Homeschooling in Maine offers two main options for families. You can choose standard home instruction or establish a recognized private school. Both paths have specific requirements, but they provide flexibility and control over your child’s education.
Maine is home to approximately 8,000 homeschooled students, making it one of the active homeschooling communities in the nation (NCES estimates, 2023). As of 2024, 12 states have enacted universal or near-universal Education Savings Account (ESA) programs, with Arizona's program alone serving over 75,000 students — making state-funded homeschooling more accessible than ever (EdChoice, 2024).
Your two homeschool options in Maine
Maine gives you two ways to homeschool. Most families pick Option 1, called home instruction. Option 2 is for special cases and involves more rules.
Option 1: Home Instruction This is the typical homeschooling route. You notify the state, teach your kids, and send in yearly assessments. You can choose your own curriculum and don’t need a teaching license. It fits most families well.
Option 2: Recognized Equivalent Private School (REPS) Here, you set up a private school that meets state guidelines. It requires more paperwork, like notifying the commissioner and following private school rules. Some families go this route for high school or other special reasons.
The main difference: Home instruction needs yearly assessments, while REPS works like a private school with different rules. Most families find home instruction easier.
Required subjects in Maine
Maine has a list of subjects you must teach, but you have freedom in how to cover them:
- English and language arts
- Mathematics
- Science and technology
- Social studies (history and geography)
- Physical education and health
- Library skills
- Fine arts (like music and visual art)
- Maine studies (at least once during grades 6-8)
Maine studies is special to the state. Middle schoolers should learn about Maine’s history, geography, government, or culture. Many families do this through projects, site visits, or books about Maine.
You get to pick how to teach these subjects. No specific curriculum or textbooks are required. You can use unit studies that cover multiple subjects at once.
How to start homeschooling in Maine (home instruction)
To start homeschooling, you need to assess your child each year. Here are your options:
- Standardized Achievement Test: Use a nationally-normed test like the Iowa Test or Stanford Achievement Test. Send the results to your S.A.U. and the Commissioner with your continuation letter. The state just wants proof of assessment, not a minimum score.
- Certified Teacher Review: A Maine-certified teacher reviews your child’s work and writes an evaluation. This is great for families who prefer narrative feedback.
- Portfolio Review by School Officials: Submit a portfolio for review. This option involves more interaction with the district.
- Other Commissioner-Approved Methods: If the standard options don’t fit, you can ask for approval for different assessment methods.
Most families prefer standardized tests or teacher evaluations. Tests are straightforward if your child does well. Teacher evaluations provide flexibility, which can help with testing anxiety.
Annual continuation process
Each year after your first, you must send a Statement of Intent to Continue Home Education. This goes to both the S.A.U. and Commissioner by September 1.
When you send your continuation letter, include:
- Confirmation that you plan to continue home instruction
- Assessment results for each child still of compulsory age
- Updated info if your situation has changed
The September 1 deadline is before the school year starts. This gives officials time to process everything. Keep this date in mind—it's the key deadline for Maine homeschoolers.
Families often get into a rhythm: finish assessments in spring, prepare continuation materials in summer, and send them by September 1.
Record-keeping requirements
Maine law says you must keep copies of your notices, continuation letters, and assessments until your child finishes home instruction. HSLDA recommends keeping records even longer—until they finish higher education.
Required records include:
- Initial Notice of Intent
- Annual continuation letters
- Assessment results for each year
- Proof of mailing (like return receipts)
Recommended additional records:
- Curriculum descriptions by subject
- Work samples showing progress
- Reading logs
- Extracurricular documentation
- High school course descriptions and grades
Why keep extra records? They help with college applications, scholarships, or if your child goes back to public school. Having thorough documentation can really benefit your student.
High school, graduation & beyond
As a homeschool parent in Maine, you set graduation requirements and issue diplomas. There’s no state-mandated curriculum or standardized test for high school.
Creating transcripts: For college applications, you’ll make a transcript that includes course titles, grades, credit hours, and brief descriptions. Maine colleges know how to evaluate homeschool transcripts.
University of Maine system: Maine’s public universities accept homeschool applicants. You usually need transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, and application essays. They might also ask for more documents or interviews.
Dual enrollment: Some community colleges and universities let high schoolers earn college credits while completing high school. This shows they’re ready for college.
Early graduation: You decide when students graduate based on your program. Maine’s compulsory age ends at 17 (or 15 in specific cases), allowing for early completion.
Sports and extracurricular access
Maine lets homeschooled students join public school extracurricular activities, including sports, under certain conditions. This is more access than many states offer.
Requirements for participation:
- Homeschoolers must live in the school district
- They need to meet eligibility requirements
- They follow the same rules as enrolled students. Some districts might require part-time enrollment for specific activities.
District variation: While Maine law allows access, how it’s done can vary by district. Contact your local school’s athletic director or principal to learn about their specific policies.
Homeschool alternatives: Maine has active homeschool groups that offer sports, arts, and social activities. Groups like Homeschoolers of Maine coordinate events, co-ops, and leagues.
Financial assistance
Currently, Maine doesn’t have state-funded financial help just for homeschoolers—no ESAs, vouchers, or special tax credits for home education costs.
Town tuitioning programs: In some towns without public schools, the town pays tuition for students to attend other schools. Generally, homeschoolers don’t qualify, but it shows Maine’s school choice trend.
Federal education benefits: Coverdell Education Savings Accounts can pay for some K-12 costs, including homeschool materials. Check with a tax expert about your situation.
Special situations
You can start homeschooling anytime during the year. Just submit your Notice of Intent within 10 days of starting. No need to finish the public school year first.
Moving to Maine: If you’re moving, send your Notice of Intent to your new S.A.U. and the Commissioner within 10 days of starting in Maine. Past records are helpful but not required.
Age 15 exception: If students finish grade 9 and are 15, they can be excused from compulsory attendance under certain conditions. This gives flexibility for alternative paths.
Returning to public school: Students coming back will be placed based on age and school assessment. Keep good records during homeschooling to help with placement.
Special needs: Homeschooled students with disabilities can access some services through local schools. Contact your S.A.U.’s special education office to learn about available support.
The bottom line
Homeschooling in Maine needs more paperwork than states with fewer rules, but it’s still manageable for most families. The yearly routine—notification within 10 days of starting, assessments each year, and continuation letters by September 1—becomes easy after the first year.
Maine’s assessment requirement keeps you accountable while offering flexibility. You can choose standardized testing, teacher evaluations, or other approved methods. Most families find an assessment method that fits their teaching style.
Your first step: prepare your Notice of Intent and send it (via certified mail) to your local S.A.U. and the Maine Commissioner of Education within 10 days of starting. After that, you’ll have a full year to find your homeschooling groove before your first continuation letter is due.
