Overview
North Carolina treats a homeschool as a type of nonpublic school. Families must establish the homeschool with the North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education (DNPE), maintain required records, operate on a regular schedule for at least 9 calendar months, and administer a nationally standardized achievement test every academic year.
Families may choose Alabama Church School for curriculum and academic services, but an online or outside educational program does not replace the requirement to establish and operate a North Carolina homeschool.
Compulsory School Attendance Age
North Carolina compulsory attendance generally applies to children ages 7 through 15. DNPE registration is generally required when a child reaches age 7.
A student age 16 or 17 may still need an open homeschool and continued academic instruction/testing in order to obtain or retain certain North Carolina driving privileges.
Notice of Intent and Homeschool Establishment
Before beginning a North Carolina homeschool for a compulsory-age child, the chief administrator must submit a Notice of Intent to Operate a Home School to DNPE.
The Notice of Intent includes the homeschool name and address, the chief administrator's name, and documentation that the teacher has at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
DNPE currently instructs families to submit the Notice at least 5 business days before the planned start date and to wait for DNPE acknowledgment before withdrawing a currently enrolled student and beginning the homeschool.
Only one Notice of Intent is filed per homeschool, not one per child. The homeschool remains open until the chief administrator closes it; annual re-filing is not required.
School Structure
A North Carolina homeschool generally consists of the children of no more than two families or households. The parents, legal guardians, or members of those households determine the scope and sequence of instruction and provide or arrange the academic instruction.
Instructional Days and Hours
The homeschool must provide instruction on a regular schedule for at least 9 calendar months of the year, excluding reasonable holidays and vacations.
North Carolina recommends, but does not require, approximately 5 instructional hours per school day.
Required Subjects and Curriculum
North Carolina does not prescribe a specific homeschool curriculum. The chief administrator is responsible for choosing and purchasing curriculum, textbooks, online programs, and other educational resources.
Because annual testing must measure English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics, families should ensure these academic areas are meaningfully included.
Attendance and Records
The homeschool must maintain annual attendance records for each student.
The homeschool must also maintain immunization records or applicable lawful documentation for enrolled students.
Families should additionally maintain grades, course lists, report cards, transcripts, samples of work, credits, and graduation documentation.
Annual Standardized Testing
Every enrolled student must take a nationally standardized achievement test or nationally standardized equivalent measurement each academic year.
The test must measure achievement in English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics.
There is no minimum score a student must obtain in order for the family to continue homeschooling.
Test results must be maintained by the homeschool. North Carolina requires the results to be available for inspection as provided by law, and DNPE guidance says records should be kept for at least one year.
Parent Teacher Qualifications
The teacher listed for the homeschool must possess at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.
A North Carolina teaching license or college degree is not required merely to operate a homeschool.
Curriculum Freedom
North Carolina does not provide or prescribe homeschool curriculum. Families may use printed curriculum, online courses, workbooks, tutors, educational websites, hands-on instruction, and other appropriate resources.
Graduation
The homeschool chief administrator establishes the school's graduation requirements and may issue the student's homeschool diploma.
Families should maintain a complete high school transcript and consider college, scholarship, employment, military, trade-school, and licensing requirements when planning high school coursework.
Alabama Church School Services for North Carolina Families
North Carolina families may choose Alabama Church School for complete curriculum, enrollment documentation, attendance resources, academic records, report cards, transcripts, diplomas, graduation documentation, and educational support.
Enrollment with Alabama Church School does not replace the family's responsibility to establish its North Carolina homeschool with DNPE, operate for the required period, maintain attendance and immunization records, administer annual standardized testing, and comply with other applicable North Carolina requirements.
North Carolina Homeschool Law References
- North Carolina General Statutes §§ 115C-563 through 115C-565 — Home Schools
- North Carolina General Statutes § 115C-548 / related nonpublic-school testing provisions
- North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education — How to Start a Home School
- North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education — Standardized Testing Requirements
Families should review current state law and official education-agency guidance when beginning homeschooling because procedures and program requirements can change.
How Alabama Church School supports North Carolina families
ACS does not replace your state's homeschool requirements — it gives families complete curriculum, academic records, transcripts, diplomas, and documentation while you continue satisfying North Carolina law.
Nearby state homeschool guides
Families moving to or from North Carolina often review these states next.