State laws require children of a certain age range to attend some kind of formal schooling, whether it's in a public, private, or religious institution, or even home schooling. While truancy laws are intended to make sure enrolled students don't skip school, state compulsory education laws are targeted more toward the parents.
When parents fail to enroll their children in school, they may face criminal charges if administrative efforts through the school are not successful. And while parents have the right to home school their children, most states have specific guidelines and requirements for doing so. Generally, home school requirements are meant to provide the same quality of education the child would have received in a public institution.
New Hampshire Compulsory Education Laws at a Glance
Children in New Hampshire between the ages of six and 16 are required to be enrolled in school. There are some limited instances where compulsory education laws may not apply.
Learn more about compulsory education laws in New Hampshire, including exemptions, in the following chart.
| Code Section | 193.1, et seq., 193-A, et seq. |
| Age at Which School Attendance is Required | Between 6 and 16 |
| Exceptions to Attendance Requirements | If in the best welfare of the child; approved private school; physical/mental condition prevents or makes attendance undesirable; receiving home education |
| Home School Provisions | Planned and supervised instructional and related educational activities including curriculum and instruction in science, math, language, government, history, health, reading, writing and spelling, history of U.S. and New Hampshire constitution and exposure to and appreciation of art and music; notification and evaluation required; home schooled children shall have access to curricular courses and programs offered by school district where child resides |
| Penalties on Parents for Noncompliance | Misdemeanor and compel child to attend school |
Note: State laws are always subject to change at any time through the decisions of higher courts, the enactment of newly signed legislation, and other means. You may want to contact a New Hampshire education law attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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New Hampshire Compulsory Education Laws: Related Resources
