Choice Homeschool
Menu

Homeschool laws · State guide

Homeschooling in Maine

Maine requires notice to the local school unit and the Commissioner within 10 days of starting, 175 days of instruction in listed subjects, and an annual assessment filed with a yearly letter of intent by September 1.

Last checkedAgainst Statute + state sources

Maine at a glanceLevel: Moderate

Notice to the state
Yes
Send a notice of intent to your local school unit and the Commissioner within 10 days of starting. By September 1 each later year, file a letter of intent to continue with the annual assessment (20-A M.R.S. §5001-A).
Testing
Yes
Yearly, one of: a standardized test, a local test, review by a Maine-certified teacher, portfolio review by a support group with a certified teacher or administrator, or local advisory board review (20-A M.R.S. §5001-A).
Record-keeping
Required
Keep copies of the information filed until home instruction ends; make them available to the commissioner on request (20-A M.R.S. §5001-A(3)(A)(4)(c)).
Immunization
Not required
Immunizations are not required for home instruction alone (Maine DOE/DHHS FAQ). Private-school students and public-school extracurricular participants must meet immunization rules (§§6355, 5021(5)(B)).
Required subjects
Yes, 10
English and language arts, Math, Science, Social studies, Physical education, Health education, Library skills, Fine arts, Maine studies (one grade, 6–12), Computer proficiency (one grade, 7–12)
Instruction time
At least 175 days a year
20-A M.R.S. §5001-A(3)(A)(4)(a)(iv)
Parent qualifications
None stated
Compulsory school age
6 to under 17
20-A M.R.S. §5001-A(1)

Ways to homeschool here: Home instruction program · Private school approved for attendance purposes · Private school recognized by the department as providing equivalent instruction · Other arrangement approved by the school board and commissioner

Choice Homeschool works hard to keep every state guide accurate and up to date, but laws change. If something here has changed or is missing, please let us know, ideally with a link to the official source, and we’ll recheck it.

Overview

Maine’s Department of Education says parents who provide home instruction ‘legally direct the child’s education by choosing the curriculum, facilitating the process, and determining academic needs,’ and that home instruction is funded by the parent. Home instruction students may take specific public school classes, use facilities and join cocurricular and extracurricular activities under conditions in 20-A M.R.S. §5021.

  • Home instruction program
  • Private school approved for attendance purposes
  • Private school recognized by the department as providing equivalent instruction
  • Other arrangement approved by the school board and commissioner

Requirements at a glance

  • Notice: Written notice of intent to provide home instruction, sent at the same time to your local school administrative unit and to the Commissioner of Education within 10 calendar days of starting; it includes parent name, signature and address, student name and age, start date, and assurances of 175 days of instruction in the required subjects and an annual assessment. By September 1 of each later year, file a letter of intent to continue, with a copy of the annual assessment. (20-A M.R.S. §5001-A(3)(A)(4)(a)–(b))
  • Testing or assessment: Annual assessment, one of: a standardized achievement test (through the local unit or as approved by the commissioner); a test developed by local school officials; review and acceptance by a Maine-certified teacher; review of a portfolio by a homeschool support group that includes a certified Maine teacher or administrator; or review by a local advisory board selected by the superintendent. Some options must be agreed with the school unit before the notice is filed. (20-A M.R.S. §5001-A(3)(A)(4)(b))
  • Records: Keep copies of the information filed until home instruction ends; make them available to the commissioner on request (20-A M.R.S. §5001-A(3)(A)(4)(c)).
  • Subjects: English and language arts, Math, Science, Social studies, Physical education, Health education, Library skills, Fine arts, Maine studies (one grade, 6–12), Computer proficiency (one grade, 7–12)
  • Instruction time: At least 175 days a year (20-A M.R.S. §5001-A(3)(A)(4)(a)(iv))
  • Parent/teacher qualifications: None stated
  • Compulsory attendance ages: 6 to under 17 (20-A M.R.S. §5001-A(1))

Sources

This page summarizes the statutes and official pages listed in the sources block, as read on the last-checked date. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm current requirements with your state or local education agency.