Maine · 2026-2027 school year
Maine home instruction rules, 2026-2027
Last checked against Maine law and the state's own pages:
Know the law. Keep your records. Teach your day.
This guide covers home instruction. The rules below come from Maine law. Trellis tools are your choice. For a hard case, ask Maine DOE or a Maine lawyer.
2026-2027 at a glance Maine law
- Start. Send a notice to your local public school office and the state. Do this within 10 calendar days after home instruction starts.
- Teach. Teach eight subjects each year. Add Maine studies once in grades 6 to 12. Show computer skills once in grades 7 to 12.
- Check progress. Pick one of five yearly progress check choices. One is an approved standardized achievement test. If your public school office gives that test, get its agreement before your notice.
- Each year after. By September 1, send a later-year letter with last year's progress check.
- Keep. Keep your filed records until the home instruction program ends. Give them to the state education office only if asked.
1. Who this covers
Maine's school attendance rule starts at age 6 and ends before 17. A never-enrolled 5-year-old has no home instruction notice to file. An enrolled 5-year-old must attend until taken out. A never-enrolled child turns six in October. The rule starts on that sixth birthday.
If you choose home instruction, the notice clock starts when home instruction begins. File the first notice within 10 calendar days.
This page covers Maine's home instruction path.
20-A M.R.S. § 5001-A(1), (1-A), (3)2. Send your first notice
The same notice must reach your local public school office and the state. Send it within 10 calendar days after home instruction starts. District means that local public school office.
You send it once, not twice. Maine's web form sends it to both places. For paper, send one copy to your local superintendent's office. Maine DOE says that office sends it to the state.
The notice names the parent and child. Give the parent's address and signature. Give the child's age and the start date. Promise 175 days, the named subjects, and a yearly progress check.
Your notice needs no approval. The district and state only receive it.
Some progress choices need district agreement before your notice
Get district agreement first if you choose its standard test, own test, or local board. The law names none for a Maine-approved outside test. It names none for a teacher or home-school group review. See each choice.
3. Days and subjects
Teach at least 175 days each year. Maine sets no hours for a day, year, or subject.
Teach these eight subjects each year:
- English and language arts
- Math
- Science
- Social studies
- Physical education
- Health education
- Library skills
- Fine arts
Add Maine studies once in grades 6 to 12. Show computer skills once in grades 7 to 12.
Home instruction needs no approval or review of your books and courses. Maine asks for no parent license or home visit. It sets no one test or fixed school calendar.
20-A M.R.S. § 5001-A(3)(A)(4)(a) · Maine DOE: Questions4. Each year after
By September 1 each later year, send a letter saying home instruction will go on. Send it with last year's progress check. The district and state must receive both.
Your first notice needs no earlier progress check. Keep a copy of what you send.
20-A M.R.S. § 5001-A(3)(A)(4)(b)5. Ways to show progress
A yearly progress check shows what your child learned. Choose one:
Compare the two test choices
- A standardized test means each child gets the same directions and scoring. If your district gives it, get agreement before the first notice. If another approved way gives it, no district agreement is named.
- Test made by your district. Get district agreement before your first notice.
Compare the three review choices
- Review by a Maine teacher whose certificate is up to date. You choose the person. No district agreement is named. They review and accept your child's progress.
- Review by a home-school group. No district agreement. The group reviews and accepts progress using a set of your child's work. It must include a Maine-certified teacher or school leader.
- Review by a local board. The superintendent chooses the board. The board reviews and accepts progress. Get district agreement before your first notice.
When a portfolio is needed
A portfolio means a set of your child's work. Maine names one for the home-school group choice. The teacher may ask what work they need to review.
The law sets no score a child must reach. It gives reviewers no scoring rule.
20-A M.R.S. § 5001-A(3)(A)(4)(b)6. Your records and what comes next
Keep each Notice of Intent, later letter, and progress-check result. Keep them until the home instruction program ends. The records stay private. Show them to the state education office only if asked. You do not file a yearly portfolio for every choice.
If home instruction ends, a school-age child needs another allowed path. The receiving school decides placement. Its principal decides how earlier high-school work counts.
20-A M.R.S. § 5001-A(3)(A)(4)(c)-(d)7. Public school classes and help
A child can use these options and remain in home instruction.
For classes, send a written request to the superintendent. For class activities, send one to the principal. Both need written approval. The school may not refuse without a fair reason. For sports, ask in writing for a chance to try out. It does not promise a place. The same team rules cover every child.
Rooms, books, and course work
School rooms and tools need the principal's approval. Books depend on what the school has. The school must count the course when the child meets its standards.
A home instruction student is eligible for special education services. United States rules govern that help. Maine sets the process. Ask the district about its process.
Home instruction itself needs no shot record. A school team uses the same shot rules for every player.
20-A M.R.S. § 50218. High school
The school attendance rule ends at the 17th birthday. A child who graduates before 17 has a separate exception. Neither event needs a home instruction filing.
20-A M.R.S. § 5001-A(1)-(2)9. If a notice is missing
Maine removed an old home-instruction penalty section in 1989. It has no rule or penalty today.
Truancy means missing school the law says a child must attend. A separate truancy law may cover a child still subject to school attendance. Unexcused means no accepted reason was given. The law uses a set number of missed days.
An intervention plan means written steps to help the child attend. The school must use its help team and that plan first. Only then can the school send the case to police.
Questions Maine families ask
Does anyone approve my first notice?
Show answer: Does anyone approve my first notice?
Must I use Maine's online Portal?
Show answer: Must I use Maine's online Portal?
How many days and hours must we teach?
Show answer: How many days and hours must we teach?
Does Maine give my child a diploma?
Show answer: Does Maine give my child a diploma?
Is there a home instruction planner for Maine?
Show answer: Is there a home instruction planner for Maine?
Keep your own record as you go
In Trellis.Trellis can hold dates, lessons, and records in one place. You mark what you sent. Trellis never files with Maine for you. It never says a family has passed a legal check.
Start your family's records High school, diploma, and transcript in Maine