Your state guide · 2026
Rhode Island homeschool laws
Last verified · View official sources
The short answer
In Rhode Island, home instruction must be approved by the school committee of the town where the child lives before it begins.
Editorial category; see the guide.
Before home instruction begins; approval is required first.
See requirements for options and exceptions.
See the full guide for age exceptions.
Regulation level
H · HighView regulation data
| State | Category |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | High |
Your requirements
A practical checklist
“Not specified” means a single yes/no requirement is not explicit in the supplied information. Read each detail for options and exceptions.
Notice
RequiredAn at-home instruction plan showing the required subjects will be taught, the attendance period will match public school, and attendance registers will be kept.
Subjects
RequiredReading; Writing; Geography; Arithmetic; U.S. history; Rhode Island history; Principles of American government; Civics, health and physical education (listed by the state education department)
Hours / days
RequiredAttendance must be substantially equal to what public schools require. The state education department notes districts must provide at least 1,080 hours a year.
Testing / evaluation
Not specifiedNot specified in state law. The state education department says the parent and school committee should agree on how the child's progress will be evaluated, which may include periodic testing.
Teacher qualifications
Not specifiedNo teaching certificate or minimum education is required; instruction must be thorough and efficient.
Records / portfolio
Not specifiedAttendance registers kept in the same form as public school registers and returned to the school committee, superintendent, truant officers and state education department.
Immunizations
Not specifiedNot specified in state law
At a glance
- School committee must approve before you start
- Attendance about equal to public school
- No parent credential required
- Keep attendance registers
- Progress evaluation agreed with district
- District loans core textbooks free
Requirements at a glance
Read the details for your chosen homeschooling option below.
Open the full requirements table
| Requirement | What to know |
|---|---|
| Compulsory school ages | 6–18 |
| Notice required | Yes |
| Filing deadline | Before home instruction begins; approval is required first. |
| Required subjects | Reading; Writing; Geography; Arithmetic; U.S. history; Rhode Island history; Principles of American government; Civics, health and physical education (listed by the state education department) |
| Instruction time | Attendance must be substantially equal to what public schools require. The state education department notes districts must provide at least 1,080 hours a year. |
| Parent qualifications | No teaching certificate or minimum education is required; instruction must be thorough and efficient. |
| Tests & assessments | Not specified in state law. The state education department says the parent and school committee should agree on how the child's progress will be evaluated, which may include periodic testing. |
| Records to keep | Attendance registers kept in the same form as public school registers and returned to the school committee, superintendent, truant officers and state education department. |
| Immunizations | Not specified in state law |
How to start homeschooling in Rhode Island
The plan must cover set subjects in English, run for about as long as public school, and keep attendance registers like public schools do. The parent and school committee agree on how progress will be evaluated, and a family can appeal a denial to the state education department.
Choose your homeschooling option
Approved at-home instruction. A course of home instruction approved by the local school committee under section 16-19-2.
Approved private day school. Attendance at a private school approved under state law also satisfies compulsory attendance.
Prepare your notice
An at-home instruction plan showing the required subjects will be taught, the attendance period will match public school, and attendance registers will be kept.
Check when and where to file
When: Before home instruction begins; approval is required first.
Where: School committee of the city or town where the child lives (contact the local superintendent's office).
View steps as a table
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Choose your homeschooling option | Approved at-home instruction. A course of home instruction approved by the local school committee under section 16-19-2. Approved private day school. Attendance at a private school approved under state law also satisfies compulsory attendance. |
| 2. Prepare your notice | An at-home instruction plan showing the required subjects will be taught, the attendance period will match public school, and attendance registers will be kept. |
| 3. Check when and where to file | Before home instruction begins; approval is required first. School committee of the city or town where the child lives (contact the local superintendent's office). |
Subjects to teach
- Reading
- Writing
- Geography
- Arithmetic
- U.S. history
- Rhode Island history
- Principles of American government
- Civics, health and physical education (listed by the state education department)
Sports & extracurricular activities
Not specified in state law. The state education department says each school committee decides whether home-schooled children can join public school programs and activities, and state athletic league rules add their own requirements.
Official forms & law
Rhode Island Department of Education ↗
Forms & guidance
Statutes
Questions, answered.
What do I file to homeschool in Rhode Island?
An at-home instruction plan showing the required subjects will be taught, the attendance period will match public school, and attendance registers will be kept.
When do I file in Rhode Island?
Before home instruction begins; approval is required first.
What assessments are required in Rhode Island?
Not specified in state law. The state education department says the parent and school committee should agree on how the child's progress will be evaluated, which may include periodic testing.
Check the original
Sources and last checked
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-19-1 ↗State of Rhode Island General Assembly
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-19-2 ↗State of Rhode Island General Assembly
- Homeschooling ↗Rhode Island Department of Education
- Frequently Asked Questions on Home Instruction ↗Rhode Island Department of Education
Last verified .