– Homeschooling is a form of education where a parent or legal guardians instructs their child from their home, as opposed to enrolling them in a traditional brick-and-mortar school. It’s often considered to be a great method of learning, thanks to the lack of fees and other restrictions imposed by public education, and the many unique opportunities for personalized instruction offered by private schools. Despite this, homeschooling isn’t as simple as setting up your own curriculum and begin teaching—those who wish to homeschool their children must first register with their local school district in North Carolina.
Below, we’ll discuss exactly how you can do this, and everything else that it takes to become a legal homeschooling family in North Carolina.
1. Who Can Homeschool in NC?
Under North Carolina state law, any parent, guardian, or other adult with lawful control can register their child or children for homeschooling. The child must be between the ages of 7 and 16, and the parent/guardian must be a resident of North Carolina.
2. Where Can I Start the Registration Process?
The first step in the registration process is reaching out to your local school district. This can be done by contacting the school’s district office, or by visiting their website and finding the page dedicated to homeschool information (usually seen as an option on the homepage). Once you’ve found your school district’s page dedicated to homeschooling, follow their instructions to set up an appointment with the designated school official responsible for homeschool inquiries.
3. What Documents Do I Need to Provide?
When registering for homeschooling in North Carolina, the parent/guardian must provide the official from the school district with a letter of intent. This document acts as a formality, and needs to include information such as your name and address, your child or children’s name and age, the starting and ending dates for the homeschool year, the educational program to be used, and the name and address of the homeschool. You may also be asked to provide proof of your child’s age (birth/baptismal certificates, library cards, etc).
4. Is There a Fee?
Homeschooling in North Carolina is free, and there are no filing or registration fees.
5. What Does the School District Do With the Information?
Once the homeschool registration forms are submitted to the school district, they’re responsible for compiling this information into a report and forwarding it to the Department of Non-Public Education (DNPE). The DNPE then records the registration, and is also responsible for identifying potential educational resources and services available to homeschool families.
6. What Curriculum Can I Use?
North Carolina state law does not require or prohibit any specific curriculum, so parents/guardians can choose the educational program that best suits their child’s needs. This can include adopting a traditional school curriculum, such as one from Singapore Math or Core Knowledge, or using online programs, like Khan Academy or Teach Your Monster to Read.
7. Does My Child Need to Take Standardized Tests?
The Department of Non-Public Education does not require homeschool students to take standardized tests in North Carolina, however, some school districts may require standardized testing in grades 3, 5, 6, and
8. Is Record Keeping Required?
Yes. Homeschooling parents/guardians are legally required to keep written records of their student’s educational progress, including their attendance records and written evaluations.
These records may need to be submitted to the DNPE upon request.
9. Is There a Special Education Requirement?
Yes. The North Carolina Department of Administration requires homeschool parents/guardians to participate in special education testing and/or programming if requested to do so by the school district.
10. Are There Attendance Requirements?
Yes. According to North Carolina law, homeschooled students must meet at least one of the following criteria for the minimum length of a school day: A minimum of four hours per day for one hundred days per year; A minimum of four-and-a-half hours per day for ninety days per year; A minimum of five hours per day for seventy-five days per year; or A minimum of six hours per day for sixty days per year.
11. Are Make-up Days Required?
Yes. North Carolina homeschool regulations require students to make up any missed days due to illness, holidays, vacations, or other reasons. All make-up days must be included in the total length of the school year.
12. Is Socialization Necessary?
No. While some may have fears of a lack of socialization in homeschooling, this isn’t necessarily an issue, as parents/guardians can set up extracurricular activities, field trips, and other activities to ensure that their daily curriculum is balanced by social and emotional development.
13. Are Online Classes or Programs Allowed?
Yes. The North Carolina Department of Non-Public Education considers online learning an acceptable form of homeschool, provided that the course content meets the educational and/or subject-area standards set by the state.
14. Are Activities Required?
No. There is no legal requirement in North Carolina to take part in events or activities related to homeschooling.
This includes joining a homeschool cooperative or umbrella school, attending homeschooling conventions, or participating in field trips or other enrichment activities.
15. Are Sports or Extracurriculars Allowed?
Yes, homeschooled students may participate in extra-curricular activities or sports programs through their local middle or high school. In most cases, homeschooled students are eligible to join after providing the school with proof of residency and a birth certificate. Conclusion – While the process of homeschooling may seem daunting at first, registering your son or daughter for legal homeschooling in North Carolina is a straightforward and simple task.
By following the steps outlined above and understanding the requirements and regulations imposed by your local school district and state, you can enjoy the freedom of homeschooling and the many benefits that come with it.