Homeschooling in Maine

Your options

Home instruction under 20-A M.R.S. §5001-A(3)(A)(4). Private schools are a separate route outside these rules.

Notice or letter of intent

Notice of Intent within 10 calendar days of starting (fall start: by Sept 1). It gives the parent's name, address and signature, the child's name and age, the start date, and assurances of 175 days and an annual assessment. Subsequent years: a letter of intent to continue plus the prior year's assessment, by Sept 1.

Need a letter? See our letter of intent and withdrawal letter templates – but use the official form below if there is one.

Subjects, time, assessment and records

Subjects

English/language arts, math, science, social studies, PE, health, library skills, fine arts, Maine studies (one grade 6–12); computer proficiency shown once in grades 7–12.

Days or hours

At least 175 days per year.

Testing or assessment

Annual, submitted with the Sept 1 continuation, using one of: a standardised test; a test agreed with the local unit; review by a Maine-certified teacher; a portfolio reviewed by a support group including a certified teacher or administrator; or a superintendent-chosen advisory board. Not required in the first year.

Records

None specified beyond the assessment evidence.

Parent qualifications

None.

Other rules

Notify the superintendent of graduation, leaving home instruction or a move. School year runs July 1 to June 30. Truancy law applies (20-A M.R.S. §5051-A).

Official forms

NEO online Notice of Intent: neo.maine.gov/… ; PDF form: maine.gov/…

The law

20-A M.R.S. §5001-A(3)(A)(4); §5021; §5051-A – read the law

Who to contact

• Maine Department of Education – School Approval and Enrollment (Home Instruction)Email: use the contact details on the official page · 207-624-6600 · Official pageWho handles notices: Both (notice goes to the local superintendent and the Commissioner; one NEO submission covers both)

Where an office lists only a staff member’s own email address, we link the official page instead.

Special education and public school classes and sports

Home instruction students may take part in public school academic and extracurricular activities under §5021. Special education is available at the resident school only if the student attends classes there, to the extent the disability requires (Ch. 101 §IV.4.H).

Federal rules on Child Find and evaluations apply in every state – see special education.

Going back to public school in Maine

To enroll your child in a public school in Maine, contact the enrollment or registration office of your local school district or public school. Ask how it decides grade placement and whether it accepts credits from homeschooling before your child starts, and bring the records you choose to share. We didn’t find a state rule on this for Maine in the official sources we checked – see the Maine official page and ask the district.

See going back to school after homeschooling for what to bring, placement, credits and special education.