Homeschooling in New Jersey: the law and how to start

Yes. New Jersey's compulsory education law (N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25) requires children between 6 and 16 to attend public school or to receive equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school. The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) confirms that "elsewhere than at school" includes the home.

New Jersey courts have read "equivalent" to mean academic equivalence. The NJDOE FAQ points to State v. Vaughn (1965), under which the state carries the burden of proving that instruction is not equivalent – but you should still be ready to show that it is.

New Jersey is one of the least regulated states for homeschooling: there is no registration, no approval and no state testing.

• If your child has never been enrolled in school, you can simply begin. There is nothing to file.
• If your child is currently enrolled, it is sensible to send the school or district a short written note saying you are withdrawing your child to provide equivalent instruction at home. The law does not require a set form, but a dated letter helps avoid your child being marked absent and any truancy follow-up. Keep a copy.
• Plan your program. Choose materials that give your child an education academically equivalent to public school, and keep a simple record of what you cover.

The NJDOE says a local board of education may ask for documentation (for example, a letter of intent) only where it has credible evidence that a child is not attending school or receiving equivalent instruction.

New Jersey law does not list required homeschool subjects or set a number of days or hours. The standard is that your instruction is academically equivalent to what your child would receive in public school.

The NJDOE has said that state law does not require or authorize a local board of education to review or approve the curriculum of a child educated elsewhere than at school. Most families cover the core areas public schools teach – English language arts, math, science and social studies – so they can show equivalence if asked.

There is no state testing, portfolio review or evaluation requirement for homeschoolers in New Jersey.

Even so, it's wise to keep records: a list of materials used, samples of your child's work, and any test results you choose to obtain. These help if a district ever questions whether your instruction is equivalent, and they make it easier to build a transcript or return to school later.

As the parent, you decide when your child has completed high school and can issue your own diploma and transcript.

If your child needs a state-recognized credential, the NJDOE describes pathways such as passing a high school equivalency exam or completing 30 college credits. Some families instead use an accredited distance-learning program that issues its own diploma.

New Jersey has no law that gives homeschoolers a right to take public school classes or play on school teams. The NJDOE says a local board may allow a child educated elsewhere than at school to take part in curricular, extracurricular or sports activities, but it is not required to. Ask your district what its policy is.

Under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), districts must identify, locate and evaluate children with disabilities, including those not enrolled in public school. If you think your child may need support, you can ask your district in writing for an evaluation. Whether services are provided to homeschoolers varies by district.

Bills to add oversight have been introduced in recent sessions. Assembly Bill A3394, introduced in January 2026, would require an annual letter to the district superintendent, submission of a curriculum, and an annual portfolio review by a qualified evaluator.

As of October 2026, these are proposals, not law – current New Jersey law still requires no notice, curriculum review or evaluation. Check the bill's status on the New Jersey Legislature's website for updates.

New Jersey has statewide homeschool organizations as well as many local co-ops and support groups, which can help with curriculum ideas, group classes and field trips. Public libraries are also a good place to find programs and meet other homeschooling families.