A significant and increasing number of students in New York State are home-schooled. In response, parents of home-schooled students have formed groups and associations which support their efforts. NYSSO encourages all New York State students to participate in Science Olympiad activities and has formulated the following policy:

All New York State students in grades 6-12 are eligible to participate in NYSSO activities. Students who are home-schooled and who would be placed in grades 6-12 if they were to attend formal public or private schools are encouraged to participate in NYSSO activities. A home-schooled student may participate by joining an existing team in the school district in which he or she lives. NYSSO encourages school districts to invite eligible and qualified home-school students to participate on local teams.

Alternatively, an association of home-school parents whose children all live within one of NYSSO's regions may sponsor a Science Olympiad team for competition in either the B (middle school) or C (high school) division. A team must be composed of students whose ages and educational achievements would place them in the grade levels prescribed by the National Science Olympiad for the division in which the team applies to compete. The home-school association must apply in the same manner as a school district and pay the standard fees. A member of the association must take the responsibility assumed by the principal in a competing school and a home-school team must have two coaches present at a regional or state competition.

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NYSSO sends Coaches Manuals by first class mail. The post office returns all first class mail that is undeliverable. Since manuals which are not returned must have been delivered to a school, NYSSO will charge a $15.00 fee to provide another manual to a school.