Homeschooling in Maine
Tend Wonder makes it easy to start homeschooling in Maine. This guide explains who can homeschool, how to give notice, what to plan and record, and how testing works. Tend Wonder then follows your child’s curiosity and helps you find hands-on ideas, books, resources and nearby experiences around Maine. Document your learning together in a Learning Journey, and use Education Coverage to see how your child’s activities connect to learning areas in Maine.
Requirements
How to start homeschooling in Maine
Ages and exceptions
You may deduct days your child attended school before starting home instruction from the 175 required instructional days.
Register or give notice
You must file your first notice within 10 days of withdrawing from school or by September 1 if starting with the new school year.
You must submit your continuing notice and prior year assessment together by September 1.
Plan instruction
You must provide at least 175 instructional days, with no required number of hours.
You must teach English and language arts, math, science, social studies, physical education, health education, library skills and fine arts.
You must include Maine studies in at least one grade from 6 to 12 and computer proficiency in one grade from 7 to 12.
Keep records
You must retain copies of filed information until home instruction concludes and provide the records to the commissioner on request.
Assessments and testing
You may satisfy the annual assessment requirement through a review and acceptance of your child's progress by a currently certified Maine teacher.
Official resources
- Home Instruction Frequently Asked Questions - Maine.gov
Maine Department of Education
- Title 20-A, §5001-A: Compulsory attendance - Maine Legislature
Maine Legislature
- Home Instruction Requirements, Forms & Laws - Maine.gov
Maine Department of Education
Sources checked November 4, 2026
General information, not legal advice. Requirements can change. Check the official resources for your family's circumstances.
Financial support
Homeschool funding in Maine
Our check of official sources found no state funding, scholarship, education savings account or tax program that homeschooling families in Maine can use.
Good to know
If your homeschooled child takes academic courses on site at a public school, the school unit can receive a state subsidy.
Official sources
Last checked November 4, 2026. Eligibility rules change, so confirm with the program before applying.
Your homeschool journey starts with their curiosity.
Discover activities, books, and nearby experiences around your child’s interests. Record their learning and see the learning areas they explore along the way.