Maine · Some paperwork

Homeschooling in Maine

Maine asks you to file a notice before you begin. Here is what goes in it, when it is due, and what happens after.

VerifiedMarch 2026

Notice of intentFile every yearWithin 10 days of starting homeschool initially; annually by September 1 for continuation. Annual renewal includes year-end assessment results and a statement of intent to continue.

Yearly assessmentYes, each year

Instruction time175 days a year

RecordsYour choice

How to start homeschooling in Maine

Written from Maine's own rules. If a step is missing below, it is because your state does not ask for it.

Withdraw from the school your child attends now
If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are moving to home education. Keep a dated copy for yourself — it is the record that closes out their enrollment.
Send your notice of intent
Maine asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: Within 10 days of starting homeschool initially; annually by September 1 for continuation. Annual renewal includes year-end assessment results and a statement of intent to continue. You will do this again at the start of every school year. It goes to Maine Department of Education / Local School Superintendent.
Cover the subjects the state names
Maine names 9 subject areas to teach. How you teach them, in what order, and with which materials is entirely up to you.
Keep a light record as you go
Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. Maine does not require you to keep records, but a simple folder of work samples makes transcripts and college applications far easier later on.
Plan the yearly assessment early
Maine asks for an assessment each year. You can choose from: Nationally normed standardized achievement test results; Local school district-developed test results; Written letter from a Maine state-certified teacher confirming acceptable progress; Advisory board letter (signed by two homeschool teachers plus one public school official) confirming acceptable progress. Deciding in the autumn which route you will take saves a scramble in the spring.

Source: Maine Department of Education / Local School Superintendent — www.maine.gov/doe/schools/homeschooling. Checked March 2026.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it: Maine Department of Education / Local School Superintendent
When it is due: Within 10 days of starting homeschool initially; annually by September 1 for continuation. Annual renewal includes year-end assessment results and a statement of intent to continue.
How often: Every school year
Notarized?: No
Official form: www.maine.gov/doe/schools/homeschooling
Ongoing reporting: Yes, once a year

Source: Maine Department of Education / Local School Superintendent — www.maine.gov/doe/schools/homeschooling. Checked March 2026.

Testing, portfolios and reviews

Assessment: Required each year
Ways to meet it: Nationally normed standardized achievement test results
Local school district-developed test results
Written letter from a Maine state-certified teacher confirming acceptable progress
Advisory board letter (signed by two homeschool teachers plus one public school official) confirming acceptable progress
Named tests: Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS)Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10)CAT/5 (California Achievement Test)Terra NovaAny nationally normed standardized achievement test
Portfolio: Not required

Source: Maine Department of Education / Local School Superintendent — www.maine.gov/doe/schools/homeschooling. Checked March 2026.

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects: English/Language ArtsMathematicsScienceSocial StudiesPhysical Education and HealthLibrary SkillsFine ArtsMaine Studies (grades 6–12)Computer Proficiency (grades 7–12)
Instruction time: 175 days a year
Who may teach: No teaching certificate, degree, or credential is required of you.
Keeping records: No retention period is set. Keeping a simple folder is still worth doing.
Legal routes: Option 1 – Home Instruction: Parent provides direct instruction for 175 days, files notice within 10 days of starting, renews annually by September 1 with assessment results. Assessments required annually.
Option 2 – Recognized Equivalent Private School (REPS): Family joins or establishes a state-recognized equivalent private school. School must meet private school requirements including a certified teacher on staff. Assessments determined by the school's own policies.
Umbrella / cover schools: Maine's REPS (Recognized Equivalent Private School) pathway is functionally equivalent to an umbrella/cover school. Families may join an existing REPS to satisfy the private school pathway. The REPS is responsible for ensuring compliance with state private school rules.

Source: Maine Department of Education / Local School Superintendent — www.maine.gov/doe/schools/homeschooling. Checked March 2026.

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Public school sports: Maine statute grants homeschooled students access to public school classes and extracurricular activities (including sports), subject to superintendent approval, which may not be unreasonably withheld. Students must meet the same eligibility criteria as enrolled students. A 2003 federal court ruling (Pelletier v. Maine Principals' Assn.) clarified that state athletic associations may restrict homeschoolers on private school teams from interscholastic competition without violating federal law.
Dual enrollment: Maine's Postsecondary Enrollment Option allows qualifying homeschooled students to take college courses at no cost. Students must comply with home instruction requirements and meet institution deadlines. Community college and university courses are eligible.
Diplomas: Maine public school districts do not issue diplomas to students not enrolled in public schools. Homeschoolers may earn a diploma through an accredited REPS or private school program, an accredited online/correspondence school, or a parent-issued transcript. GED is available at age 16 (with restrictions). Colleges typically require SAT/ACT scores, a parent-prepared transcript, and course descriptions.
College admissions: Maine colleges and universities routinely accept homeschool applicants. SAT/ACT scores recommended. Accredited program transcripts (via REPS or accredited online school) carry additional weight. University of Maine system has experience with homeschool applicants.
Support for additional needs: Homeschooled students in Maine do not retain full FAPE rights. Statute appears to grant some access to special education services, but school districts have generally taken the position that homeschoolers are ineligible for ongoing services. Families may request Child Find evaluations voluntarily; services are not guaranteed.

Source: Maine Department of Education / Local School Superintendent — www.maine.gov/doe/schools/homeschooling. Checked March 2026.

Money your family can claim in Maine

No program on file yet

We do not have a verified Maine education savings account, scholarship, or tax credit for homeschooling families on file. That may mean the state has none, or it may mean we have not confirmed one yet — we would rather say so than point you at something we have not checked. State programs change often, so it is worth asking Maine Department of Education / Local School Superintendent directly.

See the states where funding is confirmed →

Questions parents ask about Maine

Is homeschooling legal in Maine?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Maine. Maine has moderate homeschool regulation — some requirements apply but they are generally manageable. Koydo can track your compliance automatically.

Do I need to file a Notice of Intent to homeschool in Maine?

Yes. Maine requires families to file a Notice of Intent by Within 10 days of starting homeschool initially; annually by September 1 for continuation. Annual renewal includes year-end assessment results and a statement of intent to continue.. This notice must be renewed annually.

How many instruction days are required in Maine?

Maine requires 175 days a year.

What subjects are required by law in Maine?

Maine requires instruction in the following subjects: English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education and Health, Library Skills, Fine Arts, Maine Studies (grades 6–12), Computer Proficiency (grades 7–12).

Does Maine require annual assessment for homeschoolers?

Yes. Maine requires annual assessment. Accepted methods include: Nationally normed standardized achievement test results, Local school district-developed test results, Written letter from a Maine state-certified teacher confirming acceptable progress, Advisory board letter (signed by two homeschool teachers plus one public school official) confirming acceptable progress.

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Maine?

No. Maine does not require parents to hold a teaching certificate or any specific educational credential to homeschool their children.

Can homeschoolers participate in public school sports in Maine?

Yes. Maine has a law (sometimes called a "Tim Tebow" law) allowing homeschooled students to participate in public school extracurricular activities. Maine statute grants homeschooled students access to public school classes and extracurricular activities (including sports), subject to superintendent approval, which may not be unreasonably withheld. Students must meet the same eligibility criteria as enrolled students. A 2003 federal court ruling (Pelletier v. Maine Principals' Assn.) clarified that state athletic associations may restrict homeschoolers on private school teams from interscholastic competition without violating federal law.

Source: Maine Department of Education / Local School Superintendent — www.maine.gov/doe/schools/homeschooling. Checked March 2026.

Worth knowing about Maine

Maine is a moderate-regulation state. The two-pathway system gives families choice. Option 1 is more common; annual assessment by a Maine-certified teacher or via standardized test is the most common compliance method. The Maine Home Education Association (MHEA) is the primary state advocacy group. Families joining a REPS should verify the school is currently recognized by the state. Compulsory ages: 6–17.

Source: Maine Department of Education / Local School Superintendent — www.maine.gov/doe/schools/homeschooling. Checked March 2026.

Who to ask in Maine

Regulator: Maine Department of Education / Local School Superintendent
Official site: www.maine.gov/doe/schools/homeschooling
Forms: www.maine.gov/doe/schools/homeschooling

Free tools for your first year

Everything below works whether or not you ever pay us a penny. Use what helps with Maine's requirements and ignore the rest.

Transcript builderBuild a clean high-school transcript with GPA and credits, ready to send to a college.Paperwork generatorFill in your details and get the letter or affidavit your state expects, already worded for it.Printable worksheetsPrint practice pages by grade and subject for the days a screen is the wrong answer.Instruction day logTick off days as you go so the count is already done when your state asks for it.State fundingSee whether your state puts education money in your hands, and how to claim it.Starting guideThe whole first year in five steps, written for someone who has never done this before.

Other states

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii All 51 →

This page was written from Maine's published rules and last checked in March 2026. Laws change between checks, so confirm anything you are about to file with Maine Department of Education / Local School Superintendent. This is information for families, not legal advice.

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