How to Homeschool in Nevada
Nevada is among a few states that have homeschool laws that are incredibly easy to follow.
Many advocates have worked tirelessly over the years to ensure that our laws recognize the freedom of parents to educate their own children.
Getting started on the path of homeschooling in Nevada is a very simple process.
What Counts as Homeschool in Nevada?
Homeschooling in Nevada is parent-directed. The parent, or legal guardian, takes full responsibility for their child’s education. You can hire a tutor or join a co-op for group classes, but the parent still directs their child’s education.
Homeschooling in Nevada is also self-funded. We do not receive government funds to pay for homeschool expenses. Homeschooling doesn’t have to be expensive, but it is a cost you have to cover without school district or state funds. We also don’t have the oversight and regulations that often come with those funds.
Homeschooling is not connected to any public, charter, or private school whether in-person or online. We do not homeschool under an “umbrella” school. We are entirely independent from the school system.
Notice of Intent to Homeschool
Homeschooling in Nevada begins with the Notice of Intent to Homeschool (NOI), which is a simple form that needs to be submitted to your local school district before your child turns 7 years old. If you’re withdrawing your child from a public, private, or charter school, you have 10 days to turn in the NOI form even if your child is not yet 7 years old. If you move to Nevada, you have 30 days to fill the NOI form for children age 7 and older. You can find the form here.
In all situations, this is a one-time filing unless the name or address of the parent or child changes. You will receive a receipt verifying that you have met the requirements to homeschool. Keep this for your records.
Education Plan
This is the part of the Notice of Intent to Homeschool form that can seem overwhelming for new homeschool parents. An Education Plan needs to be included that lays out what you will be teaching for your child’s current age and ability. You do not have to include what you plan to use in future years and you only have to submit this once unless you need to submit a new NOI form.
Your Education Plan must include:
- English – reading, composition, and writing
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies – history, geography, government, economics
You don’t have to teach your child everything on this list every year if it’s not age appropriate. For example, a government class is not appropriate for a 1st grader, but it is for a high schooler.
You can submit something as simple as a list of curriculum or books you will be using for these subjects. It does not have to be detailed. You don’t have to stick with this plan if you want to change things along the way. If you change your approach to these subjects, you don’t have to submit a new Education Plan.
While Nevada says you must teach these subjects, you have the freedom to decide HOW you’ll teach them and at what pace. You can tailor your child’s education to meet their individual needs.
The Education Plan is an Outline
Many people are encouraged to simply print out the list from World Book’s Typical Course of Study for their child’s grade. Yes, this is actually acceptable. However, I encourage you to use the list only as a guide to create your own Education Plan.
As a homeschooler in Nevada, you have the freedom to decide on the educational path for your children. You’ll have to decide what to teach your kids and how to do it, so you might as well start with this Education Plan. It will help provide the outline needed to guide you in making a more thorough plan for educating your children for this year and beyond.
Freedom of Homeschooling in Nevada
Once you submit the Notice of Intent to Homeschool and an Education Plan, you are done answering to your local or state school authorities. Nevada does not require testing. You don’t have to submit a portfolio, progress report, or meet with a teacher. YOU are the director of your child’s education. While many people keep records and grades, you don’t have to submit them to the school district.
What About Homeschooling High School?
Once your child gets close to high school, you (or your child) need to decide if homeschooling will continue all the way through high school. If there is any chance of enrolling in a public, charter, or private high school, choose an accredited high school homeschool program. High school credits will not transfer to a regular school unless they come from an accredited program.
If homeschooling will continue through high school, you, as the director of your child’s education, can decide when your child has satisfied graduation requirements. Nevada does not have graduation requirements for homeschoolers. Some families look at what their local school requires. Many look to what is required to get into the colleges their child is considering. Either way, the parent issues the diploma and the transcript.
Finding Support for Homeschooling in Nevada
It can be scary to embark on this homeschool journey without an official from the public school system to guide you along the way and oversee your homeschool experience. Fortunately, Nevada has many experienced homeschoolers around the state. There are likely several local groups in your area that can provide support and answer questions.
Connecting with your local homeschool community is also a fantastic way to find group classes, field trips, park days, nature outings, or anything else you want to add that will enrich your homeschool experience for your family.
We are so fortunate to have a simple homeschool law in Nevada. We have the freedom to create a unique homeschool experience for our family. We can replicate the usual school experience at home or we can customize it every step of the way to meet our children’s individual needs. You have the freedom to choose what’s best for your kids.