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Homeschooling in Massachusetts

Massachusetts requires advance approval of a home schooling plan by your local superintendent or school committee; each district sets its own approval policy.

Last checkedAgainst Statute + state sources

Massachusetts at a glanceLevel: High

Notice to the state
Yes
Notify your school district, then submit a home schooling plan. You may not begin until the superintendent or school committee approves it in advance (G.L. c.76 §1).
Testing
No
No statewide testing requirement. Districts typically review a plan's content, materials, duration and frequency, teaching and evaluation methods, and whether it enables adequate progress (DESE).
Record-keeping
Not required
Not set by statute; depends on the plan and the district's approval policy.
Immunization
Not required
Immunization requirements apply to school admission, not children taught at home under an approved homeschool plan (G.L. c.76 §15; DESE).
Required subjects
Yes, 1
Subjects required by law in public schools (G.L. c.71 §§1–3), which Care & Protection of Charles (1987) applies to home schooling plans, per the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries
Instruction time
Not set by statute; DESE says public school requirements such as structured learning time do not apply; duration and frequency are reviewed as part of the plan
Parent qualifications
Not set by statute; educator licensing does not apply
DESE
Compulsory school age
6–16
DESE

Ways to homeschool here: Home schooling under a district-approved plan (G.L. c.76 §1)

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Overview

G.L. c.76 §1 exempts a child ‘being otherwise instructed in a manner approved in advance by the superintendent or the school committee.’ DESE explains that each school committee has a home schooling approval policy, that the district (not DESE) approves and oversees home schooling, and that removing a child of compulsory age from school without an approved plan would make the child truant. Notification alone does not authorize home schooling.

Requirements at a glance

  • Notice: Notify the school district where you live (preferably in writing) as the first step; the district gives you its policy and you submit a proposed home schooling plan. You may not begin until the plan is approved in advance by the superintendent or school committee. (G.L. c.76 §1; DESE)
  • Testing or assessment: No statewide testing requirement for home schooling. DESE says districts typically review a plan’s content, materials, duration and frequency, methods of instruction and evaluation, and whether it enables adequate progress.
  • Records: Not set by statute; depends on the plan and the district’s approval policy.
  • Subjects: Subjects required by law in public schools (G.L. c.71 §§1–3), which Care & Protection of Charles (1987) applies to home schooling plans, per the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries
  • Instruction time: Not set by statute; DESE says public school requirements such as structured learning time do not apply; duration and frequency are reviewed as part of the plan
  • Parent/teacher qualifications: Not set by statute; educator licensing does not apply (DESE).
  • Compulsory attendance ages: 6–16 (DESE)

Per the Trial Court Law Libraries, Brunelle v. Lynn Public Schools (1998) held home visits may not be required without parental consent as a condition of approval, and Care & Protection of Charles (1987) gives guidance on what districts may consider. Districts may, but need not, let home-schooled students join courses or activities (DESE).

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.