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Homeschooling in New Jersey: what the law requires and who pays

The department says the compulsory education law, N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25, lets a parent educate a child at home through its clause on equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school. We have not found an official source saying a New Jersey program pays homeschooled students.

Quoted from official sources, read October 8, 2026. A law summary, not legal advice.

What New Jersey’s law requires

The law that allows it

The department says the compulsory education law, N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25, lets a parent educate a child at home through its clause on equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school.

“permits a parent/guardian to educate the child at home” New Jersey Department of Education, Frequently Asked Questions: Homeschooling (quotes N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25)

Telling the state or district

The department lists only two cases where a parent must tell the district: when the district refuses to enroll a student and the parent does not appeal, and when a parent removes a student from high school (a transfer form).

“There are two circumstances in which a parent/guardian of a child will be required to inform the local board of education of the intent to educate his/her child elsewhere than at school” New Jersey Department of Education, Frequently Asked Questions: Homeschooling (quotes N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25)

Otherwise the department encourages, but does not require, a notice to the local board of education.

“For any other circumstances, the New Jersey Department of Education encourages parents to notify the local board of education of the intent to educate the child elsewhere than at school” New Jersey Department of Education, Frequently Asked Questions: Homeschooling (quotes N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25)

What and how long to teach

The department says that under State v. Massa the instruction must be academically equivalent to that of the local public school.

“the instruction was academically equivalent to that provided in the local public school” New Jersey Department of Education, Frequently Asked Questions: Homeschooling (quotes N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25)

The local board of education is not required or authorized to review and approve a home program's curriculum.

“The law does not require or authorize the local board of education to review and approve the curriculum or program of a child educated elsewhere than at school.” New Jersey Department of Education, Frequently Asked Questions: Homeschooling (quotes N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25)

Testing or evaluation

The department says the parent is responsible for the child's educational outcomes, and the local board is not required or authorized to monitor them.

“The local board of education is not required or authorized to monitor the outcomes of the child.” New Jersey Department of Education, Frequently Asked Questions: Homeschooling (quotes N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25)

Records to keep

A board of education is not required to set up a record for a child educated at home.

“A board of education is not required to establish a record for a child who is educated elsewhere than at school.” New Jersey Department of Education, Frequently Asked Questions: Homeschooling (quotes N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25)

Who may teach

A parent or other person teaching the child at home does not need a New Jersey teaching certificate.

“is not required by law to be certified as a teacher in the State of New Jersey” New Jersey Department of Education, Frequently Asked Questions: Homeschooling (quotes N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25)

Ages the law covers

The compulsory education law covers children between 6 and 16.

“having custody and control of a child between six and 16 to ensure that such child regularly attends the public schools” New Jersey Department of Education, Frequently Asked Questions: Homeschooling (quotes N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25)

The state’s own page for families: New Jersey Department of Education, Frequently Asked Questions: Homeschooling.

State money for homeschoolers in New Jersey

We have not found an official source saying a New Jersey program pays homeschooled students.

School choice in New Jersey Private schools in New Jersey

Which states pay homeschoolers, and how: New Jersey next to every other state.

Questions parents ask

Do I have to tell anyone I am homeschooling in New Jersey?

The department lists only two cases where a parent must tell the district: when the district refuses to enroll a student and the parent does not appeal, and when a parent removes a student from high school (a transfer form). Otherwise the department encourages, but does not require, a notice to the local board of education.

Do homeschoolers in New Jersey have to take tests?

The department says the parent is responsible for the child's educational outcomes, and the local board is not required or authorized to monitor them.

Can a homeschooler in New Jersey get state money?

We have not found an official source saying a New Jersey program pays homeschooled students.

Every line above is our plain-English summary of the quoted text, which is copied from the official page named beside it. Laws change: the quoted page is the authority, and a lawyer or the state can answer questions about your family.

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