Questions and answers to common questions – Do you have a question you would like answered? Please use the contact page and we’ll be happy to help find the answer.
How many children are actually homeschooled in the state?
- 2004-2005= 4,094
- 2005-2006= 4,721
- 2006-2007= 4,571
- 2007-2008= 4,897
- 2008-2009= 4,998
- 2009-2010= 4,927
- 2010-2011= 5,099
- 2011-2012 = 4,730
- 2012-2013 = 4,995
- 2013-2014 = 5,025
- 2014-2015 = 5,561
- 2015-2016 = 5,441
- 2016-2017 = 5,467
- 2017-2018 = 5,275
*Numbers are taken from the Maine State website, and do not include those using Option 2.
When should a parent or legal guardian use the Notice of Intent or the Subsequent Year Letter?
A Notice of Intent must be filed by the parent or legal guardian when homeschooling for the first time in Maine. File the notice within 10 days of withdrawal from school if you are starting during the school year. If you are starting at the beginning of the school year, a Notice of Intent must be filed by Sept. 1. The notice must be filed with the Maine DOE and your local school superintendent.
A Subsequent Year Letter, including the results of an annual assessment, must be filed by Sept. 1 of each subsequent year of homeschooling after the initial Notice of Intent has been filed.
Will my child be able to graduate our homeschool without an “accredited” diploma?
Much hype is made over accreditation. Thankfully many homeschooling pioneers have paved the way for us and many more secondary institutions realize the benefit of having home educated students enrolled. Today it’s more an exception than the norm to have a secondary institute deny your child admission based solely on not having an accredited diploma. This is really an arbitrary piece of paper. You need to be sure you can back up what you have on their transcript and be prepared to educate the school of their choice if they decide to require this. In fact, you may want to check out the local public school in your district. Many public schools are NOT accredited either which means the students graduating from those institutions are not receiving “accredited” diplomas either. Sadly, they are still viewed as if they do have one. Scroll to the bottom of this page on the Maine DOE website to check all the schools in Maine. You may just be surprised what you find.
Do I need to file a Notice of Intent for my 5-year-old child?
According to Maine law, school attendance is compulsory from the seventh birthday to the 17th birthday.
Does the Maine DOE send the parent a letter or notice after the Notice of Intent or Subsequent Year Letter has been received?
No. You should send the letters of intent with a postal return receipt to keep for their records.
Do annual assessment results have to be submitted along with the Subsequent Year Letter?
Yes. Subsequent Year Letters with assessment results are due by Sept. 1st to the Maine DOE and your local school superintendent’s office. Subsequent Year Letters that are submitted to the Maine DOE without annual assessment results will be returned.
Is the parent or legal guardian required to submit an annual assessment every year?
Yes. In the event that the student will not be homeschooling, or is going to be enrolled in a Recognized School in the subsequent year, annual assessment results are still required. However, it would be helpful to include a note along with the assessment results stating that the student will no longer be homeschooling or that they will be enrolled in the Recognized School.
What should a parent or legal guardian do in the event that the student ceases homeschooling during the school year?
If homeschooling ceases and the child is still of compulsory school attendance age, parents must comply with attendance laws in some other way. As a courtesy, please notify the DOE so that they will not be expecting annual assessment results to be filed.
How many days and hours of instruction are required?
A total of at least 175 instructional days are required. There is no hourly requirement, per day or per year.
Is there a fee to homeschool in Maine?
There is no fee charged. However, parents bear the responsibility for all costs.
Are homeschoolers eligible to receive laptops through the Maine Learning Technology Initiative?
No, this program is not available to homeschooled students.
What are the curriculum standards for each grade level?
Subjects must include English, 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), the student must demonstrate proficiency in use of computers (at one grade level from 7 to 12). There are no specific curriculum standards for Maine homeschoolers.
If a parent or legal guardian begins homeschooling during the school year, must they provide at least 175 instructional days?
No. The number of days that the student attended school prior to homeschooling can be deducted from the 175 instructional day requirement.