RI State Homeschool Organization
Rhode Island Guild of Home Teachers (RIGHT)
RIGHT is a statewide member supported nonprofit that has been supporting homeschoolers since 1987.
RI Homeschool Law
Homeschool families must submit a notice of intent to their local school district, provide the required period of instruction, teach the required subjects, keep attendance records, and review any additional local district requirements. More information can be found at the Rhode Island Department of Education, Rhode Island Guild of Home Teachers, Home School Legal Defense Association.
RI Homeschool Events and Field Trip Destinations
Discover Block Island’s unspoiled beaches, 200 foot cliffs, freshwater ponds, and lush rolling hills under a quilt of wildflowers, described as “one of the last 12 great places in the Western Hemisphere.”
Atlantic Beach Park is a charming landmark and a local Misquamicut summer tradition.
The main attraction is the Herschell-Spillman Carousel, circa. 1915. Always fun to ride for children and adults alike. The main building houses the Windjammer Surf Bar, opening directly onto the oceanfront patio with tables and umbrellas just steps from the beach (perfect for a mom’s lunch). There is live entertainment daily in season from 1 to 5pm on the patio while lounging in Adirondack chairs.
There is also the famous Dusty’s Original Dairy Bar, featuring the best soft-serve ice cream on the beach!
The Mariner Room offers entertainment throughout the summer and can be rented for private functions.
Have a car enthusiast?
Audrain Automobile Museum’s captivating exhibition space features collections containing over 400 cars and motorcycles ranging from brass era Veteran cars to Supercars of today. There are four unique thematic exhibitions each year to entertain all generations and stylistic preferences.
The museum promotes educational events, partnering with local summer camps, and offers field trips and guided tours of the museum.
The museum also supports and educates the Aquidneck Island community through programs and car events, including the Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week, “A Celebration of History, Luxury, & Sport,” held each year in early October.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium
Guided walks, birding classes, lectures, and family programs are offered throughout the year. The facility and trails are handicapped-accessible (ADA-certified). You can also bring your bike!
The Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium is home to natural history interactive exhibits that explore local habitats and wildlife found in the Ocean State. Discover creatures that live in a tidepool, observe marine life from Narragansett Bay, visit with Common Raven Zach, and peek inside a 33-foot life-size model of a North Atlantic Right Whale.
Beavertail Lighthouse & Museum
Beavertail State Park offers some of the most beautiful vistas along the New England coastline. Beavertail’s most popular activity is sightseeing–from the comfort of a vehicle, in one of the four overlooks, or on foot from the rocky coastline. There is also some of the best saltwater fishing in the area, hiking trails, and a naturalist program that attracts hundreds of people each year.
The Biomes Center is New England’s only private marine education facility and the most hands-on aquarium, providing interactive marine biology programs for schools and families.
Their K-12 field trips specialize in teaching children and adults about the marine animals of Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
BAM’s mission is to encourage the creation, promotion, and appreciation of the arts through rotating exhibitions and educational opportunities. BAM aims to enrich the cultural life of the community and region through eclectic exhibitions and educational programs, and to be an accessible community resource for future generations. Check their schedule of art classes!
The Discovery Deck is an interactive, educational exhibit showcasing the maritime industry of Newport and Narragansett Bay which includes boat building, commercial fishing, aquaculture, commercial shipping, the Navy, scientific research, and environmental concerns affecting the Bay. Interactive components include a block and tackle station, maker-space, energy grinder, and sand table. A central AV projector shows vignettes of careers on the Bay, filmed by Rhode Island PBS. Program partners, IYRS and Clean Ocean Access, have interactive exhibits on display as well.
There are five hop-on hop-off stops: Jamestown, Rose Island Lighthouse, Fort Adams, Ann Street Pier, and Perrotti Park.
Visit the shops, restaurants, and attractions at the stops—your ticket is good all day.
Cruises and tours are offered; the Seal Tours are a family favorite. You can also book private charters.
Museum of Natural History and Planetarium
The museum is open daily with Planetarium shows only on Saturdays and Sundays. Planetarium show tickets MUST BE purchased online in advance.
Wee-One Wednesdays is a weekly toddler program for your little one to explore the greenhouses, sit for story time, and engage in a craft activity.
Visitors to the college can enjoy lectures and events, and explore NWC museum. It is a secure naval facility, so visitors without base access (active/retired/dependent military ID or CAC) are subjected to a background check before visiting the base. Contact the museum in advance of your visit.
Newport Art Museum
Numerous programs including classes and workshops for youth and adults, week-long arts camps for kids, community-based programs and partnerships, homeschool at the Museum, family programs, rotating exhibitions, and studio rentals.
Regular admission for ages 17 and under is free. You can schedule field trips with guided tours or take advantage of the “Museum from Home”
The collection consists of 3,000 works in a range of media, concentrating on American art and contemporary art from the 18th century to the present.
The Preservation Society of Newport County’s mission is to preserve an exceptional collection of house museums and landscapes in one of the most historically intact cities in America, connecting people to heritage and open windows to another age.
Get unique insights into the lives of the people who lived and worked in the grand mansions of the Gilded Age in Newport through a guided tour, self-guided audio tour, family audio tour, or guide-led tour.
The Preservation Society of Newport County offers a menu of distinctive opportunities to learn from expert interpreters and enjoy rare experiences.
Schedule your homeschool group field trip at least 3 weeks in advance.
All ages enjoy hands-on exploration of interactive exhibits. Kids become engineers, building bridges or moving water through fountains and locks. Travel through history to meet people who traveled from different lands to make Rhode Island their home. Explore shape and space through spatial thinking puzzles and challenges. Teacher resource packets, visiting tips, and a floor plan are provided to help you pre-plan and customize your group’s learning experience.
Homeschool families will also appreciate the online activities and classes.
Roger Williams National Memorial
The Roger Williams National Memorial commemorates the life of Rhode Island founder and champion of soul freedom.
The visitor center hosts exhibits and a 5-minute film about Roger Williams and early Providence. Outside, the landscaped park includes the site of the spring which provided fresh water to Providence’s inhabitants. Restrooms and drinking water are available only when facilities are open.
Discover the story of the bustling fishing port of Point Judith or the famous legacy of Kenyon’s Department Store. Engage with the storied history of the indigenous peoples of Rhode Island and the elegance of Narragansett Pier’s past. Learn about the traditional crafts of printing, carpentry, and blacksmithing – and even try them for yourself! Homeschool families will love the exhibits and collection of over 20,000 artifacts.
Is homeschooling for you?
The community of homeschool families is diverse. One study reports that 41% of homeschool students are Hispanic, Black, Asian, or other non-White/non-Hispanic groups (2). Homeschoolers come from all faiths – Christians, Jews, Muslims, agnostics, atheists. Teaching parents have a range of formal education, from high school diplomas to graduate degrees, and cover the array of household incomes.
How do you homeschool?
While laws regulating home education vary from state to state, homeschooling IS legal in all 50 states. Many states offer more than one option. One of the first steps in your family’s homeschool journey is to become familiar with the laws in your state. Then the fun begins!
Click on your state below for resources on homeschool regulations, state homeschool organizations, homeschool conventions in your area (here’s why these are amazing for new and experienced homeschool parents), as well as other homeschool perks in your state.
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Disclaimer: Please note that the information on this page is provided for your convenience as a research tool and resource as to where to find the information you need to homeschool in your state. The team at 3 Moms Blog are not attorneys. This content has not been reviewed by an attorney. It is not legal advice.
Brian D. Ray. (2017) A systematic review of the empirical research on selected aspects of homeschooling as a school choice, Journal of School Choice, 11:4, 604-621, accessed April 7, 2023 at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15582159.2017.1395638
US Department of Education. (2019) Homeschooling in the United States: Results from the 2012 and 2016 Parent and Family Involvement Survey (PFINHES: 2012 and 2016). Accessed 4/7/2023 at https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2020/2020001.pdf