Homeschooling in Nova Scotia

What you must file

1. September 20You file

   Home Schooling Registration Form

   On or before SEPTEMBER 20 of the school year; or before beginning the program if starting mid-year.

   Goes to: Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Regional Education Services

   The registration must be on the form approved by the Minister, one form for each child, and must include: if your child has been to public school, the last grade level attained; if your child has been home schooled before, the program level of achievement and the estimated equivalent public school grade level; and identification of the proposed home education program. The form asks whether the program is commercially available, based on the Nova Scotia Learning Outcomes Framework, or developed by you, and for a description of it, with space for English language arts, mathematics, social studies, science and other programs or activities. Include a copy of your child's birth certificate; the form's checklist names this for a child entering grade primary (five on or before December 31) or new to the Nova Scotia education system. Complete the custody arrangements section every year; the form says appropriate legal documentation shall be provided. Sign and date the parent or guardian declaration, which certifies that you have familiarized yourself with sections 83 to 84 of the Education Act and sections 31 to 34 of the Governor in Council Education Act Regulations. Send it by mail or through the department's secure online form. The department says the form must be received by September 20.

2. No fixed dateYou file

   Annual progress report

   At least once a year, in JUNE of the school academic year.

   Goes to: Department of Education and Early Childhood Development

   Must accurately reflect the child's progress and be consistent with the type of program provided.

3. No fixed dateYou file

   Notice that home schooling has ended

   When your child is no longer being home schooled.

   How often: when home schooling ends

   Goes to: Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Regional Education Services

   You can tell the office by regular mail, telephone or email (toll-free 1-866-873-1722). If your child registers for public school, you must also tell the office the name of the school your child is attending.

4. No fixed dateYou file

   Evidence of your child's educational progress, if the Minister requires it

   Only when the Minister requires it.

   How often: on request

   Goes to: The Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development

   You choose which to provide, one or more of: results of a standardized test (a nationally or internationally recognized achievement test given under standard conditions); an assessment from a qualified assessor (a teacher, a person holding a teacher's certificate issued by the Minister, or a faculty member of an education faculty of a Nova Scotia university that trains teachers, whose expertise covers children of your child's age, and who is not a parent of the child); or a portfolio of your child's work (a representative selection of work across subjects, done over a period of time). If the Minister thinks further evidence is needed, the Minister may appoint an independent assessor.

5. No fixed dateYou file

   Evidence of your child's education program, when enrolling in public school

   When your child is to be enrolled in public school.

   How often: on enrolling in public school

   Goes to: Officials at your regional centre for education

   The department says to meet with officials at the regional centre for education, or contact the school principal, and that the onus is on you to provide evidence of your child's education program. The regional centre decides your child's grade placement and, at senior high school level, what credits, if any, are given for home school work.

6. No fixed dateYou file

   Registration at the neighbourhood school, if your child will take courses there

   Only if your child will take courses at a public school: register before September 30.

   How often: as needed

   Goes to: Your neighbourhood public school, and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Regional Education Services

   With the approval of the regional centre for education or the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial, a child in a home education program may attend courses it offers, subject to the terms and conditions it sets. The department says the student must register at the neighbourhood school before September 30 and with the home schooling office, and suggests meeting the principal to discuss scheduling and expectations.