According to New Mexico Statute 22-12-2, “Except as otherwise provided, a school-age person shall attend public school, private school, home school or a state institution until the school-age person is at least eighteen years of age unless that person has graduated from high school or received a general educational development certificate. A parent may give written, signed permission for the school-age person to leave school in case of hardship approved by the local superintendent.” A school-age person is defined as anyone aged five to eighteen.

“Parents who elect to home school their children are solely responsible for choosing appropriate, grade-level curriculum in all required subjects. The schools and NMPED are not able to recommend or endorse specific programs or provide materials and services.” You do not need to submit curricula or lesson plans to the state, and the curriculum does not need to be approved by the school or NMPED” (New Mexico Public Education Department).

Note that “NMPED has the duty to enforce legal requirements of home schools, and upon finding that a home school is not in compliance with the law, can order a student of such a school to transfer to a public or private school” (New Mexico Public Education Department).

What do I need to be eligible to be a homeschool parent?

“All instruction in the student’s home study program of instruction must be provided by a person possessing at least a high school diploma or its equivalent. (Section 22-1-2.1(C) NMSA 1978)” (New Mexico Public Education Department).

“New Mexico state law requires the home school operator to be the parent or legal guardian. Someone else may provide instruction in a given subject, but the parent or guardian is still considered the operator of the home school, and is responsible for notification, record keeping, and for ensuring that the person providing instruction has at least a high school diploma or GED” (New Mexico Public Education Department).

Do I need to notify the school district of my intent to homeschool my child?

Yes! “Parents/legal guardians must notify the state of the establishment of a home school within thirty (30) days of withdrawal from public/private school and re-notify the state on or before August 1st of each year thereafter. Notification must also be made when a student moves or enrolls in a public or private school. This can be done via the NMPED Home School System.

“The NMPED Home School System is the online database where families can notify the NMPED of the enrollment and disenrollment of children in homeschooling. Parents create an account and log in to provide annual notification to NMPED, update contact details, change geographic school district (if moved), provide enrollment/disenrollment information, and print an official verification of enrollment. This online registration replaces the Letter of Intent to the Secretary of Public Education.

“Home school families who elect not to use a computer or mobile device to provide notification via the online database may print, sign, and mail in a hard copy to PED, ATTN:  HOME SCHOOL, 300 Don Gaspar, Santa Fe, NM, 87501. NMPED staff will enter the data into the database. Parents are advised to mail the form via Certified Return Receipt or other delivery verification for their records” (New Mexico Public Education Department).

What educational options are available to my homeschooler?

As a homeschooler, you may have some options. “Participating part-time in courses at the local school is at the discretion of the district. If the district has a policy that allows home school students to participate, your child would need to enroll with his/her/their assigned STARS ID – and would likely be considered a part-time student, funded by the state proportionately” (New Mexico Public Education Department). You may also ask to borrow books from your local public school, but the school is not obligated to grant your request.

Another part-time option is the New Mexico Virtual Course Consortium.

Note that you do not have to register for home school if your child is attending an online accredited school like Connections Academy, New Mexico Connections Academy, eAcademy, or Rio Rancho Cyber Academy.