According to New Jersey Statute 18A:38-52, ““every parent, guardian or other person having custody and control of a child between six and 16 to ensure that such child regularly attends the public schools of the district or a day school in which there is given instruction equivalent to that provided in the public schools for children of similar grades and attainments or to receive equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school.” The latter part of this statute allows a parent/guardian to educate a child at home.

Per the New Jersey Department of Education, “Homeschooling is the provision of an educational program to a school-aged child, typically in the student’s home.  Students that are homeschooled have either never been enrolled in a public or private school setting or have been de-enrolled by the parent/guardian to provide the educational program somewhere elsewhere than at school.

If the local board of education determines that there is credible evidence that the parent/guardian or other person(s) having custody and control of a school-age child is not causing the child either to attend school (public or nonpublic) or to receive equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school, the board may request documentation, such as a letter of intent from the parent/guardian confirming that the child is either attending a nonpublic school or receiving equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school.”

Note that “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. When parent/guardian[s] educate a child elsewhere than at school, they are responsible for the educational outcomes of the child. The local board of education is not required or authorized to monitor the outcomes of the child” (New Jersey Department of Education).