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Homeschool laws · State guide

Homeschooling in Rhode Island

Rhode Island requires local school committee approval of an at-home instruction plan before starting, attendance registers, and instruction in required subjects.

Last checkedAgainst Statute + state sources

Rhode Island at a glanceLevel: High

Notice to the state
Yes
Present an at-home instruction plan to the local school committee and get its approval before starting; denials may be appealed to RIDE (R.I. Gen. Laws §§16-19-1, 16-19-2).
Testing
No
No statewide test requirement; RIDE says there should be agreement with the school committee on how academic progress will be evaluated.
Record-keeping
Required
Attendance registers kept and returned to the school committee, superintendent, truant officers and RIDE, in the same form as public school registers. (R.I. Gen. Laws §16-19-2)
Immunization
Unclear
School entry requires immunization proof (§16-38-2). RIDE requires district enrollment before homeschool approval but does not say whether that triggers the rule.
Required subjects
Yes, 8
Reading, Writing, Geography, Arithmetic, U.S. history, Rhode Island history, Principles of American government, Per RIDE also: civics, health, physical education
Instruction time
Period of attendance substantially equal to that required in public schools
§16-19-2
Parent qualifications
No minimum education requirement
RIDE
Compulsory school age
6 by September 1 (or enrolled in kindergarten) until 18
R.I. Gen. Laws §16-19-1

Ways to homeschool here: At-home instruction approved by the school committee · Approved private day school

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Overview

RIDE does not supervise at-home instruction; approval happens only at the local district level, and the district continues monitoring attendance and progress. Instruction must be ‘thorough and efficient,’ with required subjects taught in English (other languages may be added). School committees must loan core-subject textbooks free of charge (R.I. Gen. Laws §16-23-2, per RIDE).

  • At-home instruction approved by the school committee
  • Approved private day school

Requirements at a glance

  • Notice: Present an at-home instruction plan to the local school committee and obtain approval before starting; a letter of intent to the superintendent may start the process. Families moving into a district must first register and enroll the child. Denials may be appealed to RIDE. (R.I. Gen. Laws §§16-19-1, 16-19-2; RIDE)
  • Testing or assessment: No statewide test requirement; RIDE says there should be agreement with the school committee on how academic progress will be evaluated.
  • Records: Attendance registers kept and returned to the school committee, superintendent, truant officers and RIDE, in the same form as public school registers. (R.I. Gen. Laws §16-19-2)
  • Subjects: Reading, Writing, Geography, Arithmetic, U.S. history, Rhode Island history, Principles of American government, Per RIDE also: civics, health, physical education
  • Instruction time: Period of attendance substantially equal to that required in public schools (§16-19-2)
  • Parent/teacher qualifications: No minimum education requirement (RIDE)
  • Compulsory attendance ages: 6 by September 1 (or enrolled in kindergarten) until 18 (R.I. Gen. Laws §16-19-1)

Sources

This page summarizes the statutes and official pages listed in the sources block, as read on the last-checked date. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm current requirements with your state or local education agency.