Learn about homeschooling laws, requirements, and resources specific to Maine.
Maine offers two distinct pathways for home education with moderate regulation compared to other states. Understanding these options and their requirements will help you successfully navigate your homeschooling journey.
Maine home education operates under clear statutes and regulations that balance educational freedom with accountability measures. With proper notification and compliance with assessment requirements, families can provide an excellent education tailored to their children's needs.
Maine homeschooling is governed by:
Maine offers two legal pathways: a home instruction program with direct parent oversight, or participation in a recognized equivalent private school (RAPPS).
Key Requirements:
This guide provides an overview of homeschooling in Maine but should not be considered legal advice. Laws and interpretations can change, so we recommend consulting official state resources and possibly legal counsel for your specific situation.
Maine law provides two distinct legal pathways for families who choose to educate their children at home, each with its own set of requirements and responsibilities.
Maine law specifically uses the term "home instruction" rather than "homeschooling" in its official documents and statutes. The legal foundation for both home education options is found in Maine's compulsory attendance law (Title 20-A, §5001-A).
This is the traditional homeschooling option where parents take full responsibility for their child's education.
Title 20-A, §5001-A(3)(A)(4) provides an exemption from compulsory school attendance for children receiving home instruction.
This option allows homeschoolers to form or join a small private school recognized as providing "equivalent instruction."
These schools are recognized as "Recognized for Attendance Purposes Private Schools" (RAPPS) under Maine law.
In Maine, children must receive education during these ages:
Homeschooling families must comply with Maine's compulsory attendance laws through one of the two options described above.
Maine has specific notification requirements that differ based on which homeschooling option you choose. Understanding these filing procedures is essential for maintaining legal compliance.
Missing deadlines can jeopardize your homeschooling legal status. Mark these key dates on your calendar:
The written Notice of Intent is the first required filing when starting a home instruction program. This is a one-time notification for each child when you begin homeschooling.
The notice must legally be sent to both:
Maine DOE offers submission options that notify both simultaneously (see Delivery Methods below).
After the initial notice, parents must file an annual letter to continue homeschooling each child. This letter has its own requirements and deadline.
Like the initial notice, this letter must be sent to both:
The Maine DOE offers the same submission methods for this annual letter as for the initial notice.
Important: The assessment results are a crucial component of the subsequent year letter. Without them, your filing will be considered incomplete.
Maine provides multiple methods for submitting homeschool notifications:
Best Practice: Whichever method you choose, always keep copies of all submissions, confirmation emails, and delivery receipts for your records.
If using the private school (RAPPS) option, individual parents do NOT file notices of intent. Instead, the school administrator handles all required notifications.
Important Warning: Parents enrolled in a recognized private school should NOT file a homeschool notice of intent themselves. Doing so would place the student in the wrong legal category and could create confusion about which requirements apply.
Maine does not prescribe specific curriculum or textbooks for homeschoolers, but the state does require certain subject areas be taught and that instruction meet minimum time requirements.
Maine law requires home instruction programs to provide at least 175 instructional days per year. The daily schedule and hours can be flexible - there is no mandate for specific days or times as long as you meet the total annual requirement.
Maine's homeschool statute specifies that the following subjects must be covered each year (with certain grade-specific requirements noted):
| Subject | Requirement Details |
|---|---|
| English and Language Arts | Reading, writing, literature, etc. |
| Mathematics | General math instruction appropriate to grade level |
| Science | General science instruction appropriate to grade level |
| Social Studies | History, geography, civics, etc. |
| Physical Education | Movement, fitness, and physical activity |
| Health Education | Health, wellness, and personal care |
| Library Skills | Research and information literacy |
| Fine Arts | Art, music, or other creative arts |
| Maine Studies | Must be taught in at least one grade from 6 through 12 Maine history, geography, and cultural studies |
| Computer Proficiency | Must be demonstrated in one grade from 7 through 12 Practical computer skills and digital literacy |
Important Note: All subjects (except Maine studies and computer skills, which are one-time requirements in specific grade ranges) should be included at some level in your curriculum each year.
Maine offers considerable flexibility in how you teach required subjects:
The law expects that over the course of the school year, all content areas are covered adequately, but does not micromanage how you achieve this goal.
While Maine does not dictate grade-specific content, here are some guidelines:
Optional Resources:
While not required, the Maine Department of Education encourages parents to refer to the state's learning standards for guidance if desired. These can provide benchmarks for what students typically learn at various grade levels.
For families using the Recognized for Attendance Purposes Private School (RAPPS) option, curriculum requirements are similar but with some differences:
Important: Whether homeschooling under the statute or under a private school umbrella, Maine expects a well-rounded education covering similar major disciplines.
When planning your curriculum, focus on covering all required subjects throughout the year while customizing the approach to your child's learning style and interests. Keep simple records of when and how you cover each subject area, particularly Maine studies and computer proficiency during the appropriate grade spans, for your documentation.
Maine respects parents' rights to direct their children's education and does not impose specific educational qualifications or teaching credentials on homeschooling parents.
According to Maine law and guidance, there are no minimum education credentials required for parents who provide home instruction. You do not need to be a certified teacher or have any specific degree to homeschool your children in Maine.
Maine's approach places trust in parents to direct their children's learning without requiring formal approval of the parent's teaching background.
The only expectation is that the parent/guardian is willing and able to take responsibility for providing the child's education and completing all required filings and assessments.
For a home-based RAPPS composed of parents, this typically means parents who teach would internally vouch for each other's competency.
While no state credentials are required, the private school is responsible for ensuring quality instruction through its own internal approval process.
While Maine doesn't require teaching credentials, many homeschooling parents find these resources helpful for effective teaching:
Tip: Many homeschooling parents find that connecting with experienced homeschoolers through Maine's active homeschool community provides valuable mentorship and practical teaching advice.
Maine requires annual academic progress assessments for homeschooled students but offers considerable flexibility in the form of assessment you choose.
You must administer at least one evaluation each year to gauge your student's educational progress. This assessment must be submitted with your subsequent year letter by September 1st. Importantly, standardized testing is just one of five options - you can choose the method that works best for your child.
Maine's home instruction law allows parents to choose any one of these five assessment methods each year:
| Assessment Option | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Standardized Achievement Test |
|
| 2. Local District Test |
|
| 3. Certified Teacher Review |
|
| 4. Homeschool Support Group Review |
|
| 5. Local Advisory Board Review |
|
Important: You only need to complete ONE of these five assessment types each year - not all of them. Most Maine homeschoolers choose either a standardized test or a portfolio review by a certified teacher for convenience.
Tip: Keep complete records of all assessments for your personal files, even though you only need to submit summary results to officials.
Important Note: If you are enrolled in a RAPPS, confirm that the school is providing you with the required quarterly progress reports and understand how they evaluate student progress.
While Maine homeschooling laws are relatively flexible, maintaining good records is both legally required in some cases and practically beneficial for your homeschool journey.
Maine law requires 175 days of instruction per year for homeschooled students. While you don't need to submit attendance logs to the state regularly, maintaining a basic record is recommended to demonstrate compliance if ever questioned.
Maine law explicitly requires homeschool parents to keep copies of certain key documents until the homeschool program concludes.
Important: According to 20-A M.R.S. §5001-A(3)(A)(4)(c), maintaining these key filing documents is not optional but legally required.
In addition to legally required documents, maintaining these records is highly recommended for practical purposes:
Maine law provides strong privacy protections for homeschool records:
The privacy provision is found in Title 20-A, §5001-A and gives homeschool families stronger privacy protections than even traditional school students in some aspects.
A well-organized homeschool portfolio should contain:
If using the private school (RAPPS) option, recordkeeping responsibilities differ:
Important: Even though the school handles official records, parents should still maintain personal documentation of their child's education.
Create a simple filing system at the beginning of each school year with folders for legal documents, attendance, each subject area, and assessments. Set a regular time (weekly or monthly) to update your records. This routine makes end-of-year reporting much easier and creates a valuable record of your child's educational journey.
Maine's approach to homeschool oversight is relatively hands-off as long as parents fulfill the basic notification and assessment requirements.
There is no routine home inspection, curriculum approval, or state testing of homeschoolers beyond the annual assessment option you choose. Oversight is essentially carried out through the paperwork process and enforcement of the compulsory attendance law.
Your local School Administrative Unit (SAU) has specific responsibilities regarding homeschooling:
The Maine DOE explicitly reminds parents that because home instruction is an alternative under the compulsory attendance law, truancy laws do apply if a student is not in compliance.
School officials do not have authority to:
Tip: Most compliance issues can be easily resolved by promptly responding to notices and submitting any missing paperwork.
Under Maine law, a student is considered truant when they have:
For homeschoolers who haven't filed proper documentation, each day can potentially count as an unexcused absence.
Potential Penalties: A parent found in civil violation for a truant student may be fined up to $250 by a court. Courts can also order parents to take specific actions to ensure proper education, such as requiring parent training, counseling, or other services.
Homeschool Context: For homeschooling families who are trying to follow the law, enforcement rarely proceeds to court. Most issues are resolved at the initial contact stage by submitting missing documentation.
As a homeschooling parent in Maine, you have specific rights:
The key to avoiding oversight issues is simply fulfilling the notification and assessment requirements on time. Maintain copies of all submissions, respond promptly to any communications from officials, and keep good records. With these practices, most Maine homeschoolers experience minimal intervention in their educational programs.
Maine offers several important legal protections for homeschooling families, but there are also common pitfalls that should be avoided to maintain compliance with state law.
Maine law explicitly excuses a child from public school attendance if they are receiving instruction in a compliant home instruction program. This means:
Maine law provides strong privacy protections for homeschooling families:
Maine respects the autonomy of homeschooling families:
Under Title 20-A §5021, homeschooled students have certain participation rights:
Note: Not all homeschoolers choose to use this option, but it's a right protected by Maine statutes.
Homeschool students have specific exemptions from certain requirements:
Note: RAPPS schools may have health/safety regulations if operating in a group setting.
The most frequent pitfall is failing to submit required paperwork on time:
Ensure your Notice of Intent contains all five required components:
A common mistake is leaving out the assurance statements. Without all components, the notice may be considered incomplete, and the superintendent might return it or consider the filing insufficient.
Misunderstandings about where to file documents can create compliance issues:
When transitioning from school to homeschooling:
Know when notification is required:
Don't overlook these critical requirements:
The private school option has specific requirements:
Maine's legal framework is homeschool-friendly, with limited oversight and strong protections for educational freedom. By staying informed, organized, and attentive to the basic requirements, you can avoid these common pitfalls and enjoy the freedom to educate your children as you see fit. When in doubt, reach out to Maine's homeschool organizations or consult the Maine DOE's resources—it's easier to prevent an issue than to fix one later.
Homeschooling can feel daunting, but Maine has a supportive community and plenty of resources to help families succeed. Below are some key statewide organizations, local support networks, and online resources available to homeschooling families in Maine.
Maine has a robust homeschool community ready to support you. From statewide organizations to local co-ops, there are many places to find guidance, resources, and community connections.
The Maine DOE itself provides information for homeschoolers on its website, including:
The DOE site can be a valuable reference for understanding the rules straight from the source. They also list a School Enrollment Specialist at the DOE who can answer questions about home instruction. Don't hesitate to use these official channels if you need clarification on the law or procedures.
Homeschoolers of Maine – often abbreviated as HOME – is the primary statewide nonprofit homeschool advocacy and support organization in Maine. HOME has been serving Maine families for decades and is well-respected. They provide:
Contact HOME: (207) 763-2880, PO Box 159, Camden, ME 04843. Becoming a member provides additional benefits (discounts, email updates, etc.), but even non-members can access most information and events.
Apart from HOME, there are newer groups such as the Maine Home Education Alliance (MHEA) or similar networks (sometimes on social media) where homeschoolers share advice. These may not be as formal, but they often have Facebook groups or websites.
For example, MaineHEA (mainehea.org) provides tips and has its own forms and guides. Engaging with multiple communities can give you diverse perspectives and resources.
Throughout Maine, there are many local support groups, co-ops, and meet-up groups for homeschoolers. These can be city or county-based (e.g., Greater Portland Homeschoolers, Aroostook County Homeschoolers) or centered around specific interests (like nature-based co-ops or faith-based homeschooling groups).
Homeschoolers of Maine's "Support Networks" page often lists groups or at least the regional reps who can connect you. You can also find groups via Facebook by searching "homeschool [Your County or Town]."
Finding Local Groups: Check the HOME Regional Contacts page to connect with a regional representative who can direct you to local groups in your area.
Maine homeschoolers can also tap into the vast world of online homeschooling resources:
A national organization providing legal support and resources to homeschooling families with:
If you encounter legal issues, HOME and HSLDA often work together to assist families.
Social media has many Maine-specific homeschooling groups where parents ask questions and share resources.
These communities are informal but very helpful for day-to-day tips and for buying/selling used curriculum locally.
Don't overlook your local library – Maine libraries often support homeschoolers through:
The Maine State Museum, local historical societies, and science centers may have homeschool days or reduced admission for educational visits.
Maine's legislature has provisions for high school homeschoolers to access:
Check Maine DOE's Early College page or inquire with local colleges about enrolling a homeschooled high schooler in dual credit courses.
If you have a child with special education needs, homeschooling is still very much an option:
Connect with other parents who homeschool special needs children to learn what's available in your area.
If you opt for standardized testing for your annual assessment:
Visit HOME's Standardized Testing Options page for specific testing resources.
For high school homeschoolers planning for the future:
With a well-documented transcript and any required standardized test scores, homeschooled students are typically evaluated similarly to other college applicants.
The combination of official guidance from the Maine DOE, the robust support network from Homeschoolers of Maine, and many local and online communities means help is always available. Whether you need clarification on legal requirements, advice on curriculum, social outlets for your kids, or just moral support, Maine's homeschool community is known for being welcoming and resourceful. With the legal basics in hand and a supportive community at your side, you can navigate homeschooling in Maine with confidence and success.
Learning Corner offers several AI-powered tools that can assist Maine homeschoolers:
Analyze your student's activity to understand which concepts they're learning, helping Maine homeschool parents track academic progress across required subject areas.
Create custom quizzes and assessments to track student progress and ensure comprehensive coverage of Maine's required subject areas.
Generate customized worksheets for practice and reinforcement across all required Maine subject areas.
Create structured lesson plans that can serve as documentation of your instruction and help maintain recommended records for Maine homeschoolers.
Last Updated: April 28, 2025