You have more options than you may think…
Brick & Mortar Public Schools
Compulsory Attendance
Your child’s age is your first indicator of his or her eligibility for beginning school. A child does not have to enroll in school at age five, but must be enrolled if he or she is six before September 20. see more >
Required Documentation
New Hampshire school districts set the requirements for what documentation is required prior to enrolling a student in their district. To get that information, contact the district directly here.
Some legal documents are required for New Hampshire students to attend school:
- Certified Birth Certificate/proof of identity
- Official copy of records/transcripts from the previous school the child most recently attended
- A shot immunization record (or proof that immunization is not required for the child)
- Click here to view the immunization requirements
- Proof of home address (for example, a rental agreement or tax statement)
School Fees
Paying some fees is a part of public education, though it is primarily a free education. Students are expected to supply their own basic school supplies such as paper, pencils, and notebooks. Each district has a list of approved expenditures for students. Fee waiver forms can be requested from the school if there is a situation that prevents a family from being able to pay for required materials or events.
Some typical items on that list include:
- Lunch
- Summer school
- Student parking passes (high school)
- Lost textbooks
- Late or lost library books
- Field trips
- Special class-required fees (e.g., science lab fees)
Public Charter Schools
What are Charter Schools?
Charter Schools are tuition-free public schools operated by independent, non-profit governing bodies.
Parents, teachers, and community leaders sign a “charter” or contract with a school district or state agency to create a charter school and give students more educational options than their assigned school. Charter schools have flexibility over classroom hours, curriculum, and employment policies, but are subject to periodic reviews based on student performance. In New Hampshire, public charter school students are measured against the same academic standards as students in other public schools. Local boards of education monitor the academic and financial performance of charter schools, and, can revoke or refuse to renew a school’s charter.
New Hampshire Charter Schools
A list of the active charter schools can be found at the New Hampshire School Directory!
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about charters can be found at the New Hampshire Alliance for Public Charter Schools.
Enrollment
Most charter schools do not have attendance zones. If you are interested in applying for your child, you must apply directly to the school. The application and selection process can be quite complicated. Make sure to contact the school early to determine the correct next steps to applying.
Virtual Public Schools
In New Hampshire, thousands of children attend school online in virtual classrooms with state certified teachers. Some virtual programs are open to in-district students only, while others have enrollment open to students across the state.
Phone: (603) 778-2500
Email: info@vlacs.org
Private Schools
What makes a school “private”?
Private schools charge tuition, and many have a religious mission. Some private schools offer families assistance to make tuition payments. Click below for the complete list of over 240 private schools across the state.
Private School Review offers free, detailed information on U.S. private schools combined with useful community data (e.g., housing costs) and maps of the surrounding areas.
*Information on non-public school admission requirements should be obtained from the school directly.
Tax Credit Programs
The New Hampshire Education Tax Credit Program, gives tax credits to businesses that donate to scholarship-granting nonprofits. Families who meet the income limits can receive scholarships they may use toward private schooling or homeschooling expenses.
For more information on policy change or to get involved in the school choice movement in New Hampshire visit EdChoice.
Private Virtual Schools
George Washington University Online High School is an online college preparatory academy for motivated students who are willing to be challenged to become the best students and persons they can be. Combining award-winning curriculum with small class sizes and intensive college counseling, students receive a flexible, individualized education attuned to their own needs and goals.
International Academy is a K12, Inc accredited, online private school for grades K–12. Students earn a U.S. high school diploma while using award-winning K¹² curriculum
They offer extensive, individualized academic and counseling support keep students on track. The flexibility allows students to explore their passions. Full-time and part-time options are available.
International Connections Academy is a fully-accredited, online, college preparatory private school serving K–12 students worldwide. The program combines a top-rated curriculum with talented teachers, cutting-edge technology, the flexibility to learn at home, and direct family involvement to ensure each student realizes his or her full potential.
The Keystone School offers flexible education programs for high school and middle school students. Whether your student wants to study full-time or just needs individual classes, they offer more than 170 courses from credit recovery to world languages and AP. Students can enroll at any time.
Home Education
Your options
In New Hampshire, parents have the option to educate their children at home, an option known as homeschooling or home education. Parents in New Hampshire may choose to homeschool their own children in grades K – 12.
The following guidelines will help you to homeschool in compliance with state law.
- Provide appropriate notification to the authorities
- Teach the required subjects
- Keep good records
- Evaluate your child annually
- Notify the department of education if you graduate your student before the age of 18
Dual Enrollment
College Credit
While there is no statewide policy in New Hampshire, dual enrollment is offered through the Community College System of New Hampshire and Southern New Hampshire University.
Course Fees
There is no formal dual enrollment policy, so tuition is the responsibility of the student or the student’s parent.
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