Everything you need to know about homeschooling in Maine. Annual Notice of Intent required, 175 days of instruction, annual assessment with multiple options, and 9 required subjects including Maine Studies. Updated for the 2025-2026 school year.
Maine has moderate regulation for homeschool families. The state requires an annual Notice of Intent to your local school superintendent, 175 days of instruction, coverage of nine required subjects, and an annual assessment. While this is more oversight than some states, Maine offers families significant flexibility in how they teach and multiple assessment options to choose from.
The legal foundation comes from 20-A M.R.S. § 5001-A, which establishes "equivalent instruction" as the standard for home education. This means your instruction must cover the same basic skill areas taught in public schools, but you have full freedom to choose your own curriculum, teaching methods, and schedule.
No teaching credentials or specific qualifications are required for parents. The annual assessment can be completed through several methods, including portfolio review and standardized testing, giving you the flexibility to choose what works best for your family.
Maine's 10-day filing deadline is one of the tightest in the country. File your Notice of Intent with your local superintendent within 10 days of beginning home instruction. Do not wait - have your notice ready before you start teaching.
Maine has a single primary compliance path for homeschool families: providing equivalent instruction under the oversight of your local school board. There is also an Option 2 through the Maine DOE for some families, but most use the standard local school board path.
| Requirement | Maine Homeschool (Equivalent Instruction) |
|---|---|
| Legal Basis | 20-A M.R.S. § 5001-A |
| Notification | Notice of Intent to superintendent (within 10 days) |
| Attendance | 175 days of instruction |
| Teacher Qualification | None required |
| Required Subjects | 9 subjects (including Maine Studies) |
| Curriculum Approval | Not required |
| Assessment | Annual (5 methods available) |
| Record-Keeping | Notice of Intent + assessment results |
Under Maine law, "equivalent instruction" means home instruction that covers the basic skills of reading, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and physical and health education. Your instruction must be equivalent in scope, not identical in method or materials. You choose how to teach - the state only requires that you cover the required areas.
Maine does not approve or review your curriculum choices. You are free to use any materials, any approach, and any teaching style. The state's interest is limited to confirming that you are providing instruction in the required subject areas and assessing progress annually.
Starting homeschool in Maine involves filing a Notice of Intent with your local school superintendent. The process is straightforward but time-sensitive - you must file within 10 days of beginning instruction.
You must file your Notice of Intent within 10 days of beginning home instruction. This is one of the shortest filing windows in the country. Prepare your notice in advance so you can submit it on or before your first day of instruction. Filing late can create compliance issues with your school district.
Send your Notice of Intent via certified mail or email so you have proof of delivery and the date sent. Keep a copy for your records. Blue Folder can generate your Notice of Intent pre-filled with your information. Try it free →
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Generate your Notice of Intent, track your 175 days, and manage your annual assessment automatically.
Maine requires an annual Notice of Intent filed with your local school superintendent. This is your primary compliance document.
| When | What | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Within 10 days of starting | Notice of Intent | Submit to local school superintendent. Include child info and curriculum description. |
| Annually (each fall) | Annual Notice of Intent | Renewal required each year you continue homeschooling. |
The superintendent receives your notice but does not need to approve it. This is a notification, not an application for permission. You do not need to wait for a response before beginning instruction.
Your relationship with your local superintendent is important in Maine. While they cannot deny your right to homeschool, they may request your assessment results. Be professional and timely with your filings. A good working relationship makes the process smoother for everyone.
Maine requires instruction in nine subject areas. This is more subjects than many states require, but you have full freedom in how you teach them and what materials you use.
Maine Studies covers the history, geography, and government of Maine. This is a unique requirement that must be included at some point during your home instruction. It does not need to be a separate course every year - many families incorporate it into their social studies or history curriculum over the course of their homeschool years.
Library skills involve teaching your child how to locate, evaluate, and use information resources. This can include visits to your local library, learning to use reference materials, research skills, digital literacy, and information organization. Many families naturally cover this through regular library use and research projects.
Do not let the nine-subject requirement overwhelm you. Many of these subjects overlap naturally. A nature walk can cover science and physical education. A local history field trip can address social studies and Maine Studies. Reading a novel covers language arts and potentially library skills. Think about integration, not isolation.
Maine requires 175 days of instruction. There is no minimum hourly requirement, and you set your own schedule. You do not need to follow the public school calendar.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Days | 175 days |
| Hours | Not specified |
| Schedule | Parent determines |
| Attendance reporting | Not required to submit (keep for your records) |
Track your 175 days carefully. While you do not need to submit attendance records, the superintendent may request documentation. Keeping a simple daily log protects you and helps you stay on pace. A typical September-through-June schedule easily covers 175 days. Blue Folder tracks your days automatically with a calendar that counts as you go. Try it free →
Maine requires an annual assessment of every homeschooled student. This is the most significant compliance requirement in Maine. However, the state offers five different assessment methods, giving you flexibility to choose what works best for your family.
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Standardized Test | Any state-approved standardized achievement test |
| Local School Test | Take the same assessment used by your local public school |
| Written Evaluation | Evaluation by a Maine certified teacher who reviews student work |
| Portfolio Review | Review of student work portfolio by a Maine certified teacher |
| Other Method | Any other method approved by the Commissioner of Education |
The portfolio review by a certified teacher is popular among homeschool families because it offers the most flexibility. You compile samples of your child's work throughout the year, and a certified teacher reviews them. This avoids the pressure of a single test day and lets you showcase your child's actual learning. Start collecting work samples from the beginning of the year.
For the written evaluation or portfolio review options, you need a Maine certified teacher. Connect with your local homeschool group - many groups maintain lists of teachers willing to do evaluations. Some retired teachers offer this service. Start looking well before the end of the school year.
Maine requires you to maintain certain records and make them available upon request. Here is what you need.
Since your superintendent can request assessment results and documentation, keeping organized records is especially important in Maine. Build a compliance binder with your Notice of Intent, assessment results, attendance log, and representative work samples. Blue Folder organizes all of this for you and generates a ready-to-share binder. Try it free →
Maine does not have a statewide law guaranteeing homeschool students access to public school sports or extracurricular activities. Participation is entirely at the discretion of your local school district.
The MPA governs public school athletics in Maine. Policies regarding homeschool student participation vary by school. Contact your local school directly to inquire about their policy.
Maine colleges accept homeschool graduates. For admission, you will typically need:
Notable institutions that accept homeschool graduates include the University of Maine System (UMaine, USM, and others), Bates College, Bowdoin College, Colby College, and Maine's community colleges. Requirements vary by institution - contact admissions offices directly.
| Program | Available to Homeschoolers? |
|---|---|
| ESA | No |
| Vouchers | No |
| Tax Credits | No |
| Tax Deductions | No |
Maine does not currently offer ESAs, vouchers, or tax benefits for homeschool families. All homeschool expenses are paid out of pocket. However, many free and low-cost curriculum options are available, and Maine's public libraries are excellent resources.
Maine's homeschool requirements are manageable, but new families frequently make these avoidable mistakes.
The annual assessment is Maine's most important ongoing requirement. Missing it puts your homeschool compliance at risk. Choose your assessment method at the beginning of the school year and put the completion deadline on your calendar. If using portfolio review, collect work samples throughout the year - not just at the end.
No. You file a Notice of Intent, which is a notification - not a request for permission. You do not need approval to begin. File within 10 days of starting and proceed with your instruction.
Some superintendents may request more documentation than the law requires. Know your rights under 20-A M.R.S. § 5001-A. You are required to file your Notice of Intent and provide assessment results upon request. Contact HSLDA or a local homeschool group if you face overreach.
Connect with local and statewide homeschool groups in Maine. Many maintain lists of certified teachers who provide evaluations. Retired teachers often offer this service. Some families befriend a certified teacher through their community or church. Start your search early in the year.
No. Maine Studies (history, geography, and government of Maine) must be included at some point during home instruction, but it can be woven into your social studies or history curriculum. A unit on Maine history or a field trip to the state capital would satisfy this requirement.
Maine accepts state-approved standardized achievement tests. Common options include the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, Stanford Achievement Test, and similar nationally normed assessments. Contact your superintendent if you are unsure which tests are approved.
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Track Maine ComplianceDisclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Homeschool laws can change. Always verify current requirements with the Maine Department of Education or consult a qualified attorney. For more information, see Maine DOE Home Instruction and the HSLDA Maine Summary. Last updated February 2026.