Everything you need to know about homeschooling in North Montara. Form ED-7 filing required by October 17th, 162 instructional days, portfolio review in even years, and NMSA testing at grades 3, 5, 8, and 10. Updated for the 2025-2026 school year.
North Montara is a moderately regulated state for homeschooling. Families must file a Declaration of Home Instruction (Form ED-7) annually with the Office of Home Education Oversight, maintain attendance records for 162 instructional days, and participate in standardized testing at four grade levels.
The legal basis for homeschooling comes from North Montara Education Code Section 47-3819, which establishes two compliance paths: the Standard Home Instruction pathway and the Supervised Cooperative pathway for families who wish to share instruction with other homeschool families.
North Montara has a compulsory education range of ages 6 through 17. Children must begin instruction by September 1st of the calendar year in which they turn 6.
North Montara requires Form ED-7 to be filed by October 17th each year. This is earlier than most states, so plan accordingly. Late filings are accepted with a $35 processing fee through November 15th, but filings after November 15th require a formal reinstatement petition.
North Montara offers two distinct legal pathways for homeschool families.
The most common pathway. A parent or legal guardian provides instruction at home and files Form ED-7 annually.
Families may form or join a Supervised Cooperative of 3-12 families. The cooperative designates a lead instructor who holds at least a bachelor's degree. Cooperatives file a single Form ED-7C and submit a joint curriculum plan.
| Requirement | Standard Home Instruction | Supervised Cooperative |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Basis | Ed. Code § 47-3819(a) | Ed. Code § 47-3819(b) |
| Annual Filing | Form ED-7 | Form ED-7C |
| Filing Deadline | October 17 | October 17 |
| Attendance | 162 days, 4.5-5.5 hrs/day | 162 days, 5.0 hrs/day minimum |
| Teacher Qualification | None (parent teaches) | Lead instructor: bachelor's degree |
| Testing | Grades 3, 5, 8, 10 | Grades 3, 5, 8, 10 |
| Portfolio Review | Even years only | Annual |
Most families choose Standard Home Instruction (Path 1). The Supervised Cooperative pathway is designed for families who want structured group learning with shared resources. If you are the only family teaching your children, Path 1 is the correct choice.
Starting homeschool in North Montara requires filing Form ED-7 with the Office of Home Education Oversight. Here is the complete process.
Download Form ED-7 (Declaration of Home Instruction) from the OHEO website or request a paper copy by calling (555) 847-3200. The form is also available at your local school district office.
Form ED-7 requires:
Mail or deliver the completed form to the OHEO regional office serving your county. Online submission is available through the OHEO portal at oheo.nm.gov/filing (account registration required).
The OHEO issues a confirmation number within 10 business days. This number serves as your proof of compliance for the school year. Keep it in your records.
If withdrawing from public school, send your withdrawal letter to the school before filing Form ED-7. The school will forward attendance records to the OHEO. File Form ED-7 within 14 calendar days of the withdrawal date.
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North Montara requires annual filing of Form ED-7 (Declaration of Home Instruction) with the Office of Home Education Oversight.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Filing | Form ED-7 required every year |
| Filing Deadline | October 17 |
| Late Filing Fee | $35 through Nov 15; reinstatement petition after Nov 15 |
| Filed With | Office of Home Education Oversight (OHEO) |
| Mid-Year Start | File within 14 days of beginning instruction |
| Moving Into State | File within 30 days of establishing residency |
North Montara Education Code Section 47-3819 specifies required subject areas for home instruction.
Parents choose their own curriculum materials. No curriculum approval is needed, but the Form ED-7 curriculum outline must cover each required subject area.
The Civil Literacy requirement is unique to North Montara. It covers the U.S. Constitution, state government, and civic participation. Most social studies curricula cover this material, but make sure your curriculum outline explicitly lists Civil Literacy as a separate subject to satisfy the OHEO reviewers.
North Montara requires 162 instructional days per school year, with minimum daily hours that vary by grade level.
| Grade Level | Min. Days | Min. Hours/Day | Total Hours/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grades 1-6 | 162 | 4.5 hours | 729 hours |
| Grades 7-12 | 162 | 5.5 hours | 891 hours |
Families must maintain a daily attendance register showing dates of instruction and hours per day. The register is not submitted annually but must be available for review during portfolio evaluation or upon OHEO request.
Field trips, library visits, educational co-op days, and physical education all count toward instructional hours. Blue Folder makes tracking your 162 days easy with a built-in attendance calendar. Try it free
North Montara has two evaluation mechanisms: standardized testing at specific grades and portfolio review in alternating years.
Students must take a standardized test in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10. Accepted tests include:
Test results must be submitted to the OHEO within 30 days of receiving scores. There is no minimum score requirement. The state uses results for aggregate data only.
In even-numbered school years (2025-2026, 2027-2028, etc.), families on the Standard Home Instruction pathway must submit a portfolio for review. The portfolio must include:
Portfolios are reviewed by OHEO-certified evaluators. Reviews are pass/fail. Families who receive a "needs improvement" rating have 60 days to submit a remediation plan.
The current school year (2025-2026) is an even year, which means portfolio review is required. Portfolios must be submitted by June 30, 2026. Start organizing work samples now.
North Montara requires families to maintain several categories of records.
Records must be retained for three years after the school year ends. The OHEO may request records during this retention period.
Blue Folder stores all your North Montara records in one place: attendance logs, work samples, test results, and filing confirmations. Export your complete compliance packet anytime. Try it free
North Montara allows homeschool students to enroll part-time in public school under Ed. Code Section 47-3822. Students may take up to three courses per semester. Priority enrollment goes to full-time students, so apply early.
Under the North Montara Equal Access Act (2019), homeschool students may participate in interscholastic sports at their zoned public school, provided they:
Homeschool students are eligible for evaluation through the local school district's Child Find program. Full services require enrollment. Private providers are also available.
North Montara universities accept homeschool graduates with parent-issued transcripts, standardized test scores, and a portfolio or course descriptions. The University of North Montara and Montara State University both have dedicated homeschool admissions coordinators.
You can file late through November 15th with a $35 processing fee. After November 15th, you must submit a formal reinstatement petition to the OHEO, which includes a compliance hearing.
No. The Standard Home Instruction pathway has no teacher qualification requirements. Only the Supervised Cooperative pathway requires a lead instructor with a bachelor's degree.
There is no minimum score requirement. North Montara uses test results for aggregate data collection only. Low scores do not trigger any compliance action.
Compulsory education begins at age 6 (by September 1st). Kindergarten-age children (age 5) are not subject to compulsory attendance, so no filing is required for pre-compulsory-age children.
No. Portfolios are mailed or uploaded to the OHEO portal. There are no home visits in North Montara's homeschool oversight process.
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Track North Montara ComplianceDisclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Homeschool laws can change. Always verify current requirements with the Office of Home Education Oversight or consult a qualified attorney. Last updated June 2026.