Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Rhode Island?

Yes. You send notice to the superintendent of your local school district, for approval by the local school committee, before you begin homeschooling (approval must come before the child stops attending school). Letter of intent and home instruction plan submitted to the superintendent's office; follow your district's local policy.

What subjects do I have to teach in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island requires: Reading; Writing; Geography; Arithmetic; U.S. history; Rhode Island history; Principles of American government; English; Health and physical education; Civics instruction substantially equivalent to the public schools.

How many days or hours of homeschool does Rhode Island require?

Substantially equal to the public schools; RIDE notes districts currently provide at least 1,080 hours per year, though your schedule doesn't have to match the public school calendar.

Are standardized tests or evaluations required in Rhode Island?

Set by agreement with the school committee when the plan is approved (for example standardized testing, progress reports, or portfolio review).

What records should I keep when homeschooling in Rhode Island?

Attendance register kept like public school registers, returned to the school committee/superintendent as required; Progress reports or test scores, if testing is the agreed evaluation method; Copy of the school committee's approval.

How to homeschool in Rhode Island

High regulationChecked against official sources October 9, 2026

In Rhode Island, your local school committee must approve your home instruction before you begin. You usually start by sending a letter of intent to the superintendent. You must teach the required subjects for about as long as public schools are in session, and keep an attendance register. You and the district also agree on how your child's progress will be checked.

Homeschooling in Rhode Island at a glance: notice of intent required (send to the superintendent of your local school district, for approval by the local school committee); instruction time: substantially equal to the public schools; RIDE notes districts currently provide at least 1,080 hours…

Requirements in Rhode Island

Home instruction approved by the school committee · R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 16-19-1, 16-19-2

Parents teach at home under a plan approved by the school committee of the city or town where the child lives. Approval is required before the child stops attending school, and a denial can be appealed to the Rhode Island Department of Education.

Notice: Send to: the superintendent of your local school district, for approval by the local school committee.
When: before you begin homeschooling (approval must come before the child stops attending school).
How: letter of intent and home instruction plan submitted to the superintendent's office; follow your district's local policy.
Instruction time: Substantially equal to the public schools; RIDE notes districts currently provide at least 1,080 hours per year, though your schedule doesn't have to match the public school calendar.
Required subjects: Reading.
Writing.
Geography.
Arithmetic.
U.S. history.
Rhode Island history.
Principles of American government.
English.
Health and physical education.
Civics instruction substantially equivalent to the public schools.
Records to keep: Attendance register kept like public school registers, returned to the school committee/superintendent as required.
Progress reports or test scores, if testing is the agreed evaluation method.
Copy of the school committee's approval.
Testing / evaluation: Set by agreement with the school committee when the plan is approved (for example standardized testing, progress reports, or portfolio review).
Parent qualifications: None.
Also: Applies to children who are 6 by September 1 (or enrolled in kindergarten) until age 18.
If the school committee approves or denies a plan, any aggrieved person may appeal to the Rhode Island Department of Education, which holds a hearing at no cost.

What the notice must include

Parent's name and address.
Each child's name, birthdate and grade.
Statement that you intend to provide at-home instruction under R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-19-2.
Plan showing the required subjects will be taught in English, thoroughly and efficiently.
Planned instruction time substantially equal to the public schools.
How attendance registers will be kept.
Proposed method for evaluating your child's progress.

Checklist

Send a letter of intent and home instruction plan to the superintendent: before you begin; wait for school committee approval before withdrawing.
Keep an attendance register: ongoing.
Submit attendance and progress reports as agreed with your district: per your approved plan (often annually).

Leaving a public school

Do not withdraw your child until the school committee has approved your home instruction plan. A child removed before approval can be treated as truant.

Common questions about homeschooling in Rhode Island

Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Rhode Island?: Yes. You send notice to the superintendent of your local school district, for approval by the local school committee, before you begin homeschooling (approval must come before the child stops attending school). Letter of intent and home instruction plan submitted to the superintendent's office; follow your district's local policy.
What subjects do I have to teach in Rhode Island?: Rhode Island requires: Reading; Writing; Geography; Arithmetic; U.S. history; Rhode Island history; Principles of American government; English; Health and physical education; Civics instruction substantially equivalent to the public schools.
How many days or hours of homeschool does Rhode Island require?: Substantially equal to the public schools; RIDE notes districts currently provide at least 1,080 hours per year, though your schedule doesn't have to match the public school calendar.
Are standardized tests or evaluations required in Rhode Island?: Set by agreement with the school committee when the plan is approved (for example standardized testing, progress reports, or portfolio review).
Do parents need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Rhode Island?: None.
What records should I keep when homeschooling in Rhode Island?: Attendance register kept like public school registers, returned to the school committee/superintendent as required; Progress reports or test scores, if testing is the agreed evaluation method; Copy of the school committee's approval.

Worth double-checking

Each district sets its own application process, timelines and reporting schedule; ask your superintendent's office for its home instruction policy.
The RIDE homeschool page could not be opened directly when this was checked; the 1,080-hour figure and letter-of-intent guidance come from RIDE's October 2024 guidance as shown in search results. Confirm with RIDE or your district.
The notice contents listed are what districts typically need to approve a plan under § 16-19-2; the statute itself does not list required letter contents.

Sources

R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-19-1 (compulsory attendance).(official)
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-19-2 (approval of private schools and at-home instruction).(official)
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-22-4 (health and physical education).(official)
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-22-2 (civics education).(official)
Rhode Island Department of Education: Homeschooling.(official)

This is a plain-language summary to help you get organized, not legal advice. Laws and forms change, so confirm the details with your state or school district before you file.