project exposing school board members and school leaders focused on indoctrinating children rather than educating them.CURRENT GRADE: A
Only 6,500 out of 187,000 total children were eligible for education freedom options in the state; however, the ESA program was only created in 2021 and continues to expand. Since there is an income cap, the program is limited. The legislature continues to expand the program which is one reason for the high marks.
Homeschooling freedom is one of the best in the nation and the primary reason for the high overall grade.
Compulsory education is required for ages children 6-18
Education Options
- Education Freedom Accounts – passed in 2021
- These are education savings accounts.
- Eligible students are: NH residents, K-12 aged, family income must be at or below 350% of federal poverty guidelines for the first year (Family of 4 income must be below $112,525 in 2025.) No income threshold in subsequent years.
- Must agree to show academic accountability documents.
- Aid may be used for tuition, tutoring, online learning, supplies, and other approved expenses. May not be a full-time student in a public or charter school while receiving funds.
- Average amount allocated per student in 2023 was approx. $3,700.
- Must reapply annually.
- 5,321 students utilized this program in 2024-25.
- In 2025, the legislature and Governor approved lifting the income cap which allows every student to participate.
- Town Tuition Program
- Towns that do not have their own public schools are required to allocate the same amount of per-pupil funding that would go to public schools toward the tuition of another public or approved private, non-religious school in or out of state.
- Education Tax Credits
- Funded through tax-deductible donations to the Children’s Scholarship Fund.
- Household income must not exceed 300% of poverty level. In 2025 max income limit for a family of 4 was $96,450.
- Money can be used for approved private schools, an out of district public schools, online school, or homeschooling expenses.
- 1224 students were eligible in the 2023-24 school year.
- Charter Schools
- Can be approved through the State Board of Education.
- More than 30 operating in the state.
Homeschooling Laws
Here are state requirements on the topic of homeschooling:
- Notify participating agency within 5 days of beginning a homeschool program (one-time notice).
- Notify the NH Department of Education when the child completes their home education program at the high school level (self-certification).
- Home schooled students must be permitted to participate in public school clubs and athletics.
Religious Exemptions:
The state has no formal laws related to religious exemptions but homeschooling only requires notification of beginning and ending.
The First Amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Many argue that a religious conviction to provide a home-based education is constitutionally protected and a state religious exemption law is not a requirement to be able to homeschool on religious grounds.
It should be noted that the U.S. Supreme Court in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) established that “Under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, a state law requiring that children attend school past eighth grade violates the parents’ constitutional right to direct the religious upbringing of their children.” (The case involved a challenge of a 16-year-old student to be exempt, so the scope was limited)
