Home School Instruction

A parent or guardian may choose to offer home school instruction to their child rather than have them attend school in a traditional setting. While this is a personal choice for each family, the Mount Vernon City School District would like to ensure that families can make an informed choice about this option.

Please consult the Home School Manual for more information on how Home School Instruction works in the MVCSD and New York State.

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Requirements for Homeschooling in New York State
Although New York state law does not require teaching credentials for parents providing home instruction, the key requirements to follow include:

1.    File a notice of intent to homeschool within 14 days of beginning, and every year thereafter.
2.    Provide an Individualized Home Instruction plan to the District Superintendent.
3.    Note the subjects required to be taught at specific grade levels.
4.    Maintain attendance records.
5.    Complete 900 hours of school instruction per year in grades 1-6, and 990 hours for grades 7-12.
6.    Submit your quarterly informational reports to the District Superintendent.
7.    Submit an annual assessment with your final quarterly report, which includes a norm-referenced achievement test or written evaluation, depending on grade level.

New York has very specific requirements to home school your child. The regulations listed above are a summary to help parents get started. Check out the New York State Department of Education’s website for the latest information on staying compliant.

Homeschooling completion through grade 12 results in a letter of substantial equivalency from the superintendent that allows a post-secondary educational institution to award a post-secondary degree to a student. A high school diploma or a GED is not issued as a result of home instruction/home school program completion.

Please note that the use of 100% online instruction via online schools may put the students' letter of equivalency at risk, as New York State does not currently accredit, nor accept, 100% virtual instruction from any school not based in New York State, with New York State certified teachers. Families can use virtual or web-based instruction for a class, or to supplement home instruction, but not exclusively for a homeschooling plan.