How to withdraw your child from public school and homeschool in New York

Step by step

1. Step 1. Know what New York requires to start

   New York requires annual written notice of intention to the superintendent of schools of the district where the child lives (8 NYCRR 100.10(b)(1)). The regulation does not list what the notice must say. The district then sends the regulation and an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) form, which the parent returns; the district reviews it and says whether it complies or issues a notice of deficiency. There is no statewide form for the notice.

2. Step 2. Leave the school the right way

   The regulation is silent on a separate school withdrawal step. NYSED guidance says parents need not register the child in the public school and are not required to meet school officials, and the district must respond to a letter of intent at any time of year. Telling the current school in writing is a courtesy, not stated as a requirement.

3. Step 3. Watch the deadlines

   The notice is due each year by July 1; if home instruction begins after the school year starts or the family moves in, notice is due within 14 days of starting (100.10(b)). The district sends the IHIP form within 10 business days; the parent returns it within 4 weeks or by August 15, whichever is later; the district then has 10 business days to respond (100.10(c)).

4. Step 4. Ask for your child’s records

   Under FERPA (34 CFR 99.10) a parent may inspect and request a copy of the child's education records, and the school must comply within 45 days of the request. NYSED guidance says the district keeps the IHIP and recommends a notation on the child's permanent record card.

5. Step 5. If your child has an IEP or a 504 plan

   Under federal rule 34 CFR 300.300(b)(4), a parent may revoke consent to special education services in writing; the district must then stop the services after giving prior written notice, and does not have to hold an IEP meeting or seek a due process hearing to override it. For a home-instructed student with a disability, NYSED says services are provided through an individualized education services program under Education Law 3602-c, requested in writing from the board of education of the district of location by June 1 before the school year, or within 30 days of identification; that NYSED page is dated 2008-09.

Before you pull your child out

A letter you can fill in

Fill in the boxes and copy the letter. It is built from what we found above for New York: New York does not list required contents, so it covers the basics. Check it against the state office before you send it.

[today's date]

To: The superintendent of schools of the district where I live [name and address]

Re: Notice of intent to home school, [child's full name]

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am the parent of [child's full name], born [date of birth], who is currently enrolled in grade [grade] at [name of current school]. Under 8 NYCRR 100.10, 3210(2)(d), 3212(2), I am notifying you that I will be providing a home education program for my child beginning [start date].

Please also treat this letter as my notice that my child is withdrawn from [name of current school] effective [start date].

I also request a copy of my child's education records, including the cumulative file, attendance and any testing records. Please send them to the address below.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

[your name]
[your address]

Who to ask in New York

NYSED Home Instruction, last checked October 2026.

A plain-language summary of public sources, not legal advice. Laws and forms change, so confirm the current rules with the state office before you send anything.

Questions