New Jersey Homeschool Associations
Homeschooling, although legal in all 50 states, has not been without challenges. Thankfully, also, it has always had firm advocates. Almost every state is fortunate to have at least one statewide home school association with the overall goal of promoting home education and protecting every parent’s right to choose the best educational options for their specific child.
Because New Jersey is a state with a strong and growing homeschool population, it is fortunate enough to currently have two homeschool associations.
The New Jersey Homeschool Association (NJHA)
According to their website, the mission of the New Jersey Homeschool Association is “to protect the homeschooling freedoms of all New Jersey citizens and to maintain a favorable homeschooling climate in the state.” This organization is nonpartisan and inclusive and serves any homeschool family in the state, regardless of race, religion, disability, or reason for homeschooling. In addition to all the information provided on the website to homeschoolers in the state, members of the New Jersey Homeschool Association also receive email alerts about legislative items that may affect homeschooling. Upon request, members can receive an NJHA membership card which may be shown as proof of homeschooling to any merchants who offer discounts to homeschoolers.
Education Network of Christian Homeschoolers of New Jersey (ENOCH)
For Christian families homeschooling in the state, there is an additional homeschool organization alternative: ENOCH. On its website, ENOCH states that it is “an organization which consists of like-minded Christians dedicated to observe the Biblical commands of Deuteronomy 6:4-10, Proverbs 22:6 and Ephesians 6:4. We promote home education as the scriptural design for education, whereas institutional education is the alternative to the home. We believe that every family has the God-given, legal and constitutional right to home education in the state of New Jersey, regardless of their philosophy of education or religious affiliation.”
Some of the offerings of the Education Network of Christian Homeschoolers of New Jersey include:
- An annual New Jersey homeschool convention
- Information for new homeschoolers on how to get started
- Monthly e-newsletter
- Sample affidavit forms for homeschoolers
- Dedicated Facebook community
Benefits of a Homeschool Association
Some state homeschool associations require membership dues to receive the full advantage of the organization while others make their resources available to all homeschoolers, regardless of membership. Therefore, you may not have access to some of the perks of an association without joining.
In general, however, a homeschool association often offers these or other tools for homeschooling families:
- Access to people who can answer your specific questions about getting started with homeschooling and staying compliant with state laws
- Legal advice or sometimes even protection in the rare case where your homeschool rights are challenged
- Regular and frequent events designed to empower homeschool families and give them information on how to improve their education experience
- Alignment with local retailers, venues, and services that can offer group discounts to members
- Regular updates about homeschool-related news and events in your state
Additional Resources Related to Homeschooling New Jersey
Have other questions about homeschooling in New Jersey? You may find the following pages helpful.
- Homeschooling in New Jersey
- New Jersey Homeschooling Laws
- New Jersey Homeschool Groups and Co-ops
- Homeschool Field Trips in New Jersey
Welcome to Homeschooling Guide
Download this FREE resource where experienced homeschoolers share their stories for how to begin homeschooling, understanding your child academically, planning your days, and much more.
