New Jersey does not have a separate homeschool statute. Home instruction is provided under the compulsory-attendance statute's “equivalent instruction” provision, with no required state notification, testing, or evaluation.
Legal framework
Home instruction operates under New Jersey Statutes §18A:38-25 (compulsory attendance, equivalent instruction). The New Jersey Department of Education publishes general guidance noting that home instruction is permitted as long as equivalent academic instruction is provided.
Notification & registration
New Jersey does not require notification to the state or local district for home instruction. Many families voluntarily send a withdrawal letter to the local school when removing a child from public school.
Recordkeeping
New Jersey does not require state testing or recordkeeping submissions. The district's only authority is to inquire if there is credible evidence the child is not receiving equivalent instruction. Families maintain their own attendance records, work samples, and high school transcript.
Graduation requirements
New Jersey does not prescribe specific graduation requirements for home-instructed students. The parent determines completion. Aligning the transcript with the New Jersey public high school graduation requirements is a useful reference.
Who issues the diploma
The parent providing home instruction issues the diploma in the name of the family's home instruction program.
College & military recognition
Rutgers, NJIT, the New Jersey state universities, and New Jersey community colleges admit home-instructed graduates routinely. Homeschool graduates qualify for Tier 1 military enlistment under current DoD policy.
Official source
For current statutory text, forms, and procedural updates, the authoritative source is the New Jersey Department of Education. Homeschool laws change, so confirm specific requirements directly with the state before relying on them.