Massachusetts · Detailed rules

Homeschooling in Massachusetts

Massachusetts 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 yearSubmit education plan to local school committee or superintendent BEFORE beginning homeschool instruction and obtain approval. Annual renewal of approval required at the start of each school year.

Yearly assessmentYes, each year

Instruction time180 days a year

RecordsYour choice

How to start homeschooling in Massachusetts

Written from Massachusetts'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
Massachusetts asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: Submit education plan to local school committee or superintendent BEFORE beginning homeschool instruction and obtain approval. Annual renewal of approval required at the start of each school year. You will do this again at the start of every school year. It goes to Local School Committee / Superintendent (no statewide homeschool statute; governed by Charles case law and MGL Ch. 76 § 1).
Cover the subjects the state names
Massachusetts names 13 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. Massachusetts 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
Massachusetts asks for an assessment each year. You can choose from: Periodic standardized testing (method must be mutually agreed upon by parents and school committee); Periodic progress reports reviewed by superintendent or school committee; Portfolio of student work reviewed annually; Evaluation by a qualified professional agreed upon by both parties; MCAS participation (voluntary for homeschoolers). Deciding in the autumn which route you will take saves a scramble in the spring.

Source: Local School Committee / Superintendent (no statewide homeschool statute; governed by Charles case law and MGL Ch. 76 § 1) — www.doe.mass.edu/homedtutor/. Checked March 2026.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it: Local School Committee / Superintendent (no statewide homeschool statute; governed by Charles case law and MGL Ch. 76 § 1)
When it is due: Submit education plan to local school committee or superintendent BEFORE beginning homeschool instruction and obtain approval. Annual renewal of approval required at the start of each school year.
How often: Every school year
Notarized?: No
Ongoing reporting: Yes, once a year
Permit: A permit or registration is required before instruction begins.

Source: Local School Committee / Superintendent (no statewide homeschool statute; governed by Charles case law and MGL Ch. 76 § 1) — www.doe.mass.edu/homedtutor/. Checked March 2026.

Testing, portfolios and reviews

Assessment: Required each year
Ways to meet it: Periodic standardized testing (method must be mutually agreed upon by parents and school committee)
Periodic progress reports reviewed by superintendent or school committee
Portfolio of student work reviewed annually
Evaluation by a qualified professional agreed upon by both parties
MCAS participation (voluntary for homeschoolers)
Named tests: Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS)Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10)CAT/5 (California Achievement Test)Terra NovaSAT / ACT (high school level)Any standardized test mutually agreed upon with the school committee
Portfolio: Not required

Source: Local School Committee / Superintendent (no statewide homeschool statute; governed by Charles case law and MGL Ch. 76 § 1) — www.doe.mass.edu/homedtutor/. Checked March 2026.

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects: SpellingReadingWritingEnglish language and grammarGeographyArithmeticDrawingMusicHistory of the United States and the ConstitutionDuties of citizenshipHealth (including CPR instruction)Physical educationGood behavior/social skills
Instruction time: 180 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: Single pathway: Submit education plan to local school committee or superintendent for APPROVAL before beginning instruction. Plan must include: proposed curriculum and instructional hours, evidence of parental competency, list of instructional materials, and proposed assessment method. Approval is required prior to starting; if denied or requirements are unreasonable, families may appeal to the courts or contact AHEM/HSLDA. Annual renewal of approval required.

Source: Local School Committee / Superintendent (no statewide homeschool statute; governed by Charles case law and MGL Ch. 76 § 1) — www.doe.mass.edu/homedtutor/. Checked March 2026.

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Public school sports: MIAA (Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association) Rule 54 allows homeschooled students to participate on public school sports teams provided they comply with the school's policy and MIAA requirements. Several Massachusetts trial courts have also ruled in favor of broader public school access (classes, activities) based on the superintendent's oversight role. Access varies significantly by district; there is no statutory mandate.
Dual enrollment: Massachusetts homeschoolers may participate in public school classes and programs at the discretion of local school committees. There is no statutory mandate for access. Some districts allow part-time enrollment; others do not. Community college dual enrollment (Massachusetts Early College and dual enrollment programs) is available at institutional discretion. AHEM (ahem.info) tracks district-by-district access policies.
Diplomas: Massachusetts public schools do not issue diplomas to students not enrolled in public school. Homeschoolers may earn diplomas through accredited correspondence, online, or private school programs. MCAS participation is voluntary for homeschoolers. GED is available as an alternative credential. Parent-issued diplomas are used and accepted by many colleges.
College admissions: Massachusetts colleges (UMass system, MIT, Harvard, Boston College, many community colleges) accept homeschool applicants. SAT/ACT strongly recommended. UMass and many private colleges have clear homeschool application processes. Portfolio documentation and accredited program transcripts carry the most weight.
Support for additional needs: Homeschooled students in Massachusetts do not retain FAPE rights after withdrawal. Districts must conduct Child Find evaluations upon request. Some districts offer limited services (e.g., speech therapy) on a resource-available basis under IDEA 'parentally placed private school students' provisions. IEP services are not guaranteed.

Source: Local School Committee / Superintendent (no statewide homeschool statute; governed by Charles case law and MGL Ch. 76 § 1) — www.doe.mass.edu/homedtutor/. Checked March 2026.

Money your family can claim in Massachusetts

No program on file yet

We do not have a verified Massachusetts 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 Local School Committee / Superintendent (no statewide homeschool statute; governed by Charles case law and MGL Ch. 76 § 1) directly.

See the states where funding is confirmed →

Questions parents ask about Massachusetts

Is homeschooling legal in Massachusetts?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Massachusetts. Massachusetts has stricter homeschool regulations than most states. Koydo's compliance tracking tools are especially valuable here to avoid missing deadlines.

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

Yes. Massachusetts requires families to file a Notice of Intent by Submit education plan to local school committee or superintendent BEFORE beginning homeschool instruction and obtain approval. Annual renewal of approval required at the start of each school year.. This notice must be renewed annually.

How many instruction days are required in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts requires 180 days a year.

What subjects are required by law in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts requires instruction in the following subjects: Spelling, Reading, Writing, English language and grammar, Geography, Arithmetic, Drawing, Music, History of the United States and the Constitution, Duties of citizenship, Health (including CPR instruction), Physical education, Good behavior/social skills.

Does Massachusetts require annual assessment for homeschoolers?

Yes. Massachusetts requires annual assessment. Accepted methods include: Periodic standardized testing (method must be mutually agreed upon by parents and school committee), Periodic progress reports reviewed by superintendent or school committee, Portfolio of student work reviewed annually, Evaluation by a qualified professional agreed upon by both parties, MCAS participation (voluntary for homeschoolers).

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Massachusetts?

No. Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts?

Yes. Massachusetts has a law (sometimes called a "Tim Tebow" law) allowing homeschooled students to participate in public school extracurricular activities. MIAA (Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association) Rule 54 allows homeschooled students to participate on public school sports teams provided they comply with the school's policy and MIAA requirements. Several Massachusetts trial courts have also ruled in favor of broader public school access (classes, activities) based on the superintendent's oversight role. Access varies significantly by district; there is no statutory mandate.

Source: Local School Committee / Superintendent (no statewide homeschool statute; governed by Charles case law and MGL Ch. 76 § 1) — www.doe.mass.edu/homedtutor/. Checked March 2026.

Worth knowing about Massachusetts

Massachusetts is one of the most restrictive states due to the school committee APPROVAL requirement derived from the Charles case (1987). There is no homeschool statute — only case law and local policy. Outcomes vary dramatically by district: some committees approve plans quickly; others impose burdensome requirements. AHEM (Advocates for Home Education in Massachusetts, ahem.info) is the primary advocacy group and tracks district compliance with Charles. Families encountering unreasonable demands should contact HSLDA or AHEM. Compulsory ages: 6–16.

Source: Local School Committee / Superintendent (no statewide homeschool statute; governed by Charles case law and MGL Ch. 76 § 1) — www.doe.mass.edu/homedtutor/. Checked March 2026.

Who to ask in Massachusetts

Regulator: Local School Committee / Superintendent (no statewide homeschool statute; governed by Charles case law and MGL Ch. 76 § 1)
Official site: www.doe.mass.edu/homedtutor/

Free tools for your first year

Everything below works whether or not you ever pay us a penny. Use what helps with Massachusetts'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 Massachusetts's published rules and last checked in March 2026. Laws change between checks, so confirm anything you are about to file with Local School Committee / Superintendent (no statewide homeschool statute; governed by Charles case law and MGL Ch. 76 § 1). This is information for families, not legal advice.

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