School Choice

School Choice and Homeschool in Rhode Island

Private school choice programs, charter schools, homeschool rules and private schools in Rhode Island. Facts as of November 2026.

Choice programs1All limited by eligibility
Charter schoolsAllowedPublic charter law
Homeschool noticeYesTesting: No

Private school choice programs

How they work ›

Tax Credits for Contributions to Scholarship Organizations

Tax-credit scholarship Limited Enacted 2006

Limited to school-age students in qualified nonpublic schools whose household income is at most 250% of the federal poverty guidelines; businesses receive a credit (up to $100,000 per business per year) for gifts to qualified scholarship organizations.

R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 44-62 (P.L. 2006, ch. 246, art. 24); administered by the Division of Taxation; the total credit is limited (about $298,750 was available for the July 1, 2026 round). A 2026 bill (S 2817) proposing changes was seen but its status was not confirmed.

Official source

Charter schools

Rhode Island has a public charter school law.

Official source

Homeschool rules

Parents present an at-home instruction plan to the local school committee, which approves or denies it based on statutory requirements (attendance period, required subjects taught thoroughly and efficiently). The statute sets no state testing requirement and no minimum parent education. Check your state's law before you start.

Notice: Yes Testing: No

Law: R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-19-2. Official source

Private schools in Rhode Island

The private school list will appear here after the first scheduled update.

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Sources: Rhode Island Division of Taxation: Scholarship Credit, R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-62-2 (Scholarship organization qualification), R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-62-5 (Limitations), Rhode Island Department of Education: Home Schooling, R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-19-2, R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-77-1 (Charter Public School Act), NCES Private School Universe Survey. State facts as of November 2026. Check your state's law before you start.