How to start homeschooling in Maryland
The legal steps, in order, checked against Maryland law.
Short answer: Maryland excuses a child from public school attendance if the child receives regular, thorough instruction in the studies usually taught in public schools to children of the same age. A parent can do this under a portfolio review by the local school system, or under the supervision of a church-run education program or a state-approved nonpublic school. For the portfolio route, the parent signs a state form and gives it to the local superintendent at least 15 days before starting.
Checked against Md. Code, Educ. 7-301(a)(3) on Nov 8, 2026. Compulsory school ages: 5 to 17 (attendance is required from age 5 until age 18). This is what the law says, not legal advice.
Maryland gives you 2 legal ways to homeschool. Pick one and follow its steps.
Option 1: Home instruction with local school system portfolio review
Families who want to run their own program and have the local school system review a portfolio.
Steps
- Get the home instruction consent form prescribed by the Maryland State Department of Education from your local school system.
- Sign the form and give it to the local superintendent at least 15 days before home instruction begins.
- Teach English, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education regularly during the school year.
- Keep a portfolio of materials that shows regular, thorough instruction.
- Meet with a local school system representative for portfolio reviews at a mutually agreed time and place, no more than three times per school year.
- Before each new school year, verify with the local superintendent that home instruction is continuing, and tell the superintendent if the child's status changes during the year.
| Notice to the state | Yes To: The local superintendent When: At least 15 days before home instruction begins, then verified before each school year |
|---|---|
| Subjects | English, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education |
| Time | Regular instruction during the school year, of enough length to deliver the instruction. No set number of days or hours. |
| Parent qualifications | None required by law |
| Testing or evaluation | A local school system representative reviews the portfolio, generally at the end of each semester, no more than three times per school year. If deficiencies are found, the department says the parent has 30 calendar days from written notice to show they have been corrected. |
| Records to keep | A portfolio of instructional and reading materials and samples of the child's writing, worksheets, workbooks, creative work, and tests. For college courses, a report card or transcript from each semester may stand in for the portfolio. |
Option 2: Home instruction supervised by a church education program or approved nonpublic school
Families who want a supervising school or ministry, instead of the local school system, to oversee their program.
Steps
- Choose a supervising entity: a school or institution offering an education program run by a bona fide church organization, or a nonpublic school holding a State Board of Education certificate of approval. The department keeps a list of registered entities.
- Enroll with the supervising entity. A church program must hold a preenrollment conference with the parent.
- Provide regular, thorough instruction during the school year in the studies usually taught in public schools to children of the same age, using the materials and support the supervising entity provides.
- Verify each year with the supervising entity that home instruction is continuing, and tell it of any change in status during the year. The supervising entity reports its students to the local superintendent.
| Notice to the state | Yes To: The supervising entity, which reports enrolled students to the local superintendent When: Annually, and whenever status changes during the school year |
|---|---|
| Subjects | The studies usually taught in public schools to children of the same age |
| Time | Regular instruction during the school year. No set number of days or hours. |
| Parent qualifications | None required by law |
| Testing or evaluation | Not confirmed in our check. Ask the state education department. |
| Records to keep | Not confirmed in our check. Ask the state education department. |
Leaving public school mid-year
The department says to contact your local school system about withdrawal. It warns that a parent may be held responsible for unexcused absences if a child is withdrawn before the consent form is filed and instruction begins.
High school, transcripts and diplomas
The department says only public schools issue the Maryland High School Diploma, so a home-instructed student earns it by transferring to a public school and meeting its requirements. A student in a nonpublic or church-exempt school that meets that school's graduation requirements can receive that school's diploma. Home-instructed students 16 or older may take the GED test to earn a Maryland High School Diploma by examination. When a home-instructed student enters public school, the local superintendent decides placement and credit, which may include tests and interviews.
Public school sports and activities
The department says local school system courses and activities, other than standardized testing, are not available to home-instructed students under the regulations. A private school may choose to let a home-instructed student play on its team against MPSSAA member schools if the student meets MPSSAA standards.
After the paperwork
Common questions
Do I have to tell the state I am homeschooling in Maryland?
Yes, under the home instruction with local school system portfolio review route, you notify the local superintendent at least 15 days before home instruction begins, then verified before each school year.
Is testing required for homeschoolers in Maryland?
A local school system representative reviews the portfolio, generally at the end of each semester, no more than three times per school year. If deficiencies are found, the department says the parent has 30 calendar days from written notice to show they have been corrected.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Maryland?
English, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education
What ages must be schooled in Maryland?
Ages 5 to 17 (attendance is required from age 5 until age 18), per state law.
Sources
- Md. Code, Educ. 7-301(a)(3)
- COMAR 13A.10.01.01
- COMAR 13A.10.01.05
- Maryland State Department of Education, Home Instruction
We read each source on Nov 8, 2026 and recheck every guide each quarter. Laws change. If something here no longer matches the state, write to us and we will fix it.