How to Start Homeschooling in Maine

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

Maine treats home instruction as one of its equivalent instruction alternatives. The law lays out exactly what families do. File a letter of intent. Cover required subjects. Teach for 175 days. Complete an annual assessment. That is the complete picture. No surprises.

Here is what matters most. Your letter of intent is a notification, not a request for permission. The superintendent does not approve or deny your program. You file it. You teach. Many parents worry they need someone's blessing to start. You do not. Filing your letter is all it takes.

Maine's compulsory education covers ages 6 through 17. Under 20-A MRSA Section 5001, children must attend school from age 6 until their 17th birthday. Kindergarten is not compulsory. If your child is younger than 6, teach at home without filing a thing.

Two early-exit options exist. A 15-year-old can leave school with both parent permission and school board approval. A student attending an accredited college full-time can leave with commissioner approval. These are narrow exceptions, but worth knowing if they apply to your family.

Maine's compulsory range is narrower than some neighbors. Connecticut and New Hampshire go to 18. Maine stops at 17. That gives your family a bit more flexibility with older teens.

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

Step 1: Write your letter of intent. Address it to the superintendent of your school administrative unit (SAU). Include these five things: your name and signature, your child's name and age, the date you will begin, a statement that you will provide 175 days covering all required subjects, and your commitment to annual assessment. Do not include assessment results in your first letter. They are not needed until your second year.

Step 2: File within 10 days. Send your letter within 10 calendar days of starting home instruction. This deadline applies year-round. Starting in September? File by day 10. Starting mid-January? Same rule. There is no separate mid-year process. Send it certified mail or hand-deliver it and get a receipt. Keep a copy for your records.

Step 3: Withdraw your child (if enrolled). If your child attends public school, write a separate letter to the school principal or office withdrawing your child. The letter of intent handles the home instruction side. The withdrawal letter handles school records. If your child was never enrolled, skip this step entirely.

Step 4: Choose your approach. Maine requires eight subject areas but gives you complete freedom in how you teach them. Pick a boxed curriculum, build your own from library books, or mix and match. No textbooks are prescribed. No methods are mandated. Design what works for your child.

Step 5: Teach for 175 days. Track your instructional days with a simple calendar or log. Check off each day you teach. Maine sets no minimum hours per day. Focused one-on-one teaching covers more ground per hour than a classroom. Most families find three to four hours handles a solid day.

Step 6: Complete your annual assessment. Pick one of five approved methods (see the assessment section below). Submit your results to the superintendent by September 1 of the following school year. Mark that date on your calendar now.

Under 20-A MRSA Section 5001-A, Maine requires two filings. Both go to the superintendent of your SAU. Here is exactly what each one needs.

The initial letter of intent. File this within 10 calendar days of starting home instruction. Write a letter that includes your name and signature, your child's name and age, the start date, an assurance of 175 days covering required subjects, and your commitment to annual assessment. No assessment results needed the first time. No state form exists. A free-form letter works perfectly. The superintendent cannot deny your filing. This is a notification, not a request.

The annual continuation letter. Due on or before September 1 each year after your first year. This letter has different content than your initial filing. Include your prior year's assessment results and a statement that you intend to continue home instruction. Think of it as a year-end report and a fresh commitment rolled into one document.

Keep copies of everything you send. Use certified mail or hand delivery so you have proof of filing. These records protect you if any questions arise.

Maine requires eight subject areas under 20-A MRSA Section 5001-A. Here is the full list.

English and language arts (reading, writing, spelling, and grammar). Mathematics. Science and technology. Social studies (history, geography, economics, and civics). Physical education and health. Library skills. Fine arts (music and visual arts). Maine studies (Maine history, geography, and government).

Two subjects stand out as unique to Maine homeschool requirements. Library skills means teaching your child how to find, evaluate, and use information sources. Weave this into everyday learning. A library visit, an online research project, or learning to use a table of contents all count. Maine studies means covering your own state's history, geography, and government. Take your child to a state park, visit a historical society, or read about Maine's role in the nation's history.

The statute specifies subject areas but does not prescribe curriculum, textbooks, or methods. Teach at your child's grade level and ability. You have full creative freedom in how you cover these areas.

Maine requires 175 instructional days per year under 20-A MRSA Section 5001-A. This matches the public school minimum.

No minimum hours per day are set. A home instruction day does not need to look like a public school day. Focused one-on-one teaching covers more ground per hour. Most families find three to four hours handles a full day.

Keep attendance records. Use a simple calendar and check off each teaching day. You need to show 175 days of instruction if asked. That is the only time tracking Maine requires.

Maine requires one annual assessment. You pick the method. Here are your five options under 20-A MRSA Section 5001-A.

Standardized test. Choose a test from the Commissioner-approved list. Options include the California Achievement Test, Stanford, and Iowa assessments. Follow the publisher's instructions for administration. This is the simplest option for your first year.

Certified teacher review. Find a Maine certified teacher willing to review your child's work and write a progress assessment. Ask at your local homeschool group or check with Homeschoolers of Maine (HOME) at homeschoolersofmaine.org for referrals.

Homeschool support group review. Join a support group that includes a Maine certified teacher or administrator. They review a portfolio of your child's work. Contact HOME to find groups near you that offer this service.

Local advisory board. Request that the superintendent appoint a board to review your child's progress. Availability varies by district. Ask your superintendent if this option exists in your area.

School district testing. Contact your local school and ask if your child can participate in their testing program. You need prior permission from the district for this option.

Submit results to the superintendent by September 1 each year. No minimum score is required. If you are unsure which method to pick, start with a standardized test. It is straightforward and widely available. You can switch methods any year.

Maine gives you two pathways to homeschool legally.

Pathway 1: Standard Home Instruction. File a letter of intent with your superintendent. Teach eight subjects. Provide 175 days of instruction. Complete an annual assessment. This is the most common route and gives you the most control.

Pathway 2: Approved Private School or Correspondence Program. Enroll in an approved private school or a DOE-approved correspondence or distance learning program. The school handles all compliance. No letter of intent. No annual assessment submission. No required subject list from the state. Choose this if you want more structure or prefer to skip the annual assessment.

Maine has no umbrella school option, no cover school statute, and no religious exemption. These two pathways are your choices.

A few things that make homeschooling in Maine especially rewarding. Use these to your advantage.

Take advantage of public school access. Under 20-A MRSA Section 5021, your home-instructed child may enroll in classes at the local public school. Call your school and ask what courses are available. Your child can also try out for sports and join extracurricular activities without superintendent approval. Schools are permitted but not mandated to allow this as space and resources allow. Ask early in the school year so you know your options.

Get free college credits through the Aspirations Program. Maine offers up to 12 free college credits for home instruction students through the Aspirations Program. Contact your local public school to enroll. This is a meaningful head start for high schoolers planning for college. Do not wait until senior year. Start exploring this in 9th or 10th grade.

You do not need teaching credentials. Under 20-A MRSA Section 5001-A, any parent, guardian, or person you select may provide instruction. No teaching certificate. No college degree. Your dedication to your child's learning is what counts.

Create your own diploma and transcripts. Maine has no state homeschool diploma or transcript template. Make your own. For college-bound students, build transcripts as you go through high school. Include course titles, grades, and credit hours. The University of Maine System and community colleges accept homeschool applicants with parent-issued transcripts and standardized test scores. Students wanting a state-recognized 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. Before you withdraw, consider dual enrollment. Enroll your child in public school specifically to keep IEP services active. Your district must evaluate your child under federal Child Find if you suspect a disability. But ongoing therapy and support services are not guaranteed for homeschoolers in Maine. Talk to your district's special education coordinator before making the switch.

Know that there is no state funding. Maine does not offer ESA or voucher programs for home instruction families. You fund your own materials. However, if you live in a town without a public school at certain grade levels, look into Maine's town tuitioning system. After the Supreme Court ruling in Carson v. Makin (2022), qualifying towns provide tuition for students to attend approved schools, including religious schools. Check with your town office to see if this applies to you.

Connect with other Maine homeschoolers. Homeschoolers of Maine (HOME) at homeschoolersofmaine.org is the statewide support organization. Reach out to them for support group connections, assessment referrals, and help navigating Maine homeschool requirements. A community makes the journey easier and more enjoyable.