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Homeschooling in New Jersey

Homeschool rules in New Jersey, in plain English

New Jersey law requires children ages 6 through 16 to attend school or receive equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school. Families who homeschool are not required by statute to get state approval, but the state education department encourages parents to notify their local board of education of the plan to homeschool. This guide was built from a summary of the state's law and guidance, and I could not open the current official pages, so check the items under unsure before acting.

See another state

This explains each state's homeschool rules in plain English, from the state's own published sources. It isn't legal advice, and we aren't lawyers. Laws change and every family is different, so check with your state, your school district or a lawyer before you rely on it.

How much it asks
Some paperwork
School age
6 through 16
Time
No set number

Equivalent instruction at home under the compulsory education law

Families who teach their children at home instead of enrolling them in a public or private day school. The law says the instruction must be equivalent to what public schools provide for children of similar grades and attainments.

  1. Before you start, or when you withdraw your child from schoolPaperwork

    Notify your local board of education

    The state education department encourages you to tell your local board of education that you plan to homeschool. This helps avoid questions about compliance with the compulsory education law. If you withdraw your child from school to homeschool, you are required to inform the local board.

  2. Ongoing, from ages 6 through 16What to teach

    Provide equivalent instruction

    Your child must receive instruction equivalent to what the public schools give children of similar grades and attainments. The local board of education enforces the compulsory education law.

Also good to know

  • A homeschooled student may earn a New Jersey high school diploma by passing the GED test, or by completing 30 general education credits at an accredited college and meeting the state's assessment graduation requirements.
  • A local board of education has no obligation to let a homeschooled student join regular classes, extracurricular activities, or sports. Those decisions are up to the local board.

What we couldn’t confirm

  • Whether the notice to the local board is a legal requirement or only encouraged in all cases. The summary I read describes both.
  • Required subjects, assessment or testing rules, portfolio review, and record-keeping rules. I could not confirm these from an official source.
  • Exact compulsory age exceptions, such as early opt-out or leaving early, and whether the law's age range has changed since the summary was written.
  • Special education services for homeschooled children and any services offered through the local district.
  • Official form names, offices, and deadlines for notice. I could not confirm them.
  • Current state guidance. The source I read appears to be several years old, so the state education department's current homeschool FAQ should be checked directly.

From New Jersey’s own sources

Last checked against these sources on November 7, 2026. We check every state each week.

How Study Naturally helps in New Jersey

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Homeschooling in New Jersey

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