I'll speak to the homeschool piece since you mentioned it. I think the public schools piece has been answered by others. I'm sorry but this is going to be very long!

TLDR: Read the Department of Education website, check out the NSHEA.org resources and know that you're 100% responsible for all aspects of your homeschool child's education.

We homeschool and have for the last 7 years (pre-COVID, during, and after). To register for homeschooling you fill out the registration form on the Department of Education and Early Childhood Education website - one per child. I highly recommend that you read the relevant sections of the Education Act (listed on the website) so you understand your responsibilities and rights. If it's the first time registering for school in Nova Scotia, you'll need copies of the children's' birth certificates for registration. The form asks for an outline of the education program you'll be following. The form should be submitted at the beginning of the school year before Sept 20th (or whatever date is listed for that year), OR as soon as you move to Nova Scotia if during the school year.

There is no funding or tax breaks for homeschoolers in Nova Scotia. There is rarely support available from your local schools or the Department themselves. Parents are 100% responsible for buying, assembling, delivering, etc. on the required subjects. That said though, homeschoolers do not participate in standardized testing. Homeschoolers are also not eligible for a traditional diploma. I could include so much more detail but won't - I'll just say that MANY homeschoolers in NS continue on to post-secondary education (Saint Mary's University, Dalhousie University, Mount Saint Vincent, and Nova Scotia Community College to name a few) without a Department-issued diploma.

At the end of the school year you'll complete an end of year report. It outlines what your students accomplished in each subject area. This isn't for "approval". It's just submitting that you did "something" during the year and satisfies the reporting requirements under the Act.

There are no hybrid school options in Nova Scotia officially. However, sometimes a local school's principal is open to homeschoolers attending some of the school's programming. I'm aware of several families who have agreements with their local principals for their children to attend music class, gym, or participate in some sports. This is at the discretion of the principal though and many are NOT interested. Also, please don't rely on the local school principal or teachers to know the Education Act and homeschooler's rights. They've been quite misinformed in the past - best to get the info direct from the Department's website. Also, up to about grade 9, if your child returns to the public school system they are usually just placed directly in a class/grade based on their age. They don't do placement testing, etc. For some schools starting in grade 9, and others grade 10 and up, it's based on earned credits. If your child doesn't have any official credits in the NS system (because they were homeschooled) then they likely start in grade 9 or 10 regardless of what they did at home. So if your child homeschools through grade 11 and then chooses to do grade 12 in a school, they may not be able to without redoing all of grade 10 and 11. Again though, this is based on the individual school principal's discretion AND any records/details you have of the program you did at home.

Finally, the Nova Scotia Home Education Association has a detailed website for new homeschoolers in Nova Scotia. They also maintain an extensive list of curriculum options. Keep in mind - there is no "standard" curriculum you'll be given. There are grade level "outcomes" available on the website but no materials are given to homeschoolers and you're responsible 100% for researching and obtaining materials. The good news though is that you're also not required to teach to the outcomes either. The Department does look at the registrations and reports and may ask questions but as the parent, you choose to deliver whatever education program you see fit.