Maine homeschool requirements and record-keeping, 2026-27
In Maine you send a written notice of intent within 10 calendar days of beginning home instruction. It goes at the same time to your local school officials and to the Commissioner of Education. The notice gives assurances of at least 175 days of instruction a year in the required subjects and of an annual assessment. On or before September 1 of each later year, you send both a letter saying you will continue, with a copy of an annual assessment. You keep copies of what you file until the home instruction program ends.
What you file and when
- Written notice of intent: parent's name, signature and address; child's name and age; start date; assurance of 175 days and the required subjects; assurance of an annual assessment
To: Local school officials and the Commissioner of Education, at the same time. When: Within 10 calendar days of beginning home instruction - Letter of intent to continue, with a copy of the annual assessment
To: Local school officials and the Commissioner. When: On or before September 1 of each subsequent year
Dates to keep in mind
- Annual letter and assessment due: September 1
What you keep
- Copies of the notices and assessments you filed, kept until the home instruction program concludes
Portfolio. Optional; one assessment route is a portfolio review.
How long to keep it. Keep copies until the home instruction program concludes.
Who evaluates. Optional routes: a Maine-certified teacher; a homeschool support group with a certified Maine teacher or administrator reviewing a portfolio; or a local advisory board chosen by the superintendent.
Assessment. One of: a standardized achievement test (through the district or an arrangement approved by the commissioner); a district-developed test; review by a Maine-certified teacher; portfolio review by a support group that includes a certified Maine teacher or administrator; or review by a local advisory board. Options that use the district must be agreed before you file the notice of intent.
Hours, days and subjects
- 175 days a year
- Compulsory attendance ages: 6 to 17
Subjects. English and language arts; Math; Science; Social studies; Physical education; Health education; Library skills; Fine arts; Maine studies (in at least one grade from 6 to 12); Computer proficiency (demonstrated at one grade from 7 to 12) (not core).
Work out your hours for Maine with the free calculator.
Things people miss
- Assessment methods that involve the school district (district test, advisory board) have to be agreed before you file the notice of intent.
- The first notice goes to both your local school officials and the Commissioner at the same time.
- Directory information you file is confidential unless you permit disclosure in writing.
Official sources
- 20-A M.R.S. § 5001-A Compulsory attendance (home instruction at sub-§3(A)(4)) (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 20-A, § 5001-A)
Verified checked on 2026-10-18
How Schoolkeeper helps
A twenty-second daily log, and then an export in the shape Maine asks for:
- An attendance record showing the days you taught, counted against 175.
- A portfolio of work samples, photos and what they read, in date order.
- Minutes by subject, totalled for the year.
Questions parents ask
What do I have to file to homeschool in Maine?
Written notice of intent: parent's name, signature and address; child's name and age; start date; assurance of 175 days and the required subjects; assurance of an annual assessment, to Local school officials and the Commissioner of Education, at the same time. When: Within 10 calendar days of beginning home instruction. Letter of intent to continue, with a copy of the annual assessment, to Local school officials and the Commissioner. When: On or before September 1 of each subsequent year.
What records do I keep for homeschooling in Maine?
Copies of the notices and assessments you filed, kept until the home instruction program concludes.
How many hours or days does Maine ask for?
Maine asks for 175 days a year.
Does Maine require testing or an evaluation?
One of: a standardized achievement test (through the district or an arrangement approved by the commissioner); a district-developed test; review by a Maine-certified teacher; portfolio review by a support group that includes a certified Maine teacher or administrator; or review by a local advisory board. Options that use the district must be agreed before you file the notice of intent.
This is a plain-English summary with its sources, not legal advice. Tell us if this is wrong.