Provincial and Territorial Homeschool Requirements

In Canada, we are blessed to be able to homeschool our children if we see fit. However, the expectations and regulations are not uniform between the different provinces and territories. It can be confusing knowing what you need to do to homeschool and what is expected of you throughout the year. We hope this helps to clear things up for you and to find the information you are looking for more easily. For most of these provinces and territories, we have confirmed this info with not only the government page but also a local homeschooler. 

British Columbia

In British Columbia, you have two different options for educating your child at home:

Distributed Learning 

In this option, you register with a Distributed Learning School and a certified teacher will lead the program, assigning and assessing learning. You can choose online courses, or you can create your own student learning plan outlining how you will fulfill the required outcomes. These students are obligated to meet prescribed learning standards of the province. Provincially approved resources must be used. Participation in provincial exams and assessments is provided. For this option, you receive whatever funding program that the school you chose offers. 

Registered Homeschooling 

This option is fully up to the parents. You must register with a school (Distributed Learning or local school), but you do not have to follow government outcomes, are not monitored or supervised, and receive no funding. 

British Columbia Government Homeschooling Procedures and Guidelines Manual

Alberta

Alberta provides you with many options for educating your child at home. We hope this helps you understand the different choices you have.

Teacher Directed 

In this option, the school board ensures that the child meets the education goals. The school board provides the resources and provides parents with support. This option is not funded as the resources are provided so the funding goes to the teacher. Parents submit the child's assignments and assessments. This meets the outcomes of the Alberta program of studies. 

Parent Directed 

For this option, the parent is to notify a board of their intent to home educate. The parents have the responsibility to plan, manage, provide, evaluate, and supervise the programming. There is funding provided for each child who is registered for home education (approximately $850 per child). The money is received based on submitting receipts. You submit your educational plan but may choose whatever curriculum and means of assessment you choose. You are assigned a facilitator who will check up on you twice a year. You may choose to follow the Alberta program of studies, but you do not have to. You would then instead follow the Alberta Home Education regulations which is a list of outcomes to be achieved by graduation. 

Shared Responsibility 

Some school boards offer a mix of the two above options where some courses can be parent directed with the parent choosing the material and some can be teacher directed with the school board providing material and direction.

Notification only 

This is a new option in Alberta. With this option, you need only to notify of your intent to homeschool. You receive no funding, no support, and no facilitator check-ins. 

Alberta Government Home Education Regulations

Saskatchewan

To homeschool in Saskatchewan, parents must lawfully have custody of each student. A written notice of intent to homeschool needs to be sent to your school division as well as a written education plan. A designated school official ensures regulations and policies are being followed. How much funding you get is dependent on the school division you are in. Some school divisions also offer support and services. Parents must maintain a portfolio of work and summative records for the students they are educating. Parents are responsible for choosing and directing the education program.

Saskatchewan Government Homeschooling Program

Manitoba

In Manitoba, parents are responsible for their child’s home education if they choose to do so. The parent must notify the homeschool office at (204) 945-8138 to notify as a homeschooler and receive your homeschooling family number. There is no provided funding, and parents are responsible for choosing and obtaining resources and materials. You must submit progress reports to the homeschool office in January and June, but other than that, there are no check-ins.

Manitoba Government Homeschooling Information

Ontario

In Ontario, if you have previously attended a public school, you need to notify that school board in writing of your intent to homeschool. 

If your child has not previously been in public school, there is no need to notify. You can proceed how you wish.

There is no funding provided, no records or assessments needed, and no check-ins. The board only investigates if they have reasonable doubt that the child is not receiving satisfactory education at home. 

Ontario Government Home Schooling Policy/Program

Quebec

To homeschool in Quebec, the parent needs to submit a written notice of intent to homeschool to the Minister of Education and to their local school board before July 1st (or within 10 days of making the decision if it’s after July 1st). The parents are required to submit a learning project by September 30th to the minister who monitors homeschooling. The parent is also responsible to implement that learning project. There are templates for both of these things available on the website. Between the 3rd and 5th month, a status report must be submitted following the implementation of the learning project. You will be contacted throughout the school year for a monitoring meeting. An annual evaluation and completion report are required by June 15th. There is no funding and no guaranteed support. You may approach your local school board about support, but they are not obligated to give it. 

The Quebec Association for Home Based Education

New Brunswick

In order to homeschool in New Brunswick, you must apply for a homeschooling exemption to the education minister. There is a form to complete and send to the district office. It is then the parents’ responsibility to plan curriculum and keep records in order to document effective instruction. The government does not supply any materials, and there is no available funding. Students can take part in provincial assessments if so desired, but it is not required.

Government of New Brunswick Homeschool Information

Nova Scotia

Homeschooling in Nova Scotia begins with filling out a registration form and submitting it to the Department of Education. There are forms to complete at the end of the year showing what you completed that are submitted to the Department of Education. These forms are very basic. There is no funding provided for homeschooling in this province. Students are permitted to attend a local school for some subjects if the local school agrees. 

Nova Scotia Government Website on Home Schooling

Prince Edward Island

In order to homeschool on PEI, you must notify the Department of Education before the start of the school year. After that, you are to maintain academic records in case you are asked to provide proof of learning. There is no funding. 

Prince Edward Island Government Home Education Information

Newfoundland and Labrador

In this province, you apply to the Director of Education annually stating your desire to homeschool. You are then assigned to your zoned school. The homeschooling is overseen by a director if you’re using a provincially authorized curriculum. There is a list on their website of the approved curriculums. Progress reports and documentation are required to be kept. 

Newfoundland and Labrador Government Home Schooling Policy and Regulations

Yukon

In Yukon, homeschooled students can be 100% homeschooled or can be cross-enrolled with a local school. This is coordinated through Aurora Virtual School, and you register through them as well. Students must register annually and before May 15th. Students can borrow textbooks from the Department of Education. Yukon follows British Columbia curriculum and graduation requirements. Parents submit the home education plans per subject. There is reimbursement available for purchased resources. Parents can also request a Distance Learning Program before September 15th.

Yukon Government Homeschooling Information

Northwest Territories

To homeschool in Northwest Territories, parents fill out a form to register and send birth certificates as well as health card copies with the form. This form is required to be filled out every year and asks questions such as “What programs will you be using?” You can register through the public board or Catholic board, and you choose which school you are going to go through within that board. With the public board, you meet with your school's principal a couple of times a year for support. With the Catholic board, you need to provide a portfolio to them at the end of the year showing the year's learning. They can also ask you to provide further documentation. There is funding provided, but the amount may vary based on which board. It is the highest funding available in Canada. Students who homeschool are able to participate in extracurricular activities. 

NWT Government Home Schooling Regulations

Nunavut

Nunavut Education follows the Alberta Ed program and AB homeschool rules. Nunavut’s website instructs those interested in homeschooling to contact Alberta Distance Learning Centre. However, some local schools will register homeschoolers and reimburse costs up to $1000 with provided receipts. First, check in with your local school, and if they cannot help you, contact Alberta Distance Learning Centre. 

Nunavut Government Homeschool Directive

If you need further information on getting started with homeschooling in Canada, the Home School Legal Defence Association of Canada has great resources available. Our staff here at The Canadian Schoolhouse is also willing to help point you in the right direction if you need it.

This article has been written by homeschooling staff writers of The Canadian Schoolhouse (TCS). Enjoy more of our content from TCS contributors and staff writers by visiting our Themes page that has content on our monthly theme and links to all our content sections.