Maine Homeschool Requirements Checklist
Everything you need to do to homeschool legally in Maine, based on 20-A MRSA Section 5001-A. Maine is classified as Moderate regulation.
This is the general checklist for Standard Home Instruction, the most common of Maine's 2 pathways. Our free wizard customizes this for your family, including grade, pathway, enrollment status, and IEP.
Your compliance checklist
Do first
File your Notice of Intent
Submit to superintendent of the school administrative unit (SAU) and the commissioner of education (simultaneously). Deadline: within 10 days of the start of home instruction.
Deadline: within 10 days of the start of home instruction
More details
Written notice of intent must be provided simultaneously to school officials of the SAU and the commissioner. One submission through the superintendent's office or online Home Instruction Portal satisfies both requirements. Must include parent/guardian name, signature, address; child's name and age; start date; assurance of 175 days covering required subjects; commitment to annual assessments. This is a notification, not a request for approval -- the superintendent does not approve or deny.
Withdrawal letter recommended
A formal letter isn't required, but it is recommended if your child is enrolled in school. Send it to school principal or school office.
Deadline: Before you start (if enrolled)
More details
If child is currently enrolled in public school, parent should formally withdraw the child and file the letter of intent with the superintendent. The letter of intent effectively serves as notice of home instruction. If the child was never enrolled, only the letter of intent is needed.
Ongoing
Required subjects
English and language arts (reading, writing, spelling, grammar), mathematics, science and technology, social studies (history, geography, economics, civics), physical education and health, library skills, fine arts (music and visual arts), Maine studies (Maine history, geography, and government — in at least one grade from 6 to 12), computer proficiency (demonstrated at one grade level from 7 to 12)
More details
Statute specifies subject areas but does not prescribe particular curriculum, textbooks, or instructional methodology. Maine studies required in at least one grade from 6-12; computer proficiency must be demonstrated at one grade level from 7-12. Subjects should be appropriate to the child's grade level and ability.
Meet instructional time requirements
Minimum: 175 days/year. You must track and document hours.
More details
175 instructional days per year required, aligned with Maine public school minimum. No statutory minimum hours per day specified. Families should maintain records sufficient to demonstrate 175 days of instruction.
Show your child's progress
Standardized test or Teacher evaluation or Portfolio review or Other approved method — annually.
More details
Parent chooses from approved assessment methods: (1) standardized achievement test (e.g., California Achievement Test, Stanford, Iowa) per Commissioner-approved list; (2) review and acceptance of progress by a Maine certified teacher; (3) review by a homeschool support group that includes a Maine certified teacher or administrator who has reviewed a portfolio; (4) review by a local advisory board appointed by the superintendent; (5) participation in school administrative unit testing with prior permission. Results must be submitted to superintendent by September 1 of the following school year.
Keep basic records
You must maintain: attendance records.
More details
Families should maintain: copies of letter of intent, attendance records documenting 175 days, description of curriculum/educational program, work samples, assessment results, and correspondence with school district. No specific retention period mandated. Portfolio not formally required but recommended for assessment purposes.
Renew each year
You must renew your homeschool notice each year by on or before September 1 of each year.
More details
Annual letter of intent with prior-year assessment results due on or before September 1. The '10 days' deadline applies only to the initial filing. The annual letter must enclose the year-end assessment and state whether the parent intends to continue home instruction. No requirement to submit detailed curriculum plans, lesson plans, or instructional logs.
Filing requirements
- What to file
- simple notice
- Send to
- superintendent of the school administrative unit (SAU) and the commissioner of education (simultaneously)
- Deadline
- within 10 days of the start of home instruction
- How often
- annual
Written notice of intent must be provided simultaneously to school officials of the SAU and the commissioner. One submission through the superintendent's office or online Home Instruction Portal satisfies both requirements. Must include parent/guardian name, signature, address; child's name and age; start date; assurance of 175 days covering required subjects; commitment to annual assessments. This is a notification, not a request for approval -- the superintendent does not approve or deny.
20-A MRSA 5001-A
Ongoing requirements
Required subjects
- ✓English and language arts (reading, writing, spelling, grammar)
- ✓mathematics
- ✓science and technology
- ✓social studies (history, geography, economics, civics)
- ✓physical education and health
- ✓library skills
- ✓fine arts (music and visual arts)
- ✓Maine studies (Maine history, geography, and government — in at least one grade from 6 to 12)
- ✓computer proficiency (demonstrated at one grade level from 7 to 12)
Statute specifies subject areas but does not prescribe particular curriculum, textbooks, or instructional methodology. Maine studies required in at least one grade from 6-12; computer proficiency must be demonstrated at one grade level from 7-12. Subjects should be appropriate to the child's grade level and ability.
20-A MRSA 5001-A
Instructional time
- Days per year:
- 175
175 instructional days per year required, aligned with Maine public school minimum. No statutory minimum hours per day specified. Families should maintain records sufficient to demonstrate 175 days of instruction.
20-A MRSA 5001-A
Testing and assessment
- Accepted types
- Standardized test, Teacher evaluation, Portfolio review, Other approved method
- Frequency
- annually
Parent chooses from approved assessment methods: (1) standardized achievement test (e.g., California Achievement Test, Stanford, Iowa) per Commissioner-approved list; (2) review and acceptance of progress by a Maine certified teacher; (3) review by a homeschool support group that includes a Maine certified teacher or administrator who has reviewed a portfolio; (4) review by a local advisory board appointed by the superintendent; (5) participation in school administrative unit testing with prior permission. Results must be submitted to superintendent by September 1 of the following school year.
See our full assessment guide for Maine for details.
20-A MRSA 5001-A
Recordkeeping
- ✓Attendance records
Families should maintain: copies of letter of intent, attendance records documenting 175 days, description of curriculum/educational program, work samples, assessment results, and correspondence with school district. No specific retention period mandated. Portfolio not formally required but recommended for assessment purposes.
20-A MRSA 5001-A
Reporting
- Annual renewal
- Required by on or before September 1 of each year
Annual letter of intent with prior-year assessment results due on or before September 1. The '10 days' deadline applies only to the initial filing. The annual letter must enclose the year-end assessment and state whether the parent intends to continue home instruction. No requirement to submit detailed curriculum plans, lesson plans, or instructional logs.
20-A MRSA 5001-A
Other ways to homeschool in Maine
This checklist covers Standard Home Instruction, the most common pathway. Maine offers 2 different ways to homeschool, each with different requirements:
- •Standard Home Instruction(this checklist) : You file a letter of intent with your local superintendent within 10 days of starting, teach eight required subjects (including Maine studies and library skills) for 175 days, and submit annual assessment results by September 1. You choose from several assessment options: standardized test, certified teacher review, or portfolio evaluation.
- •Approved Private School or Correspondence Program : You enroll in an approved private school or DOE-approved correspondence/distance learning program that handles compliance on your behalf. No letter of intent to the superintendent, no annual assessment submission, and no required subject list from the state. Best for families who prefer a structured program or want to avoid the annual assessment requirement.
Our wizard helps you choose the right one. Compare all pathways for Maine
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 Maine checklistRequirements sourced from 20-A MRSA Section 5001-A. Verified against primary legal sources. Last verified: March 2026