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Homeschool > Homeschool Laws By State > How to Homeschool in Maine

How to Homeschool in Maine

If you’re interested in homeschooling in Maine, you’ll be happy to know that it’s very simple to do so. The homeschooling laws in Maine are easy to follow, allowing parents freedom and flexibility in home education.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to start homeschooling in Maine with confidence!

Homeschooling in Maine – Requirements

Maine – The Pine Tree State

Required Age6-17
Standardized TestingAnnual assessment required
SubjectsLanguage arts, math, science, social studies, gym and health, fine arts, Maine studies and computer proficiency
Time Requirements175 days per year
Graduation RequirementsDetermined by parent
Special RequirementsMust submit a letter of intent to continue homeschooling at the end of the year
Financial Resources AvailableYes, through the Maine Children’s Scholarship Fund

Parent Qualifications

There are no qualifications for homeschool parents in Maine.

Notice of Intent

To homeschool in Maine, you must submit a Notice of Intent to your school superintendent. This step must be completed within 10 days of beginning home education. This form should include the following: 

  1. Your name, address, and signature
  2. Your student’s name, age, and grade level
  3. The date that you will start/have started homeschooling
  4. Confirmation that you will provide instruction to your student for at least 175 days a year, cover the required subjects, and submit a year-end assessment for your student

At the end of the year, you must also submit a letter of intent to continue home education with your local superintendent. This letter must include your student’s year-end assessment and is due no later than September 1

Attendance

Maine homeschooling laws require parents to teach for at least 175 days a year.

Homeschool Curriculum

All homeschoolers in Maine must teach:

  • Language Arts
  • Science
  • Math
  • Social Studies
  • Gym and Health
  • Fine Arts
  • Maine Studies (in one grade between 6th and 12th)
  • Computer Proficiency (in one grade between 7th and 12th)

As long as your curriculum teaches the following subjects, there are no other requirements.

Choosing the best homeschool program in Maine can be hard with so many options!

If you want to ensure your child is getting a great education, you may be interested in an accredited homeschool curriculum. Accredited homeschool programs must meet high standards of academic quality and rigor to maintain their accreditation status.

Learn more about Miacademy’s accreditation.

Image of Cape Elizabeth in Maine

Testing

When you’re homeschooling in Maine, you’ll need to submit a year-end assessment to your local superintendent annually. This is so the superintendent can ensure your child is progressing academically.

To fulfill this requirement, you may submit either the results from a standardized achievement test, the results of a test created by local school officials, or a letter from a Maine-certified teacher stating that your child’s progress has been reviewed and meets expectations. This assessment is to be submitted along with your yearly letter of intent by September 1st. 

Record Keeping

Per Maine homeschooling laws, parents must keep records of their annual letters of intent, as well as their annual assessments.

Although not required, other good things to keep in your homeschool portfolio include: 

  • A list of subjects studied
  • Report cards or grades earned
  • Standardized test scores
  • Documentation of extracurricular activities

If your student is college-bound, they will likely need a high school transcript to apply. Transcripts list the courses taken, credit hours, and final grades your student earns from grades 9-12, and are used to calculate your student’s overall GPA.

You can make your own transcripts or enroll in an online homeschool program that provides them for you.

Graduation Requirements

In Maine, parents decide when their high school student is ready to graduate.

Because the rules are so lax, many parents find it helpful to look at Maine’s Diploma Pathways for students in traditional schools.

If you’d like to simplify your student’s graduation pathway, MiaPrep offers a comprehensive high school education, all online! From math to English, music, college prep, and more, we have so many different lessons to explore. In addition, we’re adding new lessons all the time with our monthly content releases.

Financial Resources

The Maine Children’s Scholarship Fund is offering $500 to K-12 homeschool students to cover the cost of home education. Applications are due annually by April 30, and scholarships are awarded at random.

Other Tips & Resources

Check out these other sites for more tips and resources on homeschooling in Maine!

If you’re wondering whether Miacademy or MiaPrep would be the best homeschool curriculum for your family, feel free to reach out to our friendly customer service team! 

To legally homeschool in Maine, you will need to: 

  1. Submit an NOI to the superintendent annually
  2. Teach all required subjects for 175 days
  3. Provide an assessment annually
  4. Submit a letter of intent to continue homeschooling with your student’s evaluation results by September 1

Unschooling is legal in Maine as long as you are meeting the Maine homeschool requirements, which include teaching all required subjects, providing 175 days of instruction, and having your child’s learning evaluated annually. 

The number of hours per day that you need for homeschooling depends on your state’s laws and your child’s grade level and ability to work independently. Here is a sample guide:

  • Kindergarten – 3rd Grade: 1-2 hours per day
  • 4th-6th Grade: 2-4 hours per day
  • 7th -12th Grade: 3-4+ hours per day, depending on your student’s academic load


Please note: the information provided is intended for research purposes only, and is not legal advice.

Miaplaza is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outdated information, or for the results yielded through use of this information.