How to Homeschool in Maryland
Whether you’re new to the state or homeschooling for the very first time, figuring out how to homeschool can be an intimidating process. Luckily, the Maryland homeschool laws are fairly straightforward. This makes giving your kids an at-home education a breeze in the Old Line State!
Considered a fairly low-regulation state, Maryland only requires following a few homeschooling rules. It’s important to do your research, as homeschool laws vary by state. Once you’ve covered your legal bases, you’ll be ready to start homeschooling in no time!
Homeschooling in Maryland at a Glance
Maryland – The Old Line State
| Required Age | 5-18 |
| Standardized Testing | Not required |
| Subjects | Math, English, social studies, science, art, music, health, and physical education |
| Time Requirements | None |
| Graduation Requirements | Determined by parent |
| Special Requirements | None |
| Financial Resources Available | No |
There are three options for families who wish to homeschool in Maryland:
Option 1: Portfolio
Under this option, you will be your child’s main instructor. You’ll also handle all record keeping, grading, and monitoring of your child’s academic progress.
Through the portfolio option, you will meet with your superintendent regularly to review your child’s portfolio and ensure they are making progress. Your superintendent can legally request to meet up to three times per year.
Option 2: Church Umbrella
Umbrella schools are organizations that supervise homeschoolers. These groups usually provide their own curriculum and handle instruction, grading, attendance, and more. You will also need to attend any required conferences and lesson plan reviews, as well as regularly verify church umbrella involvement.
How do I verify involvement?
You can verify involvement by submitting a written notice to your umbrella, stating that you wish to continue your involvement. You must also give your umbrella program notice if you move, stop homeschooling, or choose a different homeschool option. The umbrella school will notify the superintendent of any changes on your behalf.
Option 3: State-Approved School Umbrella
Under this option, students must enroll in a state-approved nonpublic school. Families will work with a teacher who will issue progress reports, handle instruction and grading, take attendance, and manage all other aspects of education.
For this option, parents must also annually verify their involvement.
Parent Qualifications
There is no education or certification qualification for parents who wish to homeschool in Maryland.
Notice of Intent
All homeschoolers in Maryland must complete a Notice of Consent to homeschool, regardless of which option you choose. You can file a Notice of Consent with your local superintendent or homeschool liaison. The form is due annually, no later than 15 days before you begin to homeschool.
Attendance
There are no restrictions for how long you must teach. The State of Maryland simply requests that instruction “take place on a regular basis during the school year and be of sufficient duration to implement the instruction program” (COMAR 13A.10.01.01).
Homeschool Curriculum
In Maryland, there are eight required subjects homeschoolers must take:
- Math
- English
- Social studies
- Science
- Art
- Music
- Health
- Physical education
There are no restrictions on which homeschool curriculum you can use, as long as it meets the subject requirements.
Since you have so much freedom over the curriculum you choose, 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!
Testing
The State of Maryland does not require standardized testing for homeschooled students. However, testing can still be a good assessment of your child’s progress.
If you choose to test your child, they can take the Maryland state test for free. Alternatively, you may also purchase a nationally normed exam online.
Record Keeping
For families homeschooling under the portfolio option, comprehensive record keeping is essential. Maryland does not have any specific requirements for this portfolio. It just needs to demonstrate “regular, thorough instruction.” You can accomplish this by including work samples, attendance records, report cards, and test scores.
Good items to keep in your homeschool portfolio include:
- Subjects they studied
- Report cards or grades earned
- Test scores
- Extracurricular activities
For families who choose Options 2 or 3, your school or group will handle much of the necessary record keeping. However, it is always a good idea to keep records of your own.
Transcripts
While transcripts are not a requirement, they are often necessary for college applications. To create a transcript, you’ll need to list all courses, credit hours, and final grades earned between grades 9-12. You can make your own transcripts or enroll in an online homeschool program that does the record keeping for you.
Graduation Requirements
There are no formal graduation requirements for homeschoolers in Maryland. Instead, parents decide when their student is ready to graduate and provide them a diploma.
For parents who may not be familiar with high school graduation requirements, don’t worry! You can always check the state’s public school graduation requirements.
Financial Resources
Unfortunately, there are no state-provided financial resources available for homeschoolers in Maryland at this time.
Other Tips & Resources
For more information about homeschooling in Maryland, check out:
- The Maryland Homeschool Association
- Home Instruction — Maryland State Department of Education
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! They’ll be happy to help you find the answers you need.
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 Maryland 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 homeschool my child in Maryland?
To homeschool in Maryland, you must file a Notice of Consent, teach all required subjects, and provide instruction that is “of sufficient duration.”
Do homeschoolers in Maryland get a diploma?
Yes, homeschoolers in Maryland get a diploma when they graduate high school. The only difference is they will receive their diploma from their parents, rather than from a school or the state.
Information accurate as of: 04/29/2024. 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.