Homeschooling

A parent or guardian may choose to homeschool their child(ren) rather than attend school in a traditional setting. While this is a personal choice for each family, the East Greenbush Central School District would like to ensure that families can make an informed choice about this option.

Interested families may find additional information and answers about Home School Instruction in NYSED’s Home Instruction Questions and Answers webpage. Detailed information about key dates and necessary documentation required by law for Home School Instruction in New York is available in the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Commissioner’s Regulations, 8 NYCRR 100.10.

If you would like additional information on Home School Instruction, please contact the office of Curriculum and Instruction at DurfeeMi@egcsd.org or 518-207-2528.

How to apply to Homeschool your child?

Our district partners with Questar III BOCES to oversee Homeschool Instruction. Below is the link to the Questar III Home Instruction Services website where you can find the Homeschooling Portal (shown below)l. The Homeschooling Portal is user-friendly and accessible from your phone, tablet, or laptop, offering a quick and secure way to complete each step in the process.

Questar III Home Instruction Services

Homeschooling Letter of Intent screenshot

If you prefer not to use the online portal, you may email or mail the required information to Questar III Home Instruction at HomeSchool@questar.org or 10 Empire State Blvd, Castleton, NY 12033. 

Please remember to:

  1. Include your home district (East Greenbush CSD) in all communications
  2. Send files in PDF format or Word docs if using email (google docs can not be opened)

Questar III Homeschooling can also be reached at 518-479-6960.

Important procedures, dates and deadlines for Homeschool Instruction

  • Letter of Intent must be submitted each school year
    • Current Home School participant: Submit a Letter of Intent by July 1.
    • New to Home School in the EGCSD: If you have just moved to the school district, a Letter of Intent must be submitted within 14 days of moving.
  • The parent/guardian must provide an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP). The IHIP must be completed by the parent for each subject the parent/guardian is required to teach at the child’s grade level as described in Part 100.10. The IHIP is due 30 days after the Letter of Intent is submitted.
  • The parent/guardian provides Four Quarterly Reports due on or around 11/16, 1/30, 4/16 and 6/25.
  • An Annual Assessment is due by 6/26 each school year.
    • Kindergarten – 3rd Grade have the option of submitting a narrative assessment each year or taking a national assessment such as the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, the California Achievement Test, The Stanford Achievement Test, The Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills, the Metropolitan Achievement Test, a State Education Department Test, or any other test approved by the State Education Department (most can be found on the Internet – families are responsible for the cost of assessment).
    • 4th – 8th Grade have the option of submitting a narrative assessment or taking a national assessment such as the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, the California Achievement Test, The Stanford Achievement Test, The Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills, the Metropolitan Achievement Test (most can be found on the Internet – families are responsible for the cost of assessment), taking a NYS assessment (can be taken at one of our schools with advanced notice) or submitting a narrative assessment.  A narrative assessment can only be submitted every other year.
    • 9th-12th Grade have the option of submitting the NYS Regents exams (can be taken at one of our schools with advanced notice) or submitting a narrative assessment or taking a national assessment such as the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, the California Achievement Test, The Stanford Achievement Test, The Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills, the Metropolitan Achievement Test, a State Education Department Test, or any other test approved by the State Education Department (most can be found on the Internet – families are responsible for the cost of assessment).
  • A request for IEP services to continue through homeschooling must be submitted by June 1.