Maine State Laws

Maine Homeschooling Laws, Information, and Resources

If you’re looking into homeschooling in Maine, you’re in the right place! This page provides the resources and information you need to determine whether homeschooling in ME is right for you.

Summary of Maine Homeschool Laws

Knowing the requirements for homeschooling in Maine is one key to successful homeschooling. Below is a summary of the homeschool laws in the state of Maine. You can find additional information on Home School Legal Defense Association’s (HSLDA) website as well: Maine HSLDA Reference

Homeschool Options in Maine

Homeschooling under home instruction option.
Homeschooling as a student of a private school.

Maine State Law Homeschool Summary

Homeschooling as a home study program.

File a one-time written notice of intent to your local school superintendent within 10 days of you starting to homeschool your student. The notice of intent must include:

Name, address, and signature of the parent or guardian
Student’s name and age
Date that home instruction began (or will begin)
Statement that you will provide instruction to your student for at least 175 days a year
Statement that you will cover the required subjects
Statement that you will submit a year-end assessment for your student

Maine law requires that you keep a copy of this notice of intent for your records. If the commissioner of education asks to see the notice, you must provide it.

Send an annual letter by September 1 to the local school superintendent that includes your student’s year-end assessment and a statement that you intend to continue your student’s home education. You must also keep a copy of this annual letter as well as each year-end assessment for your records and be prepared to furnish a copy should you be asked by the commissioner of education.
Provide the required 175 days of instruction and teach the required subjects, which include English and language arts, math, science, social studies, physical and health education, library skills, fine arts, Maine studies (in one grade between grades 6 and 12), and computer proficiency (in one grade between grades 7 and 12).
Submit a year-end assessment to your local superintendent by September 1. This can be the official results of a national standardized achievement test, the results of a test developed by local school officials (homeschoolers do not commonly use this type of assessment), or a letter stating that your child’s progress has been reviewed and is acceptable. (This letter can be from a Maine certified teacher, a support group that has a Maine certified teacher helping to conduct your child’s review, or an advisory board that includes two homeschool teachers and one school official and that you arrange with your school district before the school year begins.) Keep a copy of the assessment you submit for your records.

Homeschooling as a home-based private school. Maine law allows homeschooling parents to join and function as a private school the state recognizes as providing equivalent instruction. You can satisfy Maine’s school attendance laws by enrolling your child in one of these schools. One of the requirements for obtaining recognition is that the school must provide instruction in these subjects:

English (reading, writing, spelling, and grammar)
Math
Science
American history
Maine history and geography
Government (including privilege and responsibility of citizenship)
Health education
Fine arts

Maine State Education Resources

Here you’ll find websites for any questions you may have about education in the state of Maine:

Department of Education – https://www.maine.gov/doe/home
Maine State Government – Education: https://www.maine.gov/portal/education/
Maine Historical Society – https://www.mainehistory.org/
Maine Education Association: https://maineea.org/

List of Maine school districts: https://ballotpedia.org/List_of_school_districts_in_Maine

Maine Homeschooling Support Groups

Whether you already homeschool in Maine or are looking to do so, these resources are quite useful if you’re searching for support, co-ops, or answers to questions about homeschooling in your state.

Homeschoolers of Maine: https://www.homeschoolersofmaine.org/
Guilford Christian Academy: https://guilfordchristianacademy.com/
EarthSchool Maine: https://www.homeschool-life.com/me/essm/
Maine Christian Homeschool: https://www.facebook.com/groups/153257411367657/
Maine Home Education: https://www.mainehomeeducation.com/support/online-groups/
Maine Homeschooling Swap: https://www.facebook.com/groups/194857700616186/
Maine Unschooling Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MEUNetwork/
Secular Homeschooling and Unschooling Families of Maine: https://www.facebook.com/groups/497350033656409/

Top Maine Homeschooling Field Trip Ideas

One of the many benefits of homeschooling is the flexibility to explore! Here are some ideas for amazing–and educational–field trips around the great state of Maine!