A Notice of Intent (NOI) is a formal document informing your school district or state that you plan to homeschool your child. Filing an NOI is usually a requirement in many states to show your child is receiving education at home.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 3.3 million students were homeschooled in the United States as of 2023, representing roughly 6% of the school-age population. Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests.
What is a notice of intent to homeschool?
A Notice of Intent (NOI) is the official paperwork you file to let your school district or state know you're homeschooling your child. This shows you're using your legal right to educate them at home. Submitting the NOI means your child is being educated, not skipping school. Most states accept your notice automatically. You don’t need permission. Only Massachusetts and Rhode Island need you to get approval before you start.
What's typically required?
Requirements for an NOI can differ a lot by state. Generally, you'll need to include:
- Your child's name, date of birth, and grade level.
- Names and contact info for parents or guardians.
- The address where learning will happen.
- Sometimes, a list of subjects you'll teach. Some states might ask for a birth certificate or immunization records. It's best to stick to the legal requirements—adding extra info about your curriculum can bring unwanted attention.
Consequences of not filing
If you skip the NOI when your state requires it, you could face big problems. Without proof that you're legally homeschooling, your child might be marked as truant. This can lead to visits from attendance officers, official truancy letters, and even mandatory meetings with school officials. In serious cases, it could mean fines or court issues. In Arizona, not filing is a petty offense, while not providing required instruction is worse—a Class 3 misdemeanor. The NOI protects you—make sure to file it.
The bottom line
The Notice of Intent is your legal proof that you're homeschooling. In states that require it, filing correctly keeps your family safe from truancy problems and confirms your status as a homeschool. The process is usually simple—just a form or letter with some basic info. Don’t stress about it, but don’t forget to do it. Check with your state’s homeschool association or HSLDA for the exact rules, file on time, and keep copies of everything you send.
