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 Age	6-17
Standardized Testing	Annual assessment required
Subjects	Language arts, math, science, social studies, gym and health, fine arts, Maine studies and computer proficiency
Time Requirements	175 days per year
Graduation Requirements	Determined by parent
Special Requirements	Must submit a letter of intent to continue homeschooling at the end of the year
Financial Resources Available	Yes, 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.

Accredited Homeschool Programs

Since there are so many homeschool programs in Maine, it can be difficult to make a decision! Since you have so much freedom, you have the option to choose an accredited homeschool curriculum. Accredited homeschool programs must meet high standards of academic quality and rigor to maintain their accreditation status. The good news is, Miacademy’s online homeschool program is fully accredited by the ACS-WASC! When you homeschool with our program, you can rest assured that your student will be getting a great educational experience. 

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

Transcripts

If your student is planning to attend college, they will likely need a transcript to apply. Transcripts are a record of all courses taken, credit hours, and final grades earned between 9th-12th grade. You can make your own transcripts or choose an online homeschool curriculum that keeps track 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!

• Home Instruction Requirements – Maine Department of Education
• Homeschoolers of 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! 

Please keep in mind that the information provided is intended for research purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. To obtain accurate and comprehensive details on Maine homeschool laws, we recommend consulting the official resources and guidelines provided by your state. Additionally, staying informed about any changes to these laws is important, so be sure to look out for any updates. 

FAQ

How do I legally homeschool in Maine?

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

Is unschooling legal in Maine?

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. 

Information accurate as of: 05/14/2024. The information provided on this site is intended for research purposes only. Miaplaza is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outdated information, or for the results yielded through use of this information.