Homeschooling in New Brunswick
Homeschool legally in NB by notifying your district annually—no permission needed.
Home education is permitted in New Brunswick under the Education Act where the Minister is satisfied the child receives effective instruction elsewhere, avoiding compulsory school attendance. Parents must submit an annual Home Schooling Application Form to their district superintendent, providing child details, intended program, and delivery method; notification is required but not approval before starting. No specific curriculum, testing, or parent qualifications are mandated, though instruction must cover provincial subjects like language arts, math, science, and more.
Quick Reference
School Days
-
No minimum
Hours Required
-
No minimum
Subjects
0
required
Notification
Yes
annual
Key Requirements at a Glance
- Compulsory attendance ages 5-18 unless Minister satisfied of effective instruction elsewhere (Education Act s.15).[3]
- Annual Home Schooling Application Form submitted to school district office by September 29th.[3]
- District reviews and forwards to Minister for approval.[3]
- Parents plan and deliver effective instruction in core subjects including language arts, math, science, social studies.[3]
- Parents maintain records of student progress and evaluation.[3]
- No eligibility for New Brunswick High School Diploma upon approval.[1]
- Reintegration to school places child age-appropriately with monitoring.[3]
Legal Framework
Education Act, SNB 1997, c. E-1.12, and amendments (notably 2014, c.37 and 2021, c.10 — An Act Respecting Empowering the School System). Section 17 (and related provisions) addresses home instruction. Parents apply each year through their school district; the district reviews the application and forwards it to the Minister of Education for approval. The Minister grants or denies approval annually. Compulsory school attendance applies until the completion of high school or until the student reaches age 18, whichever is earlier. Responsible authorities: New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood Development; Anglophone and Francophone school districts.
Filing Requirements
What to file
Home Schooling Application Form
When
September 29
Where
School district superintendent office
How to submit
Mail or in-person to district office
What to include
- • Child details, parent contact, intended program, delivery method, indemnity accepting responsibility
Notification required but can start homeschooling before response; applies to Anglophone and Francophone districts.[1][2][6]
How to Get Started
- 1
Determine your district (Anglophone or Francophone)
- 2
Download and complete Home Schooling Application Form
- 3
Submit to district office by September 29 or upon withdrawal
- 4
Plan curriculum in core subjects
- 5
Begin instruction and keep records
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Easy process
- ✓High autonomy
- ✓Routine approvals
Cons
- •Annual renewal
- •No diploma eligibility
- •Self-funded
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Last updated: 2026-04-26 · NB homeschool law guide