How to Homeschool in New Mexico

New Mexico homeschool law in detail

We link the governing law so you can read it yourself instead of taking our word for it. The governing law is Section 22-1-2.1 NMSA 1978 (Home school; requirements), Section 22-1-2.1 NMSA 1978, full text in NMPED Homeschool Notification Form with Statutes (2024).

Notice / letter of intent

Under Section 22-1-2.1 NMSA 1978, anyone operating a home school must notify the New Mexico Public Education Department within 30 days of establishing the home school, and on or before August 1 of each subsequent year of operation. The easiest route is the NMPED Home School System online (homeschool.ped.state.nm.us); the notification window for the coming year opens June 1. You can instead mail the paper form (certified with return receipt is wise) to PED, Attn: Home School Notification, 300 Don Gaspar Ave., Santa Fe, NM 87501. Print or save the Parent Notification Report, which includes a unique 5-digit registration number per child per year, that is your proof of compliance.

Required subjects

The statute requires a basic academic educational program that includes reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. New Mexico does not prescribe curriculum, grade-level standards, or specific materials within those subjects, so parents choose freely. Electives like art, music, foreign language, and religion are entirely up to you.

Required days or hours

The home school statute does not specify a required number of instructional days or hours. As a practical guideline, HSLDA recommends teaching about the same number of days your local public school is in session, generally around 180 days, and PED encourages (but does not require) keeping a log of instructional hours.

Recordkeeping

One record is legally required: you must maintain records of each student's immunizations or a signed waiver of that requirement (medical and religious exemptions are available). Beyond that, PED encourages but does not require keeping copies of your notifications, an hours log, lists of materials, and portfolios of student work. Parents issue their own diplomas and transcripts, so a running high school transcript is worth keeping for college admission.

Testing and assessment

New Mexico requires no standardized testing, portfolio evaluation, or progress reporting for home school students at any grade level. Families who want benchmarks can test privately, and nothing is ever submitted to the state.

Withdrawing from public school

If your child is enrolled in public school, send a written withdrawal letter to the school and then submit your PED home school notification within 30 days of establishing the home school. Doing both promptly (ideally notifying PED on or before the withdrawal date) prevents the district from logging unexcused absences. Keep the Parent Notification Report with its 5-digit number alongside a copy of your withdrawal letter. New Mexico compulsory school age runs from 5 to 18.

Good to know

New Mexico law gives districts discretion over part-time enrollment, and homeschool students' access to public school activities runs through the New Mexico Activities Association, which has allowed home school participation at the student's resident district under its rules, confirm current NMAA eligibility rules if sports matter to your family Families near the Texas border should note the two states' rules differ sharply: New Mexico requires annual notification and a parent diploma; Texas requires neither.