Maryland law requires every child between the ages of 5 and 18 to attend a public school. However, the law allows a child to be exempt from compulsory public-school attendance if the child is receiving regular, thorough instruction during the school year in the subjects usually taught in public schools to children of the same age. A child is also exempt if they have completed a home instruction program that has been verified by the local school system or another supervising entity. Learn more about compulsory school attendance.
Parents or guardians who wish to home school a child should familiarize themselves with the applicable laws and regulations, including Maryland Code, Education Article, 7-301 and Code of Maryland Regulations ("COMAR") Title 13A, Subtitle 10 ("Home Instruction").
NOTE: A local school system may not impose additional requirements for home instruction programs other than those in the Maryland regulations.
Read the Law: Md. Code, Education § 7–301
Read the Regulations: Code of Md. Regulations, Title 13A, Subtitle 10
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Written Agreement
If a parent or guardian wishes to home school a child, they must submit a Home Instruction Notification form to the local school superintendent at least 15 days before starting a home schooling program. By completing and submitting the form parents’ consent to the requirements of the home instructions regulations. Forms are available on the Maryland State Department of Education's website as well as from your local home school coordinator.
The parent or guardian must annually verify with the local school superintendent or supervising entity whether their child will continue to be home schooled. Annual verifications must be completed before the school year begins. If there are any changes in the child's home school status, the parent or guardian must also notify the local school superintendent or supervising entity.
Read the Regulation: Code of Md. Regulations, 13A.10.01.01
Instruction/Curriculum
The home instruction program must:
- provide regular, thorough instruction in the studies usually taught in public schools to children of the same age;
- include instruction in English, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education; and,
- take place on a regular basis during the school year and be of sufficient duration to implement the instruction program.
The instruction program may include enrollment (part-time or full-time) in courses offered by accredited or unaccredited colleges.
If you are considering home schooling, read the Maryland regulations carefully for information about curriculum requirements and exceptions. Note that neither the local school system nor the Maryland State Department of Education will provide a required curriculum for use in home instruction. It is the parent's or guardian's responsibility to select curriculum and instructional materials.
Read the Regulations: Code of Md. Regulations, 13A.10.01.01, 13A.10.01.03, 13A.10.01.05
Supervision
If a parent or guardian provides instruction, they must maintain a portfolio of materials which:
- demonstrates the parent or guardian is providing regular, thorough instruction during the school year in the required subjects; and,
- includes relevant materials, such as instructional materials, reading materials, and examples of the child’s writings, worksheets, workbooks, creative materials, and tests.
If the instruction program includes enrollment in courses offered by accredited or unaccredited colleges, a copy of the report card or transcript from the course(s) may be submitted in place of portfolio materials.
These materials must be reviewed by a local public school or a supervising entity at the end of each school semester. Supervising entities include a nonpublic school that holds a Certificate of Approval from the Maryland State Department of Education, a church-exempt nonpublic school, or an institution (education ministry) offering an educational program operated by a bona fide church organization. A full list of nonpublic entities registered to supervise home instruction is available through the Maryland State Department of Education website.
If the reviewing school decides the child is not receiving proper instruction, the parent or guardian has 30 days to show that the problem has been resolved. If the problem is not resolved within that time, the parent or guardian must enroll the child in a public school or accredited nonpublic school.
Parents or guardians do not need to make a portfolio of materials and samples of work if the child is provided instruction under the supervision of:
- a nonpublic school with a certificate of approval from the State Board of Education; or,
- a school or institution offering an educational program operated by a bona fide church organization.
The nonpublic school or educational program must provide students with personal assistance and educational materials. Each year, organizations offering home schooling must notify local school officials of the students they are supervising.
Read the Regulations: Code of Md. Regulations, 13A.10.01.01, 13A.10.01.05
Participation with Local Public Schools
Home-schooled children may participate in standardized tests at their local public school. If a parent or guardian would like their child to participate in the standardized testing program, they can indicate this on the Home Instruction Notification form. However, the Maryland regulations do not provide for children receiving home instruction to participate in courses or activities offered by the local public school.
Read the Regulation: Code of Md. Regulations, 13A.10.01.02