Education Pathways
The following information is provided as a courtesy to families in New Hampshire and is not intended as legal advice. The New Hampshire Homeschooling Coalition strongly urges all parents and legal guardians to read and thoroughly understand the text of the education law applicable to the program they intend to implement prior to beginning that program.
In New Hampshire, there are four pathways to meet compulsory attendance requirements. Children are required to meet these requirements by the age of six and until the age of eighteen or high school graduation. Children who turn six after September 30 are exempt until the following school year.
Below are brief descriptions of the four pathways and links to more information.
Public Education
Students access public education through their local School Administrative Unit (SAU). NH also offers public charter schools.
Private/Nonpublic Schools
Private or nonpublic schools in New Hampshire are required to meet minimum state standards for approval, but they are independent and adhere to their own philosophies and methods of instruction. They are not necessarily accredited.
Home Education
Home education in New Hampshire is governed by RSA 193-A (in effect since 1991) and administrative rules Ed 315. Parents should be aware of their legal rights, including access to public school programs (193:1-c). Those planning on home education through high school will want to be aware of the process of self-certification of secondary school completion. See our Legal Requirements page for detailed information about home education.
Education Freedom Account (EFA)
The Education Freedom Account program is governed by RSA 194-F. It allows qualifying families to access state education funds to use toward certain educational expenses from approved vendors. See RSA 194:F, the Children’s Scholarship Fund, and the Department of Education for more information.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Pathway
While the New Hampshire Homeschooling Coalition supports all reasons for and methods of homeschooling, it is important to understand the legal difference between home education and using an EFA at home.
Please note that the term “home education” is legally defined under RSA 193-A, while the word “homeschooling” is a term often used to describe a variety of home-based or parent-guided educational activities and methods, including, in some cases, the use of an EFA.
By law, students who are home educated under RSA 193-A receive certain legal rights and freedoms, including Equal Access to public school curricular and cocurricular programs under 193:1-c, freedom to begin a home education program at any time, freedom to choose any educational curriculum or resources, and student and financial privacy.
Students who have previously notified as home educating under RSA 193-A must terminate their home education program in accordance with NHED rule Ed 315.06 and RSA 193-A:5(III) prior to enrolling in the EFA program pursuant to the requirements of RSA 194-F:2, IX.
This page is under construction as we work on a more detailed comparison chart.