How to Withdraw Your Child from School in Newfoundland
A lot of parents in Newfoundland assume they can simply notify the principal and start homeschooling the next week. That is not how it works here. Under the Schools Act, 1997, your child cannot legally stop attending school until the province approves your application. Skipping that step puts you in breach of compulsory attendance laws — even if you are already teaching your child at home.
Here is exactly what the process looks like, from first form to first day of homeschooling.
The One Thing That Makes NL Different
Most Canadian provinces let parents file a notice and begin homeschooling within days. Newfoundland and Labrador requires prior approval. You must submit Form 312A to your regional coordinator and wait for written approval before your child's attendance at school legally ends.
Until that approval arrives, your child is still legally required to attend. This surprises parents who have already given the principal verbal notice — verbal notice means nothing until Form 312A is processed.
Step 1 — Get and Submit Form 312A
Form 312A is the provincial homeschooling application. It asks for basic information: your child's name, grade, current school, your reasons for wanting to homeschool, and your intended curriculum approach.
You submit it to the regional coordinator for your area, not to the school directly:
- Eastern Region (Avalon Peninsula): [email protected]
- Central Region: [email protected]
- Western Region: [email protected]
- Labrador: [email protected]
Email is the fastest method. Keep a copy of every email you send and every reply you receive.
Step 2 — Wait for Written Approval
Processing time varies. Most families hear back within one to two weeks during normal periods of the year. If you apply close to the Easter deadline (see below), expect slower responses as coordinators handle higher volumes.
Do not pull your child from school while you wait. Your child must continue attending until you have written confirmation that Form 312A has been approved. Once you have that confirmation in writing, the withdrawal is legally complete.
Free Download
Get the Newfoundland and Labrador Homeschool Quick-Start Checklist
Everything in this article as a printable checklist — plus action plans and reference guides you can start using today.
Step 3 — Notify the School in Writing
Once you have approval, you should still send a brief written notice to the school principal. This is not legally required, but it serves two practical purposes: it creates a clear paper trail, and it prompts the school to formally close out your child's attendance records.
The school will assign an attendance code of "H" (home education) to your child's record. They technically remain registered at their zoned school under that code, which is a quirk of how NL administers home education — the province tracks the numbers through the school system.
Step 4 — Set Up Your Home Education Programme
After approval, you are responsible for providing a programme of study aligned with the provincial curriculum for your child's grade. Your regional coordinator can provide guidance on what this involves. You will also be subject to annual review, so keeping records from day one matters.
Common Questions
Can I withdraw mid-year? Yes, but applications submitted after the Easter Break are typically denied unless you have extenuating circumstances — more on that in a dedicated post on mid-year withdrawals.
What if we recently moved to NL? Military postings and similar relocations are recognised as extenuating circumstances. Contact your regional coordinator directly to explain your situation before submitting Form 312A.
Is NL more regulated than other provinces? Yes. In the 2023–24 school year, approximately 222 students were registered for home education in Newfoundland and Labrador — a small number compared to other provinces, and the approval-before-withdrawal requirement is one reason the administrative overhead feels heavier here.
What about deregistering from a private school? The same Form 312A process applies. The regional coordinator handles all home education applications regardless of what type of school your child currently attends.
What to Have Ready Before You Start
Gather these before you contact the regional coordinator:
- Your child's full legal name, date of birth, and student number
- Name and address of the current school
- The grade your child is completing
- A brief description of your planned homeschool approach (curriculum resources, teaching method)
Having this ready means you can complete Form 312A in a single sitting and get it submitted the same day you decide to move forward.
If you want the complete process — Form 312A walkthrough, a ready-to-send withdrawal letter, approval timeline, and what to do if the coordinator pushes back — the Newfoundland and Labrador Legal Withdrawal Blueprint covers everything in one place.
Get Your Free Newfoundland and Labrador Homeschool Quick-Start Checklist
Download the Newfoundland and Labrador Homeschool Quick-Start Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.