Definition of a Home School

In order to legally provide for their child’s education at home and meet North Carolina compulsory attendance laws parents must file a Notice of Intent to Home School (General Statute 115C-563(a)).

The Division’s school year runs July 1 and ends June 30. Notice of Intent's may be submitted or filed July - April. Home schools may not be opened ONLY for the summer term or for “grade recovery”. A Notice legally opens a school, which must remain in continuous operation with enrolled students until the Chief Administrator closes the home school.

The home school must meet the following requirements:

• Consist of the children of not more than two families or households
• The parents or legal guardians or members of either household will:
• Determine the scope and sequence of the academic instruction,
• Provide academic instruction,
• And determine additional sources of academic instruction.
• Follow the legal requirements to operate a home school.
• Notify the Division at any time the home school address or enrollment changes.
• Respond to communications from the Division in a timely manner to confirm continued operations.

To File a Notice of Intent to Operate a Home School

• When to file: The State of North Carolina home school academic year for reporting purposes begins each July 1 and concludes the following June 30. Schools may open during the months of July –April and must document attendance and instruction for 9 calendar months of that academic year (including any time spent in a traditional school). If you plan to begin school in the fall you would open no earlier than July.
• Only ONE school: Each household may have only ONE Notice of Intent on file (or one open home school). You do not need to renew the Notice of Intent every year – operation continues until the school is officially closed.
• Reopen a school: If at any time in the past you have had a home school, you will need to “re-open” that school rather than complete a new Notice of Intent. Your information is already in our file and only needs updating.

Re-Opening a Home School

If you have had a home school open in the past you will need to re-open that school. If you never properly closed the school you must update your record. You will be directed to the main menu of the DNPE SYSTEM where you will create a user name and password. After you have created your account access you will be directed to the menu.

From the System Menu Choose one of the following options:

• Forgot your home school id, password or school id

• Existing Home Schools Not in New System

will enter your information and then be directed to create a user name and password if it is the first time you have visited the system.

If your school is closed you will have the opportunity to update the information, upload additional diploma evidence if necessary and then click “re-open” to activate your school. This information will be reviewed by a staff member and you will receive an email confirmation once you are officially open again. Only the previous chief administrator can submit a request to Re-Open or update a Home School record.