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Rhode Island State Laws
Homeschooling Laws, Information, and Resources for Rhode Island
If you’re living in Rhode Island and are looking into homeschooling, you’re in the right place! This page provides the resources and information you need to determine whether homeschooling in the Ocean State is right for you.
Summary of Rhode Island Homeschool Laws
Knowing the requirements for homeschooling in Rhode Island is one key to successful homeschooling. Below is a summary of the homeschool laws in the state of Rhode Island. You can find additional information on Home School Legal Defense Association’s (HSLDA) website as well: Rhode Island HSLDA Reference
To homeschool in Rhode Island, just follow the steps below.
- Submit a notice of intent and obtain approval to homeschool to the local school committee in the school district where your child resides. The notice (or letter) of intent must include information assuring that you will teach the same number of days as the public school, teach the required subjects, and maintain an attendance register.
- Provide the required period of instruction, which is 180 days during the school year.
- Teach the required subjects:
- Reading
- Writing
- Geography
- Arithmetic
- Health and physical education
- U.S. and Rhode Island history
- Principles of American government
- Keep an attendance register and make it available to the school committee at the conclusion of your school year.
- Review any additional local district requirements as many school committees have also adopted local homeschool policies, which may ask for additional information or include additional requirements. Once you submit your notice of intent to your local school committee, the committee should contact you afterward if they wish for you to meet any further requirements other than those listed above.
Here you’ll find websites for any questions you may have about education in the state of Rhode Island.
- Rhode Island Board of Education: https://www.ride.ri.gov/boardofeducation/overview.aspx
- Rhode Island Department of Education: https://www.ride.ri.gov/
- Rhode Island State Government – Education: https://www.ri.gov/government/?tags=education
- Rhode Island Kids Count: https://www.rikidscount.org/Issue-Areas/Education
- List of Rhode Island school districts: https://ballotpedia.org/List_of_school_districts_in_Rhode_Island
Whether you already homeschool in Rhode Island or are looking to do so, these resources are quite useful if you’re searching for support, co-ops, or answers to questions about homeschooling in your state.
- ENRICHri: https://enrichri.org/
- RI Guild of Home Teachers (RIGHT): https://www.rihomeschool.com/
- Homeschooling in Rhode Island: https://www.homeschoolinginrhodeisland.com/support/support-groups
One of the many benefits of homeschooling is the flexibility to explore! Here are some ideas for amazing–and educational–field trips around the great state of Rhode Island!
- Astors’ Beechwood Mansion: Newport, RI
- Audubon Society of Rhode Island Environmental Education Center: Bristol, RI
- Biomes Marine Biology Center: North Kingstown, RI
- Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology at Brown University: Bristol, RI
- Linden Place Museum: Bristol, RI
- Museum of Natural History and Planetarium: Providence, RI
- Museum of Work & Culture: Woonsocket, RI
- Newport Exploration Center and Aquarium: Newport, RI
- Preservation Society of Newport – The Newport Mansions: Newport, RI
- Providence Children’s Museum: Providence, RI
- Quonset Aviation Museum: North Kingstown, RI
- RISD Museum of Art: Providence, RI
- Roger Williams Park Zoo: Providence, RI
- Slater Mill: Pawtucket, RI
