Homeschooling in New Hampshire: Laws & Requirements (2026)

New Hampshire balances homeschool freedom with reasonable oversight. You'll file annual paperwork and complete an evaluation, but the state doesn't dictate curriculum, teaching methods, or daily schedules. The process is straightforward once you understand the requirements.

What sets New Hampshire apart: the Education Freedom Account program. If your family meets income thresholds, you can access up to $4,700 per student annually for curriculum, tutoring, educational technology, and other approved expenses. This makes New Hampshire one of the most financially supportive states for homeschoolers in the country.

This guide covers your notification obligations, evaluation options, how to access EFA funding, and what experienced New Hampshire homeschool families recommend for smooth compliance.

New Hampshire Homeschool Requirements at a Glance

Your Homeschool Options in New Hampshire

New Hampshire recognizes two legal pathways for home education^[2]. The vast majority of families choose independent homeschooling for curriculum freedom and minimal oversight.

Independent Homeschool: Register directly with your local school district superintendent^[1]. You'll file an annual notice, maintain basic records, and complete an evaluation each year. This path gives you complete control over curriculum, schedule, and teaching methods. You're legally responsible for ensuring your child receives instruction in the required subjects, but how you accomplish that is entirely up to you.

Private School Enrollment: Enroll your child in a private school that allows home-based instruction. The school handles registration and may set additional requirements. This option provides institutional support but typically costs more and offers less flexibility than independent homeschooling.

Most New Hampshire homeschoolers choose the independent route. The paperwork is minimal, evaluations are straightforward, and you maintain full educational autonomy.

How to Start Homeschooling in New Hampshire

Testing and Evaluation Requirements

New Hampshire requires an annual evaluation, but you have flexibility in how you demonstrate progress^[3]. The state doesn't set minimum score requirements—the evaluation simply documents that education is occurring^[2].

Portfolio Review: Compile samples of your child's work across subjects, organized chronologically. A certified teacher, principal, or other qualified educator reviews the portfolio and provides a written evaluation^[3]. This method works well for families who prefer project-based learning or want to avoid standardized testing.

Standardized Testing: Administer a nationally normed achievement test (like the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, Stanford Achievement Test, or similar)^[3]. You can test at home or through a testing service. Results must show progress commensurate with age and ability—there's no specific percentile requirement.

Professional Assessment: Have a certified teacher or other qualified professional evaluate your child's progress through observation, review of work samples, and discussion^[3]. The assessor provides a written report confirming adequate progress.

Many New Hampshire families use portfolios for elementary years and switch to standardized tests in middle or high school, especially if college-bound students need test scores for applications.

Record-Keeping Requirements

New Hampshire law doesn't specify detailed record-keeping requirements, but maintaining documentation protects you and helps demonstrate compliance if questions arise.

At minimum, keep your annual notices, evaluation results, and basic attendance records. Many families also maintain portfolios with work samples, curriculum descriptions, and notes about educational activities. These records become especially valuable if you move to a stricter state, transfer to public school, or need documentation for college applications.

There's no required format—a simple binder, digital folder, or homeschool planner works fine. The key is consistency: document regularly rather than trying to reconstruct a year's worth of records later.

Essential Records to Maintain

High School, Graduation & Beyond

In New Hampshire, homeschool parents issue their own diplomas. There's no state-recognized homeschool diploma—you create and award it yourself. This is standard across most states and doesn't disadvantage your student.

For college applications, focus on creating a comprehensive transcript that documents courses, grades, and credits. New Hampshire colleges, including the University of New Hampshire and Dartmouth, actively recruit homeschoolers and have straightforward admission processes.

Consider dual enrollment at local community colleges during junior and senior year. New Hampshire's community colleges welcome homeschoolers, and credits transfer to state universities. Many homeschool students graduate high school with significant college credit already completed.

Sports and Extracurricular Access

New Hampshire allows homeschoolers to participate in public school athletics and activities. Your student must live in the school district and meet the same eligibility requirements as enrolled students, including academic standards and age requirements.

Contact your local school district's athletic director early if you're interested in sports participation. Some districts have specific procedures for homeschool student enrollment in activities. Many homeschool families also participate in homeschool-specific sports leagues, co-ops, and activities throughout the state.

Financial Assistance

New Hampshire's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program provides up to $4,700 annually per eligible student for homeschool expenses^[4]. This is one of the most generous homeschool funding programs in the country.

Eligibility is based on household income (up to 300% of federal poverty level) and other factors^[4]. Approved expenses include curriculum, tutoring, educational technology, online courses, and other educational materials. The program is administered by the Children's Scholarship Fund New Hampshire^[4].

For complete details on eligibility, application deadlines, approved expenses, and how to apply, see our New Hampshire Homeschool Funding Guide.

The Bottom Line

Homeschooling in New Hampshire is more manageable than many parents expect. File your annual notice, complete an evaluation, and maintain basic records. That's the compliance foundation.

Everything else—curriculum choices, daily schedules, teaching approaches—is your decision. New Hampshire gives homeschool families genuine freedom within a reasonable oversight framework.

The Education Freedom Account program makes New Hampshire particularly attractive for families who qualify. If you're considering homeschooling here, explore EFA eligibility early—the financial support can significantly offset curriculum and educational expenses.

Your first step: submit that annual notice to your superintendent. You can refine your approach as you learn what works for your family.