw my child from public school to homeschool in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, withdrawing from public school typically involves submitting a written withdrawal letter to the school principal and filing your homeschool notice of intent with the appropriate state or district office. The notification protects you from truancy concerns and establishes your homeschool legally for the school year.
Official Sources
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This information is for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. Always verify requirements with your state's department of education before relying on this data.