Homeschooling in Newfoundland and Labrador

Yes. The Schools Act, 1997 allows a child who is required to attend school to be instructed at home instead, as long as the arrangement is approved. The detailed rules are in the NLSchools home schooling policy, PROG-312.

Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the more structured provinces: you apply for approval (not just notice), submit progress reports during the year, and your child may be asked to complete assessments.

The former Newfoundland and Labrador English School District has been brought into the provincial Department of Education, and K–12 schools now operate as NLSchools. The updated home schooling policy refers to the Superintendent of Schools as the approving official, where the earlier version named the Director of Education.

• Contact your regional home schooling consultant. The Department of Education's home schooling page lists consultants for Labrador, Western, Central and Eastern regions, and links to the policy.
• Complete the application for each child. Your consultant will tell you which form and supporting details are needed.
• Wait for approval before withdrawing. Your child remains expected to attend school until the home schooling arrangement is approved.
• Timing matters. The policy says applications received after the Easter break are generally not considered for that school year unless there are extenuating circumstances, so plan ahead – ideally apply well before September.
• Renew each year. Approval covers a school year; talk to your consultant about renewing.

You can use the provincial curriculum of Newfoundland and Labrador, or an approved alternate home school curriculum.

If you use the provincial curriculum, the policy says teaching resources come from the Department of Education and student resources are available through the school your child is registered with. This is one of the few provinces that provides curriculum materials to home schoolers in this way.

If you plan to use an alternate curriculum, raise it with your consultant early so it can be approved as part of your application.

During the year you submit progress reports to the administrator of your zoned school, unless the home schooling coordinator asks you to send them directly to the coordinator.

Reports should be backed by enough work samples in each subject to show your child is making progress. Keep a tidy portfolio by subject so this is easy.

Because the Department is responsible for monitoring student learning, home-schooled students may be required to complete assessments at times set by the Superintendent. Your consultant will confirm the reporting dates that apply to you.

High school graduation in Newfoundland and Labrador is based on earning provincial credits. Approved home schooling at the high school level does not automatically lead to credits, and the policy treats high school home schooling differently from earlier grades.

If your teen wants a provincial diploma, talk to your regional consultant and the zoned school early about how credits could be earned – for example by enrolling in courses – and read the Department's high school credits FAQ.

Colleges and universities set their own admission rules for home-schooled applicants.

There is no home schooling payment in Newfoundland and Labrador. The main support is access to provincial curriculum resources if you follow the provincial curriculum.

If your child has additional needs, discuss them with your regional consultant when you apply. Supports provided at school are tied to enrolment, so ask what, if anything, continues before you withdraw.

Your regional home schooling consultant is the first contact for questions about applications, reports and resources. Many families also connect through local home schooling groups and co-ops, and through HSLDA Canada.