Massachusetts Homeschool Requirements Checklist
Everything you need to do to homeschool legally in Massachusetts, based on M.G.L. c.76 Section 1 (Compulsory Attendance). Massachusetts is classified as High regulation.
This is the general checklist for Prior Approval by Superintendent / School Committee. Our free wizard customizes this for your family, including grade, pathway, enrollment status, and IEP.
Your compliance checklist
Do first
Request approval
Submit your education plan to local superintendent of schools or school committee and wait for approval before beginning instruction. Deadline: Before beginning homeschool instruction. Returning families typically submit in spring or summer for the upcoming school year. Specific deadlines vary by district..
Deadline: Before beginning homeschool instruction. Returning families typically submit in spring or summer for the upcoming school year. Specific deadlines vary by district.
Withdrawal letter recommended
A formal letter isn't required, but it is recommended if your child is enrolled in school. Send it to local school and superintendent's office.
Deadline: Before you start (if enrolled)
Ongoing
Required subjects
reading, writing, English language and grammar, mathematics, science, history (including U.S. history and U.S. Constitution), geography, civics / good citizenship
Show your child's progress
Standardized test or Portfolio review or Teacher evaluation or Other approved method — annually.
Submit annual progress reports
Submit annual progress reports to local superintendent or school committee. Annual renewal also required.
Good news
No instructional time minimums
No minimum hours or days of instruction required.
Filing requirements
- What to file
- approval required
- Send to
- local superintendent of schools or school committee
- Deadline
- Before beginning homeschool instruction. Returning families typically submit in spring or summer for the upcoming school year. Specific deadlines vary by district.
- How often
- annual
M.G.L. c.76 Section 1; Care and Protection of Charles, 399 Mass. 324 (1987)
Ongoing requirements
Required subjects
- ✓reading
- ✓writing
- ✓English language and grammar
- ✓mathematics
- ✓science
- ✓history (including U.S. history and U.S. Constitution)
- ✓geography
- ✓civics / good citizenship
Testing and assessment
- Accepted types
- Standardized test, Portfolio review, Teacher evaluation, Other approved method
- Frequency
- annually
See our full assessment guide for Massachusetts for details.
M.G.L. c.76 Section 1; Care and Protection of Charles, 399 Mass. 324 (1987)
Reporting
- Progress reports
- annual reports to local superintendent or school committee
- Annual renewal
- Required
What you don't need to worry about
No instructional time minimums
No minimum hours or days of instruction required.
Get your personalized checklist
This is the general checklist for the most common pathway. The wizard customizes it for your family's specific situation, including grade, pathway, and IEP status.
Get your Massachusetts checklistRequirements sourced from M.G.L. c.76 Section 1 (Compulsory Attendance). Verified against primary legal sources. Last verified: March 2026