Homeschooling in Massachusetts? We’ll walk you through it.

Massachusetts does not have a statewide homeschool form or a uniform process under M.G.L. c.76 Section 1. Each school district sets its own procedures, which means your experience depends significantly on where you live. Some districts have a simple one-page form and a brief meeting. Others ask for detailed education plans, curriculum lists, and assessment commitments. This variation is the single biggest source of frustration for Massachusetts homeschool families.

What every district must follow are the Charles factors: your education plan should address the subjects to be taught, the materials to be used, the hours of instruction, the competency of the instructor, and the method of assessment. The superintendent reviews your plan against these factors. They cannot impose requirements beyond what Charles allows — no home visits (Brunelle), no teaching credentials, and no right to exercise "unbridled discretion."

Your annual assessment method is negotiated with the district. Options typically include standardized testing, portfolio review, or a written narrative by a certified teacher. The key protection from Brunelle is that the district cannot require standardized testing as the sole method.

If your district denies your plan or imposes unlawful conditions, you can appeal to the school committee, then to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and ultimately to judicial review.

Before you start. Contact your superintendent's office to request their homeschool process and forms. Do this before you withdraw your child. Having your education plan approved first prevents any gap in your child's enrollment status.

Know your Charles factors. When preparing your education plan, structure it around the five Charles factors: subjects, materials, hours, instructor competency, and assessment method. This gives the superintendent exactly what they need to approve and leaves no room for additional demands.

District variation. The Massachusetts Home Learning Association (MHLA) tracks district-specific practices and can tell you what to expect in your town. If you are in a district known to be difficult, connecting with MHLA before filing is especially valuable.

Required subjects. Massachusetts requires reading, writing, English grammar, math, science, US history, US Constitution, geography, civics, and good citizenship. These are broad categories — you have full discretion over curriculum, methods, and materials.

IEP and special needs. When you withdraw to homeschool, your child's IEP is no longer in effect. Under IDEA and M.G.L. c.71B, the district retains a Child Find obligation to identify and evaluate children with suspected disabilities, including homeschooled children. Some districts may offer services beyond evaluation, but this varies. The school committee may consider whether your homeschool plan adequately addresses a child's special needs — per Charles, this must be a balanced inquiry and cannot be used to deny homeschooling. Contact your district's special education office to understand what is available locally.

High school. Parent-issued diplomas are recognized. Massachusetts does not require a GED or equivalency test for homeschool graduates. For college applications, prepare a transcript and portfolio — Massachusetts colleges and universities are generally well-versed in evaluating homeschool applicants.

Home visits. If a district requests a home visit, you are not required to agree. Brunelle v. Lynn is explicit on this point. A meeting at the school or superintendent's office is a reasonable alternative.