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.
More details
Massachusetts requires prior approval, not mere notification. The parent must submit an education plan covering: subjects to be taught, materials to be used, approximate hours of instruction, methods of instruction, qualifications of the instructor (parent), and proposed method of assessment. There is no statewide form; each district has its own process. Until approval is received, the child is technically subject to compulsory attendance at the public school. Requirements vary significantly by district. The superintendent cannot exercise 'unbridled discretion' in approving or disapproving plans (Charles).
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)
More details
No specific homeschool withdrawal statute. Recommended process: (1) submit education plan to superintendent for approval first, (2) receive written approval, (3) then notify the school in writing of withdrawal. Because Massachusetts requires prior approval, withdrawing a child without an approved plan may result in truancy proceedings under M.G.L. c.76 Section 2. Keep copies of all correspondence. Send withdrawal letters via certified mail or obtain written confirmation. Request copies of child's educational records (transcript, test scores, IEP if applicable) per FERPA rights. Mid-year withdrawal is permitted but the family must still obtain approval before starting.
Ongoing
Required subjects
reading, writing, English language and grammar, mathematics, science, history (including U.S. history and U.S. Constitution), geography, civics / good citizenship
More details
M.G.L. c.76 Section 1 does not enumerate specific required subjects for homeschoolers. The required subjects derive from statutes governing public school curricula (M.G.L. c.71 Section 1 and M.G.L. c.69 Section 1D). Some districts may also expect physical education, health education, arts, or foreign language (particularly at secondary level), but these are not universally required. Districts cannot require alignment with Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, specific textbooks, or teaching subjects in the same sequence as public schools (Charles, Brunelle). The education plan must demonstrate adequate education in essential areas but need not mirror the public school curriculum.
Show your child's progress
Standardized test or Portfolio review or Teacher evaluation or Other approved method — annually.
More details
Assessment of progress is required as part of the approval/re-approval process, but the method varies by district and must be mutually agreed upon between the family and district (Charles, Brunelle). School committees may NOT require standardized testing as the exclusive means of evaluation (Charles). Common methods: standardized testing (ITBS, Stanford, CAT, MAP), portfolio review, narrative evaluation by a licensed teacher or qualified professional, written progress report by the parent, or a combination. Home visits for evaluation may NOT be required (Brunelle). Homeschooled students are not required to take the MCAS.
Submit annual progress reports
Submit annual progress reports to local superintendent or school committee. Annual renewal also required.
More details
Primary reporting obligation is the annual re-approval process: submit a new or updated education plan for the upcoming year, plus evidence of previous year's progress through the agreed-upon assessment method. Some districts also require mid-year check-ins or progress reports. Some districts require notification if the curriculum plan changes significantly during the year. All reporting is to the local superintendent or school committee -- there is no state-level reporting to DESE. Renewal deadlines vary by district.
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
Massachusetts requires prior approval, not mere notification. The parent must submit an education plan covering: subjects to be taught, materials to be used, approximate hours of instruction, methods of instruction, qualifications of the instructor (parent), and proposed method of assessment. There is no statewide form; each district has its own process. Until approval is received, the child is technically subject to compulsory attendance at the public school. Requirements vary significantly by district. The superintendent cannot exercise 'unbridled discretion' in approving or disapproving plans (Charles).
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
M.G.L. c.76 Section 1 does not enumerate specific required subjects for homeschoolers. The required subjects derive from statutes governing public school curricula (M.G.L. c.71 Section 1 and M.G.L. c.69 Section 1D). Some districts may also expect physical education, health education, arts, or foreign language (particularly at secondary level), but these are not universally required. Districts cannot require alignment with Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, specific textbooks, or teaching subjects in the same sequence as public schools (Charles, Brunelle). The education plan must demonstrate adequate education in essential areas but need not mirror the public school curriculum.
M.G.L. c.71 Section 1; M.G.L. c.69 Section 1D
Testing and assessment
- Accepted types
- Standardized test, Portfolio review, Teacher evaluation, Other approved method
- Frequency
- annually
Assessment of progress is required as part of the approval/re-approval process, but the method varies by district and must be mutually agreed upon between the family and district (Charles, Brunelle). School committees may NOT require standardized testing as the exclusive means of evaluation (Charles). Common methods: standardized testing (ITBS, Stanford, CAT, MAP), portfolio review, narrative evaluation by a licensed teacher or qualified professional, written progress report by the parent, or a combination. Home visits for evaluation may NOT be required (Brunelle). Homeschooled students are not required to take the MCAS.
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
Primary reporting obligation is the annual re-approval process: submit a new or updated education plan for the upcoming year, plus evidence of previous year's progress through the agreed-upon assessment method. Some districts also require mid-year check-ins or progress reports. Some districts require notification if the curriculum plan changes significantly during the year. All reporting is to the local superintendent or school committee -- there is no state-level reporting to DESE. Renewal deadlines vary by district.
M.G.L. c.76 Section 1
What you don't need to worry about
No instructional time minimums
No minimum hours or days of instruction required.
Related guides
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