Homeschooling in New York: Don’t Let the Paperwork Overwhelm You!

So, you’re thinking about homeschooling and discover that your state requires a lot of paperwork. Don’t get scared off! I live in upstate New York, and when I first started homeschooling, I was intimidated too. I over-explained everything to the homeschool office, worried that I wasn’t doing things the “right way.” But after doing my own research and testing out what the state really requires, I discovered something important: you still have abundant freedom to homeschool as you see fit, and the school district isn’t interested in micromanaging your child’s education. In fact, they don’t want to. It’s all about understanding what to put in the paperwork.

Of course, your child’s education is an incredibly important task and not to be taken lightly. But the paperwork associated with homeschooling? It’s simply a checklist.

The Basics of Homeschooling in New York

First things first: if you’re planning to homeschool in New York, you need to submit a Letter of Intent to the superintendent of your local school district. This letter simply states that you plan to homeschool your child. That’s the easy part.

Next comes the Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP), where you’ll outline what you plan to teach in each of the required subjects. Now, this might sound intimidating, but don’t worry—it doesn’t need to be complicated. You just need to show that you have a plan in place for covering the basics.

Throughout the school year, you’ll submit Quarterly Reports. These are brief updates on the progress your child is making. You don’t need to include every detail or grade every assignment. In fact, New York law allows you to state that your child has completed 80% of their coursework at a satisfactory level. That’s it!

Finally, at the end of the year, you’ll need to submit a Yearly Assessment, which could be a standardized test or a written evaluation. This is just to show that your child is making progress. Again, it’s not about perfection—it’s about meeting the requirements and showing that learning is happening.

What About Unschooling?

Now, let’s talk about unschooling. You may wonder, "Can I unschool in New York?" Absolutely! And let’s clear something up—unschooling doesn’t mean your child isn’t learning. It just means you’re using different methods than the traditional school model. Instead of relying on curriculum and workbooks, unschoolers learn through life experiences, hands-on projects, and following their interests.

When it comes to the IHIP, you can absolutely include unschooling methods. Here’s what I personally include to cover all types of learning in our homeschool:

Instruction methods/tools may include and shall not be limited to: reference materials (atlas, dictionaries, globe, maps, encyclopedias, non-fiction books, videos, the internet), workbooks, worksheets, hands-on activities, experiments, projects, news articles, frequent field trips, group activities, classic/contemporary literature, research, journal/narrative/essay/poetry writing, games, creative thinking, predicting/forecasting, gathering facts, written peer correspondence (pen pals), music CDs, piano keyboard, abundant art supplies (clay, paint, crayons, pencils, sketchpads, felt, chalk, etc.), structured classes and competitions, free play, conversations, and real life.

This has worked for me year after year without issue. So, if you’re concerned about meeting the state’s requirements while still following your unique homeschool philosophy, just know that it’s possible!

Navigating the Paperwork

I know it can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to homeschooling. But trust me, once you get into the flow, it becomes second nature. New York’s requirements are all about making sure your child is learning, not about micromanaging every detail of your homeschool day.

The key is to know what’s required and stick to it. You don’t need to over-explain or go into great detail in your quarterly reports. The law doesn’t require it, and you’re not obligated to give more information than necessary. Less is more!

For example, you don’t need to include grades unless you want to. You simply state that your child has completed the necessary percentage of work. That’s it! The person checking your paperwork is just doing their job and making sure you’ve covered the bases.

Protect Yourself: HSLDA

If you’re homeschooling in New York, I highly recommend joining the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). They are an invaluable resource and can provide legal services should you ever need them. More practically speaking, they will come to your defense if your school district imposes more than what the law requires—and yes, some districts do try to.

You’ve Got This!

So, yes, New York has more regulations than many other states, but don’t let that scare you away from homeschooling the way that works best for your family. Whether you choose to follow a structured curriculum or prefer the freedom of unschooling, the paperwork is just a formality. What matters most is that you are in charge of your child’s education.

Stay tuned for Part Two, where I’ll dive deeper into how to handle specific challenges with homeschooling in a regulated state. For now, just remember: you can do this. Don’t let the paperwork overwhelm you. It’s a tool to help you stay on track, but it doesn’t define the beautiful journey of learning that you get to experience with your child.

Happy homeschooling, mama!