Homeschool by State
Homeschooling in Maine: Requirements, Records & How to Get Started
Everything Maine families need to homeschool with confidence — the law in plain English, the records to keep, and the tools to generate them in minutes.
Idaho homeschool law, summarized
Maine has a few clear requirements to follow
What Maine actually requires
Maine calls homeschooling home instruction, and it is one of the more structured programs in New England. Under Title 20-A M.R.S. section 5001-A, first-year families must file a notice of intent with both their local superintendent and the state Commissioner of Education within 10 calendar days of starting, then continue each year with a letter by September 1. Instruction must span at least 175 days and cover a broad list of subjects — English and language arts, math, science, social studies, physical education, health, library skills, fine arts, and the state-specific Maine studies, plus a computer-proficiency demonstration in the upper grades. Every year must also end with an assessment showing satisfactory progress.
The heart of Maine’s ongoing compliance is that year-end assessment, and families have flexibility in how they meet it: a standardized test, a local test, a review by a Maine-certified teacher, a portfolio review by a home-school support group’s advisory panel, or a review by the local school board. Whichever you choose, the result must be submitted with your next September 1 continuation letter, which makes year-round recordkeeping less a chore than a necessity. Keeping attendance toward the 175-day minimum, a log of the required subjects, and a growing portfolio of your child’s work means the annual assessment and filing come together in minutes rather than a scramble each fall.
Official Maine resources
Always confirm current rules directly with the state. These are the authoritative sources:
Maine Dept. of Education — Home Instruction maine.gov ↗HSLDA — Maine Homeschool Laws hslda.org ↗
The records smart Maine families keep
Keeping clean, organized records is the simplest way for Maine families to stay ready for anything — and Homeschool Reports generates each one in minutes.
Generate Maine-ready records without the busywork
Enter your students once and produce attendance logs, report cards, and transcripts whenever you need them — no spreadsheets, no formatting headaches.
Choosing a Maine homeschool curriculum
Maine gives families broad freedom to choose the curriculum and materials that fit their child — from full boxed programs to a custom mix. Whatever you choose, keeping simple records of what you cover makes the year far easier to document.
Homeschooling in neighboring states
Common questions about homeschooling in Maine
Who do I notify to homeschool in Maine?
You file a notice of intent with both your local school superintendent and the Maine Commissioner of Education within 10 days of starting home instruction the first year.
How does Maine’s annual assessment work?
Each year you must show satisfactory progress using one of five options: a standardized test, a local test, a certified-teacher review, a support-group portfolio review, or a local school-board review.
What subjects does Maine require?
English/language arts, math, science, social studies, physical education, health, library skills, and fine arts, plus Maine studies in grades 6-12 and a computer-proficiency demonstration in grades 7-12.
How many days must I homeschool in Maine?
Maine requires a minimum of 175 days of instruction per year.
Start homeschooling Maine with confidence
Keep effortless, professional records and stay ready for anything — starting free, no credit card required.