How to Start Homeschooling in Rhode Island

Have you homeschooled before, or are you thinking about making the switch to homeschooling in Rhode Island?

Homeschooling laws are different in each state, so it’s good to do some research beforehand. Rhode Island homeschool laws are fairly relaxed, leaving plenty of room for customization. Families will find that homeschooling in Rhode Island is a simple and rewarding experience! 

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the homeschooling requirements in Rhode Island.

Homeschooling in Rhode Island at a Glance

Rhode Island – The Ocean State

Required Age	6-18
Standardized Testing	Not required
Subjects	Reading, writing, geography, math, history of the U.S. and Rhode Island, government, health, and physical education
Time Requirements	180 days
Graduation Requirements	Determined by parent
Special Requirements	None
Financial Resources Available	No

Parent Qualifications

RI homeschool laws do not outline any qualifications for homeschool instructors.

Letter of Intent

Before homeschooling in Rhode Island, you’ll need to get consent from your local school district. You can do this by sending a Letter of Intent (LOI) including your student’s name and birthdate and your contact information. The letter should also include assurance you’ll teach the same number of days as public school, take attendance daily, and teach the required subjects. 

Individual school districts may have specific requirements for their homeschool students. If your district has any questions about your letter, they will contact you.

If you plan to start homeschooling in the middle of the year, you’ll have to send your LOI first. You’ll also need to provide a copy of your letter of acknowledgment when you withdraw your student from their current school. 

Attendance

Homeschool families in Rhode Island have to provide 180 days of instruction, just like the public schools do. Parents are also required to keep a daily attendance record and submit these records annually to the local school district. 

Homeschool Curriculum

Rhode Island homeschool families are required to teach the following subjects: 

Reading	Writing
Geography	Math
U.S. History	Rhode Island history
American government	Health
Physical education

Students should start learning about the history and government of Rhode Island in 4th grade. Public schools in Rhode Island often combine health and physical education into one credit for their graduation requirements.

Parents can create their own curriculum for these subjects using materials provided by local public schools and libraries. They can also choose to homeschool using an online homeschool curriculum that covers these subjects.

Testing

Homeschool students in Rhode Island do not have to participate in standardized testing.  However, students are still strongly encouraged to take college entrance exams, such as the SAT or ACT, as many schools still require them.

Record Keeping

Rhode Island homeschooling laws only require parents to keep attendance records. However, it’s still a good idea to keep track of other important homeschool records. A homeschool portfolio is a great place to keep important documents organized. Other things that can go in a homeschool portfolio include: 

• Courses taken
• Subject materials
• Test scores
• Final grades
• Your student’s best work

It’s important to know that you’ll also be required to send an annual End of Year report.This report gives short details of your child’s progress and attendance throughout the school year. Your superintendent may request that additional items be included in the report. Every district is different, so it’s best to check with yours first. 

Graduation Requirements

Rhode Island does not provide requirements for home school graduation. Instead, parents have the unique opportunity to decide when their student is ready to graduate and can issue their own homeschool diploma. 

Some homeschool students will opt to take the GED exam, which is a diploma equivalency accepted by employers and colleges nationwide. These tests must be completed at an authorized Rhode Island testing center. Eligible students ages 18 and older can take the test (or as a minor, with parent permission). For more information about the GED, be sure to visit the Rhode Island Department of Education’s GED page.

Financial Resources

Unfortunately, there are no financial resources available for Rhode Island homeschool families at this time.

Other Tips & Resources

For more information about homeschooling in Rhode Island, check out: 

• ENRICHri, Rhode Island’s largest secular home education group
• Homeschool FAQ from the Rhode Island Department of Education

If you’re wondering whether Miacademy or MiaPrep would be the best homeschool curriculum for your family, feel free to reach out to our friendly customer service team! They’ll be happy to help you with any questions you may have.