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Maryland Homeschool Documents & Templates

Every document you need to homeschool legally in Maryland, based on COMAR 13A.10.01.

These are general templates for Home Instruction Supervised by the Local School System, the most common of Maryland's 2 pathways. Our free wizard generates personalized documents with your name, address, and district filled in.

What documents do you need?

Notice of Intent

Required. Send to local school superintendent or designated office by at least 15 days before the start of home instruction

Annual Renewal

Required by Before beginning of each school year (annual verification)

Notice of Intent

What to file
simple notice
Send to
local school superintendent or designated office
Deadline
at least 15 days before the start of home instruction
How often
one time
Free-form letter accepted?
Yes. You can write your own letter instead of using an official form.

Your notice must include:

  • •child's name
  • •child's age
  • •child's grade level
  • •parent/guardian name
  • •parent/guardian address
  • •list of subjects to be taught
Practical tip: The Notice of Consent form is prescribed by the State Department of Education. Submit it to the local superintendent at least 15 days before you begin. Annual verification is simpler than the initial filing. Local school systems may not impose additional requirements beyond COMAR 13A.10.01.

COMAR 13A.10.01.01(B) (notification to local superintendent at least 15 days before instruction begins)

First-time vs. renewal

First-time filing

Deadline: At least 15 days before beginning instruction

Annual renewal

Deadline: Before beginning of each school year (annual verification)

If withdrawing from school

Status
Not required, but recommended to prevent truancy concerns
Send to
current school and local school system homeschool office
Notice period:
15 days
Practical tip: The 15-day advance notice is a notification requirement, not an approval process. You do not need permission to begin home instruction. Some districts may request a conference but cannot require approval before you start.

Md. Code, Education Article, Section 7-301 (compulsory attendance; home instruction as alternative)

Annual Renewal

Deadline
Before beginning of each school year (annual verification)

COMAR 13A.10.01.01(D) (portfolio review as primary reporting mechanism)

Recordkeeping requirements

Varies by pathway. Home Instruction Supervised by the Local School System: ["work_samples","instructional_materials","writing_samples"]; Umbrella Program or Church-Exempt School: undefined

  • ✓Student portfolio

Records may be reviewed by the district.

Portfolio must include:

  • •work samples
  • •instructional materials used
  • •writing samples
Practical tip: Portfolio must demonstrate regular, thorough instruction in all eight required subjects. Include instructional materials, reading materials, writing examples, worksheets, workbooks, creative materials, and tests. Must be available for the school system reviewer at scheduled intervals.

COMAR 13A.10.01.01(D) (portfolio with work samples, materials evidence, and instructional log)

Other ways to homeschool in Maryland

This page covers Home Instruction Supervised by the Local School System. Maryland offers 2 different ways to homeschool, and each may require different documents:

  • •
    Home Instruction Supervised by the Local School System(this page): You notify your local school superintendent at least 15 days before starting and teach eight required subjects including art, music, and PE. A school-system reviewer inspects your portfolio up to three times per year (typically at each semester's end) to verify regular, thorough instruction. No standardized testing required — the portfolio review is the primary accountability mechanism.
  • •
    Umbrella Program or Church-Exempt School: You enroll in an umbrella program or church-exempt school that handles oversight instead of the local school system. No state-mandated portfolio reviews, no required subject list from the state, and no direct reporting to the school district. Best for families affiliated with a church organization or who want to avoid the three-times-per-year portfolio review of the standard pathway.

Our wizard helps you choose the right one and generates the correct documents. Compare all pathways for Maryland

Get your personalized documents

These are general templates. The wizard generates documents with your name, address, and district already filled in, ready to download and send.

Get your Maryland documents

Requirements sourced from COMAR 13A.10.01. Verified against primary legal sources. Last verified: March 2026