MADE FOR FAMILIES IN NOVA SCOTIA
Home schooling in Nova Scotia, planned for you
Tell Kuraplan your children's ages and what Nova Scotia expects. It writes lessons, worksheets and the records you need, in the language of the Nova Scotia curriculum.
Home schooling in Nova Scotia: the rules, the registration and a plan that works
Nova Scotia registers home schoolers directly with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. Parents submit a registration form each year with a brief outline of the program, and a progress report at the end of the year. There is no curriculum requirement, no funding, and no visits or testing. Registration renews annually.
This guide covers the annual registration, what the Department expects in the program outline and progress report, and the high school routes.
Last reviewed 2026-09-07. Informational, not legal advice. Verify with Nova Scotia Department of Education: home schooling before acting.
Step by step
How to start home schooling in Nova Scotia
- 1
Register with the Department
Submit the Home Schooling Registration Form for each child of school age before starting and by the annual date (generally the start of the school year), with a short description of the program.
- 2
Teach
No curriculum, hours or testing requirements. The Nova Scotia curriculum is an optional reference.
- 3
Submit the progress report
At the end of the school year, send a brief progress report describing what was covered and the child's progress. The Department may request more information.
- 4
Plan high school
The Nova Scotia diploma requires credits from a public school or the Nova Scotia Virtual School; homeschoolers enrol for senior years or use the adult route. Universities accept homeschool transcripts.
Nova Scotia requirements at a glance
Legal basis: Education Act (Nova Scotia) s.128; Home Schooling Policy.
- Registration
- Annual registration with the Department with a program outline.
- Curriculum
- None required.
- Hours
- None.
- Assessment
- Annual progress report; no visits or tests.
- Records
- Keep enough to write the report.
Dates to put on your calendar
- Register annually before or at the start of the school year.
- Progress report at year end (June).
Curriculum
Nova Scotia curriculum as an optional reference.
Assessment
Annual progress report to the Department.
Funding
None. Homeschooled students may access some school services and the Nova Scotia Virtual School courses on request.
Plan it with Kuraplan
Turn the rules into a week that works
Kuraplan knows the Nova Scotia curriculum. Tell it your children's ages and it builds lessons, worksheets and the plan or report your Nova Scotia Department of Education paperwork asks for.
Plans in Nova Scotia curriculum terms
Learning plans, program summaries and progress reports written in the vocabulary your regulator expects, ready to edit and submit.
Lessons for every child at once
One family topic, output at each child's level: a drawing task, a paragraph, an essay. Printables included.
Records without the scramble
Keep completed work together so the annual review, report or portfolio is a summary, not a reconstruction.
One lesson. All your kids.
$49/yr flat, no per-child fees
Write one family lesson, then adjust the reading level, the practice and the response format for each child without rebuilding the day.
Nova Scotia home schooling FAQ
How do I homeschool in Nova Scotia?
Register each child with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development each year with a short program outline, then submit a progress report at the end of the year. No curriculum, testing or visits are required.
Does Nova Scotia require a homeschool curriculum?
No. The provincial curriculum is available as a reference.
Is there funding for homeschooling in Nova Scotia?
No. Some school services and Virtual School courses may be available on request.
Does the Department visit homeschoolers in Nova Scotia?
Not routinely; the annual progress report is the accountability mechanism.
How do Nova Scotia homeschoolers get a diploma?
By enrolling in a public school or the Nova Scotia Virtual School for credits in senior years, or by applying to university with a homeschool transcript.
Informational, not legal advice. Rules and forms change; verify with Nova Scotia Department of Education: home schooling before acting. Reviewed 2026-09-07.
Homeschool guides for other countries
Your Nova Scotia home schooling year, in one place
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