Homeschooling
Considering Homeschooling?
Homeschooling is an educational option where parents or guardians choose to teach their child at home rather than enrolling them in a public, charter, or private school. When homeschooling, parents or guardians take full responsibility for their child’s education. This includes:
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Teaching daily lessons
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Deciding which subjects are taught based on the child’s age and learning needs
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Choosing curriculum and materials
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Creating a schedule that works for their family
What is Sweet Home’s Role?
The Sweet Home Homeschool Team is here to support families and ensure all required records are properly submitted. The team will review your Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP), quarterly reports, and annual assessments and send you a completed audit report. This report will let you know whether your submissions have been approved or if any additional information is needed. This system keeps the district and families on the same track.
Sweet Home does not provide instruction for homeschooled students, and homeschooling is not a virtual program through Sweet Home.
Homeschooled students do not receive school-provided resources such as computers or devices and textbooks or learning materials. Participation in school-based programs, including sports and extracurricular activities, is not allowed.
What Parents Need to Know
Homeschooling is a parent-led and parent-funded educational choice. Choosing to homeschool is an important family decision, and there are several requirements families must follow. Sweet Home will guide families with step-by-step information about:
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Contact Information
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How to enroll as a homeschooling family
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Required forms and deadlines
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Ongoing responsibilities throughout the school year
To learn more about these requirements, please contact Homeschool Coordinator Heather Kramer at (716) 250-1422 or hkramer@sweethomeschools.org.
We encourage families to submit all required paperwork on time. This helps ensure everything stays on track for both your family and the district.
We encourage families to submit all required paperwork on time. This helps ensure everything stays on track for both your family and the district.
Important Information for High School Families
Students who are homeschooled during high school are not eligible to earn a New York State Regents or Local Diploma through homeschooling.
If a student returns to a Sweet Home school after being homeschooled in any of grades 9–12, the school principal will review the student’s homeschool records and determine which credits, if any, may count toward graduation.
Once all courses and required records have been submitted and reviewed, if it has been confirmed that the student has met the homeschooling requirements, the Superintendent will issue a Substantial Equivalency Letter (SEL). This letter confirms that Sweet Home has verified the student’s courses and requirements, and also acknowledges that the student has met New York State’s homeschooling requirements.
Receiving this letter provides families with official documentation that the student’s homeschool program is recognized as equivalent to instruction provided in a New York State public school.
Students with Disabilities and Special Education Services
Families of students with disabilities may choose to homeschool their child. Homeschooled students may be eligible for special education services through Sweet Home, but services are not automatic.
When a classified student submits a Letter of Intent to Homeschool, their information will be reviewed by the Sweet Home Special Education Department. Families must submit a written request if they want services. The Committee on Special Education (CSE) will then determine eligibility and what services, if any, can be provided.
Families with questions about special education while homeschooling are encouraged to contact the Sweet Home Special Education Department at 716-250-1234 before making a decision.
Additional Questions
For any other questions about homeschooling requirements, procedures, or state regulations, please visit the New York State Education Department (NYSED) Home Schooling website regarding Part 100.10 Regulations: NYSED Commissioner's Regulations 100.10 and the Q&A page NYSED Part 100.10 Q&A.
Contact Us
1901 Sweet Home Rd, Door #6
Amherst, NY 14228
Heather Kramer
Homeschool Coordinator
716-250-1422
hkramer@sweethomeschools.org
homeschooling@sweethomeschools.org
Lindsey Harrington
Director of Instructional Technology & Data
Homeschool Supervisor
716-250-1416
lharrington@sweethomeschools.org