What steps do I need to take legally in order to begin homeschooling in NC?
Send a notice of intent to:

How many homeschoolers are there in NC?
According to the North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE), as of the 2004-2005 school year, there were 58,780 homeschoolers in North Carolina from 31,530 registered homeschools. Of course this doesn't include homeschoolers under the age of 7, who aren't yet required to register with the DNPE or those who, for one reason of another, have not registered.

My info packet from the Division of Non-Public Ed says to be prepared for a home visit. When does this happen?
The Division of Non-Public Education will make a home visit if you request it. However, most homeschoolers beginning their third year of homeschooling opt for the inspection by mail program whereby you must send attendance and test results in annually. Before the third year, homeschoolers simply keep required information on file.

From a long-time homeschooler and loop member....
Yes, the DNPE used to do home visits...with weeks of warning. They visited us just like they visit all private schools in N.C., once a year, and all they did was check the same records that you now mail in. It was no big deal...Rod or David would look at your stuff and then chat for a little while if you liked , and then go on to the next school (private or home.) After a few years of that, there got to be so many homeschools that they asked homeschoolers to meet them at a central location to have their records checked. (If you couldn't make it they would come to you). Then there got to be too many homeschoolers for that, and they started doing the inspection by mail. Now there are so many homeschoolers that they don't even ask everyone to do the inpection by mail every year! I think it is hilarious that people get bent out of shape about this. The first year we homeschooled we had to have all the inspections required of private schools...health inspector, fire inspector, medical stuff for teachers, and so on. The second year we were down to fire inspections and tb tests. (Oh yeah, we had to do fire drills.) And you know what? It was never not worth it, to be able to homeschool. We are extremely lucky in N.C.

Where can I find materials & supplies?
Materials for homeschooling can be found in a variety of places, only dependent upon your style of homeschooling. Many families consider their public library to be the main provider of homeschooling materials. Other families find their most treasured learning resources at garage sales and thrift shops. Other sources of materials and supplies can be book stores, teacher supply stores, video rental stores, and museums or nature centers, who often supply educational materials corresponding to their exhibits. Send for catalogs from the many homeschool supply companies that look interesting to you. They are filled with resources, which you may find helpful (or ideas for resources you may find at your public library). Still other homeschoolers opt for pre-packaged curriculums or correspondence schools. Homeschool bookfairs and conferences are good places to look for materials and to get ideas.

Will my children have to be tested?
NC law states that homeschoolers over the age of 7 and not yet 16 must have a nationally standardized achievement test administered annually (test may be administered by parent) to each student. The test must involve the subject areas of English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics. Some of the tests you may choose to administer or have administered to your child are the California Achievement Test, Sylvan Learning Systems Skills Test (CD-ROM), Iowa Test of Basic Skills, and the Personalized Achievement Summary System (PASS). Records of the test results must be retained at the school for at least one year and made available to DNPE when requested.

Can someone else teach my children? Can I teach someone else's children?
Yes, the NC homeschooling law allows that two household schools are permitted. In a school involving two households, please submit diploma evidence for at least one person from each household.

How do I know what to teach?
NC law states only that homeschoolers must operate the school "on a regular schedule, excluding reasonable holidays and vacations, during at least nine calendar months of the year." How you decide to facilitate your child's learning is up to you. Homeschoolers have many different thoughts on how children learn best, from those who emulate a "school" situation to homeschoolers who believe that unschooling (children follow their interests and study subjects to help them meet their individual goals) provides the best atmosphere for their child.... and many philosophies in between. In essence, the NC homeschooling law gives us the freedom to provide a learning atmosphere that is most compatible with our individual child(ren)'s needs.

How much does it cost?
Homeschooling can cost as little or as much as you want it to. Most resources can be obtained free of charge from your public library. At the other end of the spectrum, correspondence schools and pre-packaged curricula are available for those who desire it.

Will my child receive a high school diploma?
Your child will not receive a high school diploma issued by the State of North Carolina. You can, however, issue one through your private homeschool.

Will my child have difficulty with college admission?
Evidence and experience of other homeschoolers indicate that the answer is no. At this point, most colleges seem to have their own methods for handling homeschool applicants. State supported colleges and universities, because of the amount of applications they receive, most often like to see a homeschooler's learning documentation presented in the same way that they receive documentation from students who were schooled more conventionally. Some private colleges and universities provide the homeschooler with an opportunity to present learning documentation in a less conventional way.

Can my children choose to participate in some public school activities, such as band or sports?
At this point, North Carolina homeschooler participation in public school offered activities does not seem to be widespread. Participation is usually determined by the principal at the school your child is interested in attending. The N.C. legislature has authorized the North Carolina High School Athletic Association to govern and administer sports programs in all high schools across the state. Currently no student may participate in any high school sport unless they are enrolled full time at the school in which they wish to participate. A requirement that home school students cannot meet.

What about driver's ed?
A student is eligible to take driver's ed free of charge when he reaches the age of 14 1/2. Some homeschoolers take the class with public and private school students. Others have been able to arrange their own classes with other homeschoolers. You can contact your local school district's Driver's Education Coordinator for more information.
Effective August 1, 1998, every age 15-17 student enrolled in a home school must obtain a Driving Eligibility Certificate from his/her home school chief administrator within 30 days before the student attempts to obtain his/her North Carolina Learner's Permit or Driver's License. For further details, request from DNPE a publication entitled North Carolina Non-Public School Student Driving Eligibility Certificate Requirements.

What are the immunization requirements for homeschoolers? What documentation is required if one does not choose to vaccinate?
Homeschoolers have the same immunization requirements as all children. We are required to keep on file a record of immunizations received or a medical or religious exemption statement. A medical exemption statement must be filled out by a physician, who should have exemption forms available in his office. A religious exemption statement consists of a letter stating that you choose not to immunize because of your religious beliefs and a brief explanation of those beliefs. For more information, contact the NC State Immunization Department, (919)733-7752.