New Mexico Homeschool Requirements

Overview

New Mexico is a low-regulation state for homeschooling with a straightforward compliance process. The entire legal framework is contained in a single statute: NMSA 22-1-2.1, which defines a home school as "the operation by a parent of a home study program that provides a basic academic educational program."

The requirements are simple: file a one-time notification with the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) within 30 days of starting, provide instruction in five required subjects, and maintain attendance records. There is no testing, no portfolio reviews, no evaluations, and no curriculum approval.

One important note: New Mexico's compulsory education age begins at age 5, meaning kindergarten is required. This is earlier than many states, so families should plan accordingly.

Legal Framework

New Mexico has a single, straightforward compliance path. All homeschool families follow the same process under NMSA 22-1-2.1.

What the Law Requires

Under NMSA 22-1-2.1, a home school must:

• Provide a basic academic educational program including the five required subjects
• Be operated by the parent of the child being instructed
• File notification with PED within 30 days
• Maintain attendance records for children of compulsory age (5-18)

Getting Started: Step by Step

Starting homeschool in New Mexico is one of the simplest processes in the country. Here is exactly what to do.

Step 1: File Your Notification

Submit a home school notification to the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) within 30 days of beginning home instruction. Include:

• Child's name, age, and address
• Parent/guardian name and contact information
• Statement that basic academics will be taught

Step 2: Withdraw from Current School (If Applicable)

If your child is currently enrolled in public or private school, send a withdrawal letter to the school. Request your child's records for your files.

Step 3: Choose Your Curriculum

Select materials covering the five required subjects: reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. No approval is needed.

Step 4: Begin Instruction

Start teaching. Maintain attendance records as you go.

Notification Requirements

New Mexico requires a one-time notification to the Public Education Department. This is one of the simplest filing requirements in the country.

Curriculum & Required Subjects

New Mexico requires instruction in five subject areas. Parents have complete freedom to choose their own curriculum, textbooks, and teaching methods.

Curriculum Freedom

• No state-mandated curriculum or textbooks
• No curriculum approval required
• Parent chooses all materials and methods
• Religious instruction is permitted
• Any teaching approach works (traditional, classical, Charlotte Mason, unschooling, etc.)

Not Required by Law (But Recommended)

The following subjects are not legally required in New Mexico, but many families choose to include them for a well-rounded education:

Attendance Requirements

New Mexico does not specify a minimum number of school days or instructional hours for homeschoolers. However, the state does require that you maintain attendance records for children of compulsory age (5-18).

Your attendance records are kept at home and are not submitted to PED unless specifically requested, which is rare.

What to Track

• Days of instruction - a simple log of school days
• General subjects covered - recommended but not required in the log

Assessment & Evaluation

New Mexico does not require any assessment, testing, or evaluation of homeschool students. There are no standardized tests, no portfolio reviews, no progress reports, and no evaluations to submit.

This makes New Mexico one of the simplest states for ongoing compliance. You are the sole judge of your child's educational progress.

Optional Testing

While not required, some families choose to administer standardized tests for their own purposes:

• SAT/ACT - for college admissions
• PSAT - for National Merit Scholarship eligibility
• Iowa Assessments - to benchmark academic progress
• Stanford Achievement Test - another widely recognized benchmark

Record-Keeping

New Mexico's record-keeping requirements are minimal. The only legally required records are your notification to PED and attendance records for children of compulsory age.

Special Programs

Financial Programs

New Mexico currently does not offer ESA programs, vouchers, or tax credits for homeschool families.

Public School Access

New Mexico homeschoolers may enroll part-time in public school classes. This can be a useful option for subjects that benefit from lab equipment, specialized instruction, or social interaction.

Access to sports and extracurricular activities is at district discretion. Contact your local school district to learn about their policies for homeschool student participation.

High School & Graduation

Parents create their own transcripts and issue their own diplomas in New Mexico. A parent-issued diploma is fully legal. For college-bound students, prepare:

• Transcripts with courses, grades, and credits
• Course descriptions for each class
• SAT/ACT scores for college admissions
• Letters of recommendation

Common Mistakes to Avoid

New Mexico's homeschool law is simple, but new families still make avoidable errors. Here are the most common ones.

1. Forgetting to file the notification. Even though it is a one-time requirement, some families simply forget to notify PED within the 30-day window. File promptly when you begin homeschooling.
2. Not realizing kindergarten is compulsory. New Mexico requires education starting at age 5. Some families do not realize they need to begin formal instruction and file their notification for kindergarten-age children.
3. Not maintaining attendance records. While New Mexico does not specify minimum days, it does require you to maintain attendance records. A simple calendar or log is sufficient, but you must have something.
4. Thinking the notification is annual. Some families re-file every year unnecessarily. New Mexico's notification is one-time. You only re-file if you move or add a new child.
5. Not covering all five required subjects. Make sure your instruction includes all five: reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. Missing one could put you out of compliance.
6. Not keeping any records for college preparation. While minimal records are legally required, high school students need transcripts, course descriptions, and grades for college applications. Start tracking early.
7. Assuming you need approval to begin. New Mexico uses a notification system, not an approval system. You do not need permission from PED to homeschool. File your notification and begin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to file my notification every year?

No. New Mexico's notification is a one-time filing. You only re-file if you move to a new address or have a new child beginning homeschool education.

Is kindergarten really required?

Yes. New Mexico's compulsory education age starts at 5. You must begin instruction and file your notification for kindergarten-age children, just as you would for older students.

What if someone questions my homeschool?

Keep a copy of your PED notification confirmation and your attendance records. These are your legal documentation that you are operating a compliant home school under NMSA 22-1-2.1.

Can my child participate in public school sports?

Sports access is at district discretion in New Mexico. Contact your local school district to ask about their homeschool participation policies. Part-time class enrollment is generally available.

Are there any financial programs for NM homeschoolers?

Currently, New Mexico does not offer ESA programs, vouchers, or tax credits specifically for homeschool families. All curriculum and material costs are the family's responsibility.