How to Start Homeschooling in Maine

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Maine. The state calls it "home instruction" under 20-A MRSA Section 5001-A.

Maine treats a home instruction program as one of its equivalent instruction alternatives. The law lays out what families do: send a notice of intent, cover the required subjects, provide at least 175 days of instruction, and complete an annual assessment.

Your notice of intent is a notification. You file it, and you teach.

Maine's compulsory education covers ages 6 through 17. If your child is younger than 6 and not enrolled in school, you do not need to file anything yet.

One detail to know: a separate rule applies to a 5-year-old who is already enrolled in public school. If your 5-year-old is enrolled and you want to switch to home instruction, check with your school officials about withdrawing.

Learning how to homeschool in Maine starts with a simple notice. Here is your step-by-step plan.

Step 1: Decide on your assessment method first. Some assessment options (a standardized test through your local school unit, a test developed by your school officials, or a local advisory board review) need your school officials' agreement before you send your notice of intent. A review by a certified Maine teacher or a portfolio review by a support group does not. Choosing now keeps every option open.

Step 2: Write your notice of intent. Include: (1) your name, signature, and address; (2) your child's name and age; (3) the date home instruction will begin; (4) a statement that your program will provide at least 175 days of instruction annually in the required subject areas; and (5) a statement that your program will include an annual assessment of your child's progress. No notarization is needed. Assessment results are not part of your first notice.

Step 3: Send it to two places within 10 days. Send your notice at the same time to the school officials of your local school administrative unit and to the Commissioner of Education, within 10 calendar days of beginning home instruction. Keep a copy for your records.

Step 4: If your child is enrolled, confirm the withdrawal steps. A separate withdrawal letter is not required by state law. Your notice of intent to your local school officials and the Commissioner is the required filing.

Step 5: Teach for at least 175 days. Maine sets 175 days of instruction per year and no daily hour count. You choose the materials and methods.

Step 6: Complete your annual assessment. On or before September 1 of each following year, send a continuation letter with a copy of your assessment to your local school officials and the Commissioner.

Under 20-A MRSA Section 5001-A, Maine has two filings. Both go to the school officials of your local school administrative unit and to the Commissioner of Education.

The initial notice of intent. Send this within 10 calendar days of beginning home instruction. It includes your name, signature, and address; your child's name and age; the start date; an assurance of at least 175 days of instruction in the required subject areas; and an assurance of an annual assessment. No notarization is needed.

The annual continuation letter. Due on or before September 1 of each subsequent year of home instruction. State that you intend to continue home instruction, and enclose a copy of one form of annual assessment of your child's progress.

Keep copies of everything you file until your home instruction program ends. The records must be made available to the Commissioner on request.

Maine's required subject areas under 20-A MRSA Section 5001-A are:

• English and language arts
• Math
• Science
• Social studies
• Physical education
• Health education
• Library skills
• Fine arts
• Maine studies, in at least one grade from 6 to 12
• Computer proficiency: in one grade from 7 to 12, your child demonstrates proficiency in using computers

Library skills and Maine studies are distinctive to Maine. A library visit, a research project, or a trip to a historical society are natural ways to cover them.

The statute names subject areas but does not prescribe curriculum, textbooks, or methods. You have full creative freedom in how you cover them.

Maine requires at least 175 days of instruction per year under 20-A MRSA Section 5001-A. The statute sets days only, with no daily or annual hour count.

An attendance log is not required by state law. Keep copies of what you file (your notice and yearly letters with assessments) until home instruction ends; the Commissioner may ask to see them (20-A MRSA §5001-A(3)(A)(4)(c)).

Maine requires one annual assessment of your child's academic progress. You pick the method from these options under 20-A MRSA Section 5001-A:

Standardized achievement test. Given through your local school unit or through other arrangements approved by the Commissioner. If you use your local school unit, your school officials must agree to it before you send your notice of intent.

Local test. A test developed by your local school officials for your child's program. This also needs their agreement before you send your notice of intent.

Certified teacher review. A review and acceptance of your child's progress by an identified person who holds a current Maine teacher's certificate.

Support group portfolio review. A review and acceptance of your child's progress, based on a portfolio presentation, by a local homeschool support group whose members for this purpose include a currently certified Maine teacher or administrator.

Local advisory board. A review and acceptance by a board selected by your superintendent, made up of one school unit employee and two home instruction tutors. This needs your school officials' agreement before you send your notice of intent.

Send a copy of your assessment with your continuation letter on or before September 1 each year to your local school officials and the Commissioner. The statute does not set a minimum test score.

Maine gives you two pathways to homeschool legally.

Pathway 1: Standard Home Instruction. Send a notice of intent to your local school officials and the Commissioner. Teach the required subject areas. Provide at least 175 days of instruction. Complete an annual assessment. This guide covers this pathway.

Pathway 2: Approved Private School or Correspondence Program. Enroll in an approved private school, which files a certificate showing your child's name, residence, and attendance with your local school officials. The family files nothing itself and has no separate subject, testing or record-keeping duty under state law. The school carries the approval requirements, such as employing certified teachers and teaching the required courses (20-A MRSA §2902).

Maine has no umbrella school statute and no religious exemption.

Take advantage of public school access. Under 20-A MRSA Section 5021, your child may enroll in classes at the local public school and take part in co-curricular, extracurricular, and interscholastic activities. Schools are permitted but not mandated to allow this as space and resources allow, and individual school policies may apply. Ask your school what is available.

Look into the Aspirations Program. Maine's Aspirations Program can cover up to 12 college credits for home instruction students. Contact your local public school to learn how to enroll.

You do not need teaching credentials. Maine's statute defines a home instruction tutor as the parent, guardian, or other person who acts as the primary teacher. No teaching certificate or degree is required.

Create your own diploma and transcripts. Maine has no state homeschool diploma or transcript template. Make your own, and build the transcript as you go through high school. Students wanting an equivalency credential can take the GED or HiSET.

Plan carefully if your child has an IEP. Children with IEPs who withdraw for home instruction may lose district-provided services. Your district must still evaluate your child under federal Child Find if you suspect a disability. Talk to your district's special education coordinator before making the switch.

There is no state homeschool funding. Maine does not offer an ESA or voucher program for home instruction families. Maine's town tuitioning system applies to students in towns without public schools at certain grade levels; after Carson v. Makin (2022), religious schools are included. Check with your town office to see whether it applies to you.

Connect with other Maine homeschoolers. Homeschoolers of Maine (HOME) is a statewide support organization that can help you find support groups and assessment options near you.