How to Start Homeschooling in Massachusetts

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Massachusetts.

Homeschooling falls under the compulsory attendance statute, M.G.L. c.76 Section 1. That law says children must attend public school unless "otherwise instructed in a manner approved in advance by the superintendent or the school committee." That phrase is your legal foundation.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) explains that the district where your child lives approves and oversees home schooling, with a focus on whether "instruction in all the studies required by law equals in thoroughness and efficiency, and in the progress made therein, that in the public schools in the same town." Requirements that apply to public schools, such as educator licensing and structured learning time, do not apply to home schooling.

Massachusetts court decisions, including Care and Protection of Charles (1987) and Brunelle v. Lynn (1998), also shape how districts review home schooling plans. If you have questions about how they apply to your situation, a homeschool legal organization can help.

Massachusetts compulsory school age is 6 through 16. Attendance begins in September of the calendar year in which your child turns 6, and districts may set policies within the limits of the state regulation.

The advance-approval requirement applies to children of compulsory school age. If your child is younger, ask your district whether anything is needed yet.

Here is how to start homeschooling in Massachusetts, step by step.

Step 1: Notify your district. Contact the school district where you live, preferably in writing, and tell them you plan to educate your child at home. This is the first step in the approval process. Notification alone does not authorize you to begin.

Step 2: Get the district's policy. Once the district receives your notification, it must give you its policy and process for approving home schooling and ask you to submit a proposed plan. Ask about forms, deadlines, and how renewals work.

Step 3: Write your home schooling plan. Districts typically review a plan for its content, instructional materials, duration and frequency of instruction, methods of instruction, and evaluation (how your child's progress will be shown). Follow your district's policy for what to include.

Step 4: Wait for the district's decision. The district will approve your plan, ask for changes or more information, or disapprove it. It must tell you its decision, preferably in writing, within a reasonable period. Keep copies of everything you send and receive.

Step 5: Withdraw from school after approval. Do not remove your child from school until your plan is approved. Removing a child of compulsory school age without an approved plan would cause the child to become truant.

Step 6: Start teaching. Follow your approved plan and begin your homeschool year.

Step 7: Follow your district's renewal and evaluation schedule. How often approval is renewed, and how and when progress is reported, are set by your district's policy.

There is no statewide homeschool form in Massachusetts. You notify your district, then submit a home schooling plan under your district's policy.

Districts typically review a plan for:

• Content (the subjects you will teach)
• Instructional materials
• Duration and frequency of instruction
• Methods of instruction
• Evaluation of your child's progress

Everything goes to your local superintendent or school committee. DESE does not approve home schooling plans or review districts' decisions. Your district's policy sets any deadlines and how often you renew.

Keep a simple binder with your plan, the approval letter, and all correspondence.

Districts review whether your instruction covers "all the studies required by law." The subjects listed for public schools in M.G.L. c.71 Section 1 are:

• Orthography (spelling)
• Reading
• Writing
• English language and grammar
• Geography
• Arithmetic
• Drawing
• Music
• History and constitution of the United States
• Duties of citizenship
• Health education
• Physical education
• Good behavior

How this list applies to home schooling is set through your district's approval policy, so check what your district expects to see in your plan. You choose the curriculum, materials, and methods that fit your child.

Evaluation is part of the home schooling plan your district reviews. The method, how often it happens, and what you report are set through your district's approval policy. Results go to your school district.

State law does not name a required test or evaluation method. Under G.L. c. 76, § 1 the method is agreed through your district's approval of your plan, so propose the method you prefer in your plan.

Your district matters more than the state. The law gives approval power to your local superintendent or school committee, and each school committee adopts its own policy. Ask your district for its written policy early. Statewide groups such as the Massachusetts Home Learning Association (MHLA) and MassHOPE can connect you with other local families.

If your plan is not approved. The district may ask for changes or more information rather than disapprove outright. Read its response closely and address each point. DESE does not review districts' decisions, so questions go to your district first. A homeschool legal organization can help if you believe your plan was wrongly denied.

Moving towns means a new approval. Home schooling plans are approved by the district where your child lives. When you move, contact your new district right away and follow its process.

Plan for high school early. You create the transcript and issue the diploma. There is no state homeschool diploma or transcript template. Track courses, grades, and credits as you go.

Special education. Under Massachusetts law, home-schooled students have a right to special education services, and districts must evaluate students suspected of having a disability. Contact your district's special education office to ask how services are provided to home-schooled students.

Sports and activities. Each district decides whether home-schooled students may join its courses, programs, or extracurricular activities, including athletics. Ask your district about its policy.