NC Law

NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF NON-PUBLIC EDUCATION

1309 Mail Service Center

 Raleigh, NC  27699-1309

919-733-4276

8:30 am – 4:30 pm Weekdays

Comments: The division of the dept. of education that regulates all non-public schools including boarding, private, charter and home schools. Home schools must be registered with the state through this agency and must notify if terminating a home school. Call or log on to web site for more information and registration information.


Complying with the State of NC Homeschool Law

Legal Requirements for Operating a Homeschool in North Carolina

During the 1988 session of the NC General Assembly, Article 39 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes was amended to allow home instruction, under certain conditions, as a means of complying with compulsary school attendance requirements.  The following

is a summary of that law.


Definitions

Homeschool - a non-public school in which one or more children of not more than two families or households receive academic instruction from parents or legal guardians, or a member of either household.

Duly authorized representative of the state - the director, Division of Non-Public Education or his staff.


Requirements

  • Notify the Department of Administration, Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE) of your intent to operate a school & include your school name and name of chief administrator.

  • Certify that the persons providing the academic instruction hold at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.

  • Maintain immunization records on each student.

  • Operate on a regular schedule, excluding reasonable holidays & vacations, during at least nine calendar months of the year.

  • Administer a nationally standardized test, or other equivalent measurement, that measures achievement in the areas of English grammar, reading, spelling and math to every student each year, & maintain the results on file for one year, subject to inspection by duly authorized representative of the state.

  • Notify the Department of Administration, DNPE, when closing your school.

Requirements exclusive

No school meeting these requirements shall be subject to any other provision of law relating to education except requirements of law respecting immunization.


Notifying the State

If your child is 7, but not yet 16, or 16 and over and planning to drive, you will need to file with the state "Notice of Intent to Operate a School."  Contact the Division of No-Public Education (DNPE) at the address below and request a homeschool packet, or download it from the DNPE website.  You will also need to locate your high school or college diploma, or an equivalent.  When the form is filed, DNPE will send a postcard to acknowledge its receipt.  It is important to keep this card.  You are now in compliance with the law.


Department of Administration

Rod Helder, Director

NC Division of Non-Public Education

1309 Mail Service Center,

Raleigh, NC 27699-1309

Phone:  919-733-4276

Website:  N.C. Division of Non-Public Education

 

Testing

The state law requires each homeschool to administer a nationally standardized achievment test, or other nationally standardized equivalent measure to all students.  The state does not dictate which test must be given or who to administer it.  If your students are younger than 7, or older than 16, and not desiring to drive, they are not required to be listed on "Notice of Intent" form and, therefore, are not required to be tested.


Many local support groups organize group testing for their members.  If you are interested in group testing, contact your local support group leader.  If you need help in finding the support group nearest you, visit the Homeschool Support Organizations on this website or contact the NCHE office.  A good source of information for those who are organizing a group is the NCHE Homeschool Leader's Handbook.


Tests may also be ordered and administered individually.  For a list of commonly used testing sources visit the Standardized Testing pages on this website or contact NCHE.


North Carolinians for Home Education

4336-A Bland Road

Raleigh, NC  27609-6125

Phone:  919-790-1100

Fax:  919-790-1892

email:  nche@nche.com

website:  www.nche.com