How to Homeschool in Maine

Making the decision to homeschool can be exciting and also stressful.  How do you start? What do you need to do first? Will the school “let” you? How do you know if you are doing a good job? Many of us have a lot of stress around the actual law – particularly the annual assessment. These are all very common concerns of parents new to homeschooling.

Step 1: Breathe. Repeat as needed.
Step 2: Grab your favorite beverage, find a comfy spot, and read on. 

Disclaimer: MHEA does not provide legal advice. This information is based upon our best analysis of the law based on consultation with state legislators, legislative policy analysts, and lawyers licensed in Maine. Historically, there have been varying interpretations surrounding unclear aspects of the Maine statutes. Please make sure you read the Statute for yourself. 

Homeschooling in Maine: The Law

Compulsory Age

The compulsory age is when you have to start reporting to the state and your local superintendent. That means that from the ages of 6-17 your child needs to be in some sort of educational environment, whether that is public, private, or homeschool.

By your child’s 6th birthday, you must mail in a notice of intent. If your student turns 6 on March 10th, you send in the notice byMarch 10th.  The notice of intent is a letter that states you are going to be homeschooling your child. It is a notice, not an application. You do not apply or register to be a homeschooler in Maine. 

What do I do if my child(ren) was already enrolled in public school? 

When your children have been in public school it is a little different.

  • If you withdraw them in the middle of the year, you will need to send in the notice of intent within 10 days of withdrawing them to start homeschool instruction.
  • If you do not plan to send them back to public school after you have completed a public school year, the notice of intent is due by September 1st.
  • You might also consider letting your local school principal know that you are withdrawing to homeschool – this isn’t required, but is a good idea so they aren’t looking for your child. If you choose to do this, send a quick email rather than a phone call. This way you have documentation. It is not uncommon for schools to re-enroll a previously enrolled student, even when the proper notification has been submitted to the superintendent by the parent. The new school year is a busy time, and sometimes things get missed. 

Notice of Intent

The information required for your notice of intent is the following:

  • The name, signature, and address of the parent (It is a good idea to include both parents if both parents live with the child, or both share custody or educational decision making)
  • The name and age of the student(s)
  • The date the homeschool instruction program will begin
  • A statement of assurance stating 175 days of homeschool instruction will be given in the required subject areas
  • A statement of assurance stating that the homeschool instruction program will include an annual assessment

You can write your own notice of intent, or use the Maine Home Education Alliance also has forms that you can use here.  The state does not have a required form however, you can use the Maine DOE database.  It does not always work, so be aware.  If you mail the letter of intent, we recommend sending it by certified mail, with a return receipt requested so you receive the green card back stating that they have received your paperwork. 

This paperwork must be sent to your local Superintendent of schools where you reside. If you don’t know which district serves your community, you can look it up here at the Maine DOE. Locate a School in Maine | Department of Education

Maine Law states that the notice must be sent to both the school district AND the Maine DOE. The DOE has since stated on their website that parents are to only notify the local SAU. 

Homeschool Requirements: Course of Instruction

These are the requirements for homeschooling in Maine after you have submitted your notice of intent.

First, you must have 175 days of home education instruction. 

The required subject that your home education program must include are:

  • English and Language Arts
  • Math
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Physical Education
  • Health Education
  • Library Skills
  • Fine Arts
  • in at least one grade from 6-12, Maine Studies
  • at one grade level from 7-12, the student will demonstrate proficiency in computers

You do not need to teach each subject for 175 days. When many families start homeschooling, they are often overwhelmed with the thought of teaching everything for 175 days. Obviously, that isn’t realistic, and it isn’t required. Public schools don’t do this either!

If this is your first year homeschooling, and your child did not turn 6 until the middle of the school year, you will not be required to do the 175 days of homeschool instruction in the first year.

You are not required to be homeschooling on particular days, or even during particular hours.  So, if you go on an educational field trip on a Saturday, that can count as a home instruction day.  Learning is happening all around us, and recognizing those learning opportunities is part of the fun of homeschooling!  How you plan your home education schedule from week to week is completely up to you.

Homeschool Requirements: Annual Assessments

Homeschoolers in Maine need to conduct annual assessments. Annual assessments can sound extremely intimidating, but they don’t have to be. There are six different ways to conduct your annual assessments per state law. Most families use the first three options we have listed. We do sometimes come across families who use the options provided by the local district, often because they have come from previous public school enrollment and are unaware that there are other options! Sometimes families swap between different options each year, or for each child. One child in a family might use testing, another might do a review. That’s OK! 

Here’s what the law requires: 

On or before September 1st of each subsequent year of home instruction, you will need to send a Subsequent Year Notice with your local school administrative unit stating the intention to continue to provide home instruction. You must also provide a copy of one of the following six forms of annual assessment of the student’s academic progress with your Subsequent Year Notice:  

  1. A review and acceptance of academic progress by a current Maine certified educator.
  2. A review and acceptance of the student’s progress based on, but not limited to, a presentation of an educational portfolio of the student to a local area homeschooling support group whose membership for this purpose includes a currently certified Maine teacher or administrator.
  3. A standardized achievement test approved by the commissioner. Currently, the Maine Department of Education allows any nationally normed standardized achievement test. 
  4. A standardized achievement test administered through the local school district. If you would like your child to be tested through the local SAU, you must contact the local district to make the request and make an agreed upon plan PRIOR to submitting your written notice of intent or subsequent year letter. 
  5. A test developed by the school officials of the local district appropriate to the student’s home instruction program You must contact the local district to make the request and make an agreed upon plan PRIOR to submitting your written notice of intent or subsequent year letter.
  6. A review and acceptance of the student’s progress by a local advisory board selected by the local SAU superintendent that includes one administrative unit employee and 2 home instruction tutors. A “home instruction tutor” means the parent, guardian or other person who acts or will act as a primary teacher of the student in the home instruction program. You must contact the local district to make the request and make an agreed upon plan PRIOR to submitting your written notice of intent or subsequent year letter.

By far, most parents choose to do either a one on one or support group teacher review.  Many choose to use standardized tests. Some parents do the tests but also complete a teacher review and just submit the test results to the reviewer. 

You choose the standardized test that you want to use for your child.  Some of the options available are CAT, IOWA, Stanford 10, NWEA MAP.

The following websites provide various testing options and services.

The teacher review letter (or proof of testing) is in addition to the Subsequent Year Notice stating that you will be continuing to homeschool. These must be submitted together by mail to your superintendent or by using the DOE online database by September 1st. Always keep the original teacher letter or standardized test results and subsequent year notice in a file for your own records. Use copies to send to the school district.

Teacher Reviews

You should plan to show evidence of work in the required subject areas, but feel free to also highlight optional additional work, such as a world language.  It is a good idea to talk with the reviewer you plan to use because everyone does things a little differently! They will be able to give you what their requirements are, and this will ease the burden for you when you start to put together your homeschool portfolio at the end of the year. 

Many are very flexible, and since there is not a requirement to prepare a formal portfolio unless you are doing a group review (the 2nd option), feel free to think broadly about how you might show evidence of progress. Some parents and reviewers have gotten creative, with parents creating a Facebook group for the parent and reviewer. The parent uploads and posts photos, samples of work, field trips, book lists, and more throughout the year. Other parents provide samples of work and a written summary of each subject. Others really enjoy the process of creating a formal portfolio.

Overall, don’t fret too much about the review. Plan ahead, communicate with the teacher and don’t wait until the last minute! The review can be a really fun experience for the student, parent and teacher. Most of the seasoned reviewers are highly supportive of home education and use the review to celebrate the process. You are not expected to be measured against a public school model. It does not measure against a specific standard of where that child “should” be. Instead, it is specific to your child. If you do not have this experience, talk to other homeschoolers and find a reviewer that truly understands home education!

You can find a list of teachers available for review in the Maine Homeschool Network here.

Homeschooling in Maine is not as stressful and difficult as you first thought! Make sure that you have submitted your notice of intent. Create a rhythm that works for your family. Most importantly, have fun!