Homeschool by State
Homeschooling in North Carolina
What to know in North Carolina
Applies to parents educating children ages 7 and not yet 16 from no more than two families or households.
Compulsory attendance age
This is part of your state's rules.
Read the explanation
Compulsory attendance generally applies to children who are age 7 and not yet 16.
Notice of Intent registration
This is part of your state's rules.
Read the explanation
Families must establish the homeschool with the Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE) and wait for acknowledgment of the completed Notice of Intent before withdrawing from school and starting registered home instruction. DNPE accepts new notices from July through April, but not in May or June, with no filing fee required.
Teacher qualification
This is part of your state's rules.
Read the explanation
The listed teacher must hold at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
Two-household limit
This is part of your state's rules.
Read the explanation
A statutory homeschool is legally defined to contain children from no more than two families or households. Parents, guardians, or household members determine the scope and sequence, provide instruction, and choose curriculum and materials.
Calendar and schedule
This is part of your state's rules.
Read the explanation
The school must operate on a regular schedule for at least nine calendar months, allowing for reasonable holidays and vacations. DNPE recommends five hours of instruction per day, though this recommendation is not a statutory daily-hour minimum.
Attendance and immunization records
This is part of your state's rules.
Read the explanation
Parents must keep attendance and immunization records on file.
Annual standardized testing
This is part of your state's rules.
Read the explanation
Every enrolled homeschool student must take an annual nationally standardized achievement test that reports national norms and covers English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics. The main testing page specifies testing within the opening academic year, while its FAQ specifies the first 12 months and each consecutive 12-month period, so families should meet the earlier timing and confirm unusual start dates with DNPE.
Test record retention
This is part of your state's rules.
Read the explanation
Parents arrange and ordinarily pay for testing and must keep the test results available for DNPE review for at least one year. Test scores are not routinely mailed annually unless specifically requested.