HOMESCHOOLING IN NEW MEXICO & HOMESCHOOL LAWS
You may be considering homeschooling your children in New Mexico, but don’t know where to start regarding state regulations and legal requirements. This guide will walk you through what you need to know to successfully set up your own homeschool in New Mexico. We’ll cover the history of homeschooling in New Mexico, current New Mexico homeschool laws and regulations, required notifications and filings, curriculum and testing choices, transcripts, extracurricular activities, graduation requirements, and special education services.
History of Homeschooling in New Mexico
Though still a relatively small percentage compared to public enrollment, homeschooling in New Mexico has grown steadily over the past several decades. New Mexico homeschool laws recognize homeschooling as a legal alternative to public or private attendance, giving a parent the freedom to take full responsibility for their child’s instruction.
The New Mexico Homeschool Network, the state’s largest homeschool associations group, estimates that over 10,000 students are currently being homeschooled across New Mexico. This represents approximately 3% of the state’s total student population. While New Mexico has a proud tradition of homeschooling dating back to the state’s founding, interest has accelerated since the early 2000s as more resources, support networks, and curriculum options have become readily available under New Mexico homeschool laws to support homeschool families.
Current New Mexico Homeschool Laws and Regulations
New Mexico’s compulsory attendance law requires children between the ages of 5 and 18 to attend a public, private, or home education program that meets the legal requirements of the New Mexico homeschool law. So, New Mexico home schooling is considered a lawful exemption to compulsory attendance in New Mexico, provided families comply with the New Mexico homeschool law for notification under New Mexico homeschool laws.
The New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) Online System enables families to inform the NMPED about their children’s enrollment or withdrawal from home schooling. Upon creating an account and logging in, you can annually notify the NMPED, update contact information, adjust geographic school district details in case of relocation, submit enrollment or disenrollment details, and generate an official verification of enrollment. This digital registration process supersedes the traditional Letter of Intent and complies with New Mexico homeschool laws.
Homeschool laws in New Mexico do not have many regulations besides the initial notification and annual notification to homeschool law. NM homeschool laws provide flexibility for homeschoolers who need it. Homeschooling laws in New Mexico are fairly easy to follow and the online system makes this even easier for home educators.
How to Set Up a Homeschool In New Mexico
Homeschooling in New Mexico is a straightforward process involving the following:
Confirm that the individual instructing your child holds a high school diploma or GED at minimum.
Maintain a duplicate a diploma or degree for your records of the person possessing the credential.
Deliver instruction in the core subjects of reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science.
Retain a copy of your child’s immunization records or an authorized waiver form in your records.
Inform the NMPED within 30 days you start homeschooling.
Renew the registration annually by August 1st.
Provide a one-time “Establishment of a Homeschool” notification to the NMPED.
Maintaining Your New Mexico Homeschool
If you opt to continue to homeschool in New Mexico, it’s necessary to re-enroll your child annually by August 1st under New Mexico homeschool laws. Home educators who choose to educate their children at home bear full responsibility for selecting appropriate curriculum materials under New Mexico homeschooling laws. Neither schools nor the NMPED can endorse specific programs or provide materials and services. According to homeschool laws, New Mexico does not furnish materials to homeschool in New Mexico, allowing a family the freedom to procure materials they deem suitable for their child.
According to New Mexico homeschool law, your chosen curriculum does not require approval from the NMPED. While you have the option to request book loans from your local public schools, they are not obligated to fulfill your request. Borrowing books from your local library is another viable option.
New Mexico Homeschool Reporting Requirements
New Mexico homeschool law requires the parent to re-enroll their child annually by August 1st. There are no other reporting requirements under New Mexico homeschool laws to begin homeschooling.
Homeschool Testing In New Mexico
New Mexico homeschool laws do not mandate any form of testing for homeschooled students. A parent who chooses to homeschool their children is responsible for providing instruction and determining the educational progress of their students. However, if they wish to have their children participate in standardized testing, they may do so by contacting their local school district or the NMPED. While testing is not a requirement, New Mexico homeschooling educators must still notify the state of their intent to homeschool and provide proof of their child’s immunization records or a valid exemption under New Mexico homeschool laws.
Funding Your New Mexico Homeschool
Unfortunately, New Mexico does not currently provide any direct funding, stipends, tax credits, or allocated resources to assist families with the costs associated with New Mexico homeschooling. The home educators take on the full financial responsibility of obtaining curricula, textbooks, technology, field trips, and other educational expenses out-of-pocket when homeschooling in NM. There are no state-level funding opportunities, co-ops, or purchasing programs specifically for homeschoolers available under New Mexico homeschool law.
Federal Tax Breaks
New Mexico homeschooling families may be eligible for certain federal tax benefits to help offset educational expenses. One option is a Coverdell Education Savings Account, which allows money to grow tax-free when used for qualified costs. New Mexico homeschoolers might also be able to deduct a portion of mortgage interest or rent if part of the home is used regularly and exclusively for homeschooling. Finally, tax credits or deductions could be available for required books, supplies, equipment and curricula used to homeschool in New Mexico. To learn more about these potential tax advantages, homeschooling families should review the information and resources provided by the IRS.
New Mexico Immunization Requirements
New Mexico homeschool laws do not provide any special exemptions for homeschooled students when it comes to required immunizations and vaccinations. According to the New Mexico Department of Health, homeschoolers must follow the exact same immunization requirements, schedules and rules as students attending public or private schools in the state.
Ultimately, home educators are responsible for maintaining their children’s immunization records and having them available as proof of compliance just like other students in New Mexico.
New Mexico State Graduation Requirements
A student who receives New Mexico homeschooling has options for graduation as follows:
New Mexico Diploma:
The student can return to public school before graduating and fulfill the state’s graduation criteria for a New Mexico high school diploma. It’s important to note that state law dictates that when transferring to a public school, the acceptance of credits earned via home study courses is subject to the policy of the local school board. In simpler terms, your child might need to prove competency through alternative methods such as assessments.
Starting at the age of 16, the New Mexico homeschooling student may opt to take the test to obtain their GED.
Non-New Mexico Diploma/High School Equivalence Certificate:
Graduation can be facilitated by the parent or legal guardian; or
Graduation may be achieved through enrollment in a correspondence course, a distance learning school, or a home school program purchased by the parent.
New Mexico Homeschool Charters
New Mexico does not have homeschool charter schools. Homeschooling in New Mexico typically involves parents independently educating their children outside of the traditional public or private school system under New Mexico homeschool laws.
New Mexico public virtual/online schools include:
Pecos Cyber Academy (public charter school).
New Mexico Connections Academy (public charter school).
Rio Rancho Cyber Academy (a middle/high school under Rio Rancho).
Destinations Career Academy of New Mexico (a K-12 school under Gallup-McKinley, available state-wide).
Local New Mexico Homeschooling Resources
There may be some opportunities that can supplement a homeschool in New Mexico:
Check with your local public school district, as many allow homeschooled students to participate in individual classes, extracurricular activities, and athletic programs if space is available in the program.
Search the internet for “homeschooling in New Mexico” or “statewide homeschool associations” for New Mexico homeschool groups in your area.
Many families establish a local homeschool co-op, sports teams, enrichment classes, clubs, and other community-based activities organized at the local level. Research Facebook groups, meetup.com, and connect with other homeschoolers nearby to find opportunities for academic and social interaction.
Consider community college course options, where local homeschoolers may be able to take selected courses in subjects like foreign languages, art, sciences, and more to supplement their homebound instruction.
Churches, recreation centers, museums, and homeschool-friendly local businesses often provide classes, educational opportunities, and discounts that can be great resources.
Here are some homeschool associations in New Mexico:
Christian Home Educators of New Mexico (CHEN)
New Mexico Homeschool Network
Albuquerque Area Homeschool Support Group
Four Corners Home Educators (Serving San Juan County)
Otero Homeschoolers (Alamogordo area)
Enchanted Circle Homeschoolers (Northern New Mexico)
This is not an exhaustive list but covers some of the major statewide homeschool New Mexico support groups and associations operating in New Mexico. Many local areas also have smaller homeschool co-ops and support groups as well.
While New Mexico has a relatively hands-off approach at the state level when it comes to New Mexico homeschooling laws and funding to start homeschooling, New Mexico parents simply need to connect locally to build a supportive learning community. The options are there if you seek them out to start New Mexico homeschooling.
