New York homeschool Letter of Intent.

It's the smallest New York homeschool filing and the one families forget: a short Letter of Intent, due by July 1, that starts the whole year. Miss it and everything downstream slips. This page covers what the letter says, who it goes to, when it's due, and what it sets in motion (8 NYCRR §100.10).

Checked against 8 NYCRR §100.10 — requirements on this page last reviewed July 16, 2026. The regulation text is always the source of truth.

What the Letter of Intent is

The Letter of Intent is filing #1 of a New York home-instruction year. It is a brief, signed letter stating that you intend to provide home instruction for your child this school year, and identifying the child. That is essentially all it needs. It does not require a curriculum, subjects, hours, or a plan — those belong to the IHIP, which comes next.

When it's due

For the coming school year, the Letter of Intent is due by July 1. If you decide to begin home instruction after the school year has already started, you file it within 14 days of beginning (8 NYCRR §100.10). It is an annual filing: a new Letter of Intent is due each year you continue.

Who to send it to

Send the Letter of Intent to the superintendent of your local school district. New York City is the exception: the five boroughs file with one central office, the DOE Office of Home Schooling, at LetterofIntent@schools.nyc.gov. Some districts provide their own LOI form and prefer it; where they do not, a short signed letter is acceptable.

What it triggers

Sending the Letter of Intent starts the sequence. Within ten business days, the district sends you a copy of the home-instruction regulation and an IHIP form. Receiving those materials starts the window for your IHIP, which is due within four weeks of receipt or by August 15, whichever is later. After the IHIP come the four quarterly reports and the annual assessment — five filings in all, and the Letter of Intent is the one that opens the door.

How to file the Letter of Intent, step by step

The plain-language version; the regulation (8 NYCRR §100.10) is the source of truth.

1. Write a short letter

A Letter of Intent is brief: it states that you intend to provide home instruction for your child this school year, and names the child (and typically the child’s age or grade). It does not need a curriculum, a schedule, or any plan — that comes later, in the IHIP.

2. Send it to the right office

Send it to your local school district’s superintendent. In New York City, it goes instead to the central DOE Office of Home Schooling (LetterofIntent@schools.nyc.gov). Some districts offer their own form; a plain letter is acceptable if they do not.

3. File it by July 1 (or within 14 days if you start mid-year)

For the coming school year, the Letter of Intent is due by July 1. If you begin home instruction after the year has started, you file it within 14 days of beginning (8 NYCRR §100.10).

4. Wait for the district’s materials

Within ten business days, the district sends you a copy of the home-instruction regulation and an IHIP form. Receiving those starts the clock for your IHIP.

5. File your IHIP next

Your IHIP is due within four weeks of receiving those materials, or by August 15, whichever is later. The Letter of Intent is filing #1 of five; the IHIP and four quarterly reports follow.

Frequently asked questions

When is the New York homeschool Letter of Intent due?

By July 1 for the coming school year. If you decide to home-instruct after the school year has already begun, you file it within 14 days of starting (8 NYCRR §100.10). You refile a new Letter of Intent each year.

Who do I send the Letter of Intent to?

To the superintendent of your local school district. In New York City, all five boroughs file with one central office instead — the DOE Office of Home Schooling, at LetterofIntent@schools.nyc.gov.

What has to be in the Letter of Intent?

Very little. It states your intent to provide home instruction for the year and identifies the child. It does not require a curriculum, subjects, hours, or a plan — the IHIP handles all of that. Keeping the LOI short and simple is the norm.

What happens after I send the Letter of Intent?

Within ten business days the district sends you a copy of the §100.10 regulation and an IHIP form. Receiving those materials starts the window for your IHIP, which is due within four weeks of receipt or by August 15, whichever is later.

Is there a required Letter of Intent form?

No statewide form is required. Some districts provide their own LOI form and prefer you use it; where they do not, a short signed letter is fully acceptable. New York City accepts the letter by email to the central office.

Do I have to send a Letter of Intent every year?

Yes. The Letter of Intent is an annual filing — a new one is due by July 1 for each school year you continue home instruction, and it restarts the IHIP-and-quarterlies cycle for that year.

Next step: the free New York IHIP template

Free, no signup. Your record is free forever, by contract.