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New Mexico Homeschool Requirements Moderate regulation
What New Mexico requires from homeschool families — notification, subjects, hours, testing, and portfolio rules — with links to the current law. This is the same state data FolioKid uses to build your portfolio template.
- Governing law: N.M.S.A. § 22-1-2.1
- Required subjects: Reading, Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science — the "basic academic educational program" defining a home school (N.M.S.A. § 22-1-2)
Notify the state PED within 30 days of establishing the home school and renew on or before August 1 each year. The operating parent must hold a high school diploma or equivalent (§ 22-1-2.1(C)), and the student's immunization records must be maintained (§ 22-1-2.1(B)). No testing is required.
Records you must keep in New Mexico
New Mexico is a notification-and-records state — you register with the PED and keep your own documentation rather than submitting a portfolio for review. Keep all of the following:
- Proof of your notification to the state PED and each annual renewal (filed within 30 days of starting, renewed by August 1)
- The operating parent's high school diploma or equivalent (required by section 22-1-2.1(C))
- Your child's immunization records (must be maintained under section 22-1-2.1(B))
- A portfolio of work samples across the five basic subjects (reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science)
- A simple record of instruction or attendance (New Mexico sets no hour count, but a log documents progress)
Your New Mexico filing timeline
- Within 30 days of startingNotify the New Mexico Public Education Department that you are establishing a home school.
- On or before August 1 (each year)Renew your notification with the PED for the coming school year.
- All year longKeep your work samples, immunization records, and instruction log current as you go.
- No testing requiredNew Mexico does not require standardized testing or a portfolio evaluation.
How FolioKid helps with New Mexico's requirements
You do the teaching; FolioKid keeps the records New Mexico expects you to have on hand:
- Snap photos of work as it happens — FolioKid tags each entry by subject against New Mexico's five basic subjects.
- Log instructional time — New Mexico sets no hour target, so track attendance and instruction to document progress.
- Store your immunization records and PED renewal in one place, with a reminder before the August 1 deadline.
- Export a New Mexico-formatted portfolio PDF — or send a read-only share link (no account needed, expires in 30 days).
Free: the New Mexico Homeschool Records Checklist
A one-page printable PDF — exactly what to keep, your filing deadlines, and a blank hours log. We'll email it to you.
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Official New Mexico sources
- 📜 NMSA 1978 § 22-1-2.1 — the statute itself
- 🏛️ NM Public Education Department — Home Schooling
- 🔎 HSLDA — New Mexico homeschool law summary
New Mexico homeschool FAQ
What law governs homeschooling in New Mexico?
Homeschooling in New Mexico is governed by N.M.S.A. § 22-1-2.1. Notify the state PED within 30 days of establishing the home school and renew on or before August 1 each year. The operating parent must hold a high school diploma or equivalent (§ 22-1-2.1(C)), and the student's immunization records must be maintained (§ 22-1-2.1(B)). No testing is required. Always verify current requirements with your state department of education.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in New Mexico?
New Mexico requires: Reading, Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science — the "basic academic educational program" defining a home school (N.M.S.A. § 22-1-2).
Does New Mexico require testing or a portfolio evaluation?
No — New Mexico does not require standardized testing or a portfolio evaluation, but keeping a portfolio of your child's work is still the simplest way to document progress.
Keeping records for New Mexico? Snap photos of your kids' work and FolioKid organizes them into a year-end portfolio PDF — formatted around New Mexico's requirements.
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