New Mexico Homeschool Reporting & Compliance: Annual Checklist

New Mexico’s homeschool compliance is straightforward: notify the state, log 180 days/1,140 hours, include required subjects, use a qualified instructor, skip testing. But knowing the rules and staying on top of annual deadlines are different things. Here’s your annual checklist.

Key Takeaways

• One-time: Initial notification to NMPED within 30 days of starting homeschool (via NMPED form or online)
• Annual: Renew by August 1 each school year (file notification again for new school year)
• Ongoing: Track 180 days and 1,140 hours of instruction
• No submission of records: NMPED doesn’t ask for grades, curriculum, work samples, or proof (unless you’re questioned)
• Keep records anyway: For your protection, college readiness, and potential re-entry
• No testing mandate: New Mexico does NOT require homeschoolers to take standardized tests

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Year-by-Year Timeline

Initial Year (Starting Homeschool)

Within 30 days of starting:

• [ ] File initial notification with NMPED

– Online: Check nmped.org for portal

– By mail: Send form to Public Education Department

– Include: Child’s name, DOB, parent name, address, phone

– Keep copy for your records

• [ ] Document: Write down start date (you’ll need this for record-keeping)
• [ ] Set up record system: Attendance log, curriculum list, hours tracker

By August 1 of first year:

• [ ] File renewal notification (yes, even in first year)
• [ ] Begin tracking 180 days/1,140 hours

End of first year (May/June):

• [ ] Verify: 180 days and 1,140+ hours logged
• [ ] Create: Curriculum list and course descriptions
• [ ] Save: Work samples from each subject

Every Subsequent Year

By August 1:

• [ ] File annual renewal notification with NMPED

– This is your most important annual deadline

– Same form as initial (new school year)

– Online or by mail

– Keep copy

• [ ] Set up new record system for new school year
• [ ] Copy last year’s records to archive folder

September – May:

• [ ] Track attendance/hours weekly (takes 5 min/week)
• [ ] Keep curriculum list updated
• [ ] Save 2-3 work samples per course per quarter

By May/June:

• [ ] Verify: 180 days and 1,140+ hours completed
• [ ] Tally: Final hours count
• [ ] Archive: All records from school year
• [ ] Update: Transcript with current year

June – July:

• [ ] Prepare for August 1 renewal
• [ ] Gather: Required info (child’s name, DOB, parent info)
• [ ] Plan: Next school year (if continuing homeschool)

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Detailed Compliance Checklist

Notification & Reporting

Homeschool Start (Initial):

• [ ] File initial notification within 30 days of starting
• [ ] Form: NMPED Homeschool Notification Form (available online)
• [ ] Include: Student name, DOB, parent/guardian name, address, phone
• [ ] Submit: Online via NMPED portal OR by mail to NMPED
• [ ] Keep: Copy of submitted form + confirmation

Annual Renewal (By August 1 each year):

• [ ] File renewal notification by August 1
• [ ] This is required every year (even if continuing same child)
• [ ] Form: Same as initial (new year = new notification)
• [ ] Submit: Online OR by mail
• [ ] Keep: Copy + confirmation

NMPED Contact:

• Phone: (505) 827-6635
• Website: ped.state.nm.us
• Mail: Public Education Department, 300 Don Gaspar, Santa Fe, NM 87501
• Look for: Homeschool notification form or online portal

Instructional Hours & Days

Track Ongoing (weekly):

• [ ] Attendance log (date, subject, hours, running total)
• [ ] Keep updated spreadsheet or calendar
• [ ] Record all instructional time (math, reading, science, history, plus electives)
• [ ] Do NOT count lunch, recess, sports, or free play as instructional time

Verify by End of Year:

• [ ] Total days: 180+ instructional days
• [ ] Total hours: 1,140+ instructional hours
• [ ] If short: Log make-up days before year closes
• [ ] Document: Final tally with date

Required Subjects (verify all included):

• [ ] Mathematics
• [ ] Reading/Language Arts
• [ ] Science
• [ ] Social Studies
• [ ] Note: You don’t report this, but you must have it

Instructor Qualifications

Verify at Start (no reporting required):

• [ ] Primary instructor has high school diploma or GED
• [ ] If using co-instructors/tutors: They don’t need special credentials (parent oversees)
• [ ] Keep copy: Diploma/GED certificate (for your records only)

Curriculum & Records (For Your Protection)

Document (not reported, but essential):

• [ ] Curriculum list (what was used in each course)
• [ ] Course descriptions (1 page each, for college)
• [ ] Attendance log (dates, hours, subjects)
• [ ] Grades or assessments (pass/fail, letter grades, narrative—your choice)
• [ ] Work samples (2-3 per course per year)

Where to keep:

• [ ] Physical folder (binder)
• [ ] Cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox)
• [ ] Both (backup)

College & Future Readiness

By High School:

• [ ] Create formal transcript (cumulative record)
• [ ] Write course descriptions (for each HS course)
• [ ] Collect work samples (essays, projects, tests)
• [ ] Plan SAT/ACT (optional but recommended for college)
• [ ] Track extracurriculars (sports, volunteering, clubs, hours)

Junior Year:

• [ ] Take SAT or ACT (recommended)
• [ ] Finalize transcript
• [ ] Gather letters of recommendation (tutors, coaches, mentors)

Senior Year:

• [ ] Complete portfolio for college applications
• [ ] Ensure all records organized and accessible

Annual Review & Planning

End of Year (May/June):

• [ ] Review hours log: Did we hit 1,140+?
• [ ] Review curriculum: What worked? What didn’t?
• [ ] Assess student: Grades, growth, areas to improve
• [ ] Plan next year: Curriculum choices, schedule, goals
• [ ] Archive: File current year records

Over Summer:

• [ ] Plan next school year curriculum and schedule
• [ ] Prepare for August 1 renewal notification
• [ ] Refresh: Update attendance log form for new year
• [ ] Goals: Set learning goals for next year

If You Stop Homeschooling

Transitioning to Public School:

• [ ] Notify NMPED: Inform of last date homeschooling (send updated notification or letter)
• [ ] Transcript: Provide to receiving school (curriculum, hours, grades, work samples)
• [ ] Evaluation: Request Child Find evaluation if special needs (before transition)
• [ ] Records: Organize and transfer all records to receiving school
• [ ] Timeline: Do this before enrollment deadline at new school

Enrolling in Virtual or Charter School:

• [ ] Notify NMPED: May need to notify that homeschooling ended (verify with school)
• [ ] Records: Provide transcript to new school
• [ ] Timing: File with new school per their timeline

If Your Homeschool Is Questioned

If NMPED or district contacts you (extremely rare):

• [ ] Respond promptly (don’t ignore)
• [ ] Provide: Proof of notification (copy of filed form)
• [ ] Show: Hours log and curriculum list
• [ ] Document: 180+ days, 1,140+ hours, required subjects, qualified instructor
• [ ] Be clear: Homeschool is legal in NM when you meet these requirements

If you’re unsure about something:

• [ ] Call NMPED: (505) 827-6635
• [ ] Ask: Your specific question or concern
• [ ] Document: Their response
• [ ] Get clarification: In writing if possible

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One-Page Quick Reference

ANNUAL DATES:

• August 1: Renewal notification deadline (file by this date)
• May/June: End of school year; verify 180 days/1,140 hours
• Anytime: Track hours weekly

WHAT TO FILE:

• Notification form (initial + annual renewal)
• Nothing else (no grades, curriculum, work samples, tests)

WHAT TO KEEP (your records):

• Copy of filed notification
• Attendance/hours log
• Curriculum list and course descriptions
• Grades/assessments
• Work samples
• Transcript (by high school)

REQUIREMENTS TO MEET:

• 180 instructional days OR 1,140 hours
• Math, reading, science, social studies
• Qualified instructor (HS diploma/GED)
• Notify NMPED by Aug 1 annually

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