Maryland Homeschool Laws and Requirements
Aug 14, 2026Homeschooling is legal in Maryland, and it begins with one form. You file a notification with your local superintendent at least 15 days before your program starts, then provide regular, thorough instruction in eight named subjects and keep a portfolio of your child's work. From there, Maryland gives you a choice: your local school system reviews the portfolio, or a registered nonpublic school or bona fide church organization supervises your program instead.
Last Reviewed: August 14, 2026. Reviewed by the Modern Homeschools Editorial Team. Next scheduled review: August 14, 2027.
Maryland Homeschool Requirements at a Glance
| Topic | What applies in Maryland |
|---|---|
| Compulsory attendance ages | Age 5 or older and under 18. A parent may ask the local school system in writing to delay attendance for one year for a five year old, based on the child's level of maturity |
| Notification or registration | The state notification form, submitted to the local superintendent at least 15 days before the home instruction program begins |
| Legal pathway or homeschool definition | A home instruction program reviewed by the local school system, or a program supervised by a registered nonpublic school or a school operated by a bona fide church organization |
| Parent or instructor qualifications | None identified in the home instruction regulation |
| Required subjects | English, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education |
| Instructional time | No set number of days or hours. Instruction takes place on a regular basis during the school year and must be of sufficient duration to implement the program |
| Testing or evaluation | No standardized testing requirement. A family may request that a child take part in the school system's regularly scheduled testing |
| Required records | A portfolio of instructional materials, reading materials, and examples of the child's writings, worksheets, workbooks, creative materials, and tests |
| Responsible government agency | Your local superintendent, or the supervising organization you choose. The Maryland State Department of Education publishes the form and the statewide rules |
Two Ways to Be Supervised
Local school system review. You file the notification with your local superintendent and keep the portfolio available for review. Reviews happen at the conclusion of each semester of the local school system, and there are not more than three in a school year.
A registered nonpublic school or church organization. Instead of the school system reviewing your portfolio, your program may be supervised by a registered nonpublic school or a school or institution offering an educational program operated by a bona fide church organization. These organizations hold preenrollment conferences with parents and meet with them at appropriate intervals. The organization, not your family, reports to the local superintendent when a student's status changes or when a student is no longer under its supervision. Each organization sets its own enrollment steps and expectations, so ask before you commit.
How to Start Homeschooling in Maryland
- File the notification form 15 days ahead. Submit it to the local superintendent at least 15 days before your home instruction program begins.
- Decide who will supervise. Choose local school system review, or enroll with a registered nonpublic school or church organization that supervises home instruction.
- Plan the eight subjects. Cover English, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education.
- Start the portfolio on day one. Save instructional and reading materials along with your child's writing, worksheets, workbooks, creative work, and tests as you go.
- Put the review dates on your calendar. If your school system reviews the portfolio, the reviews follow the ends of its semesters.
Testing, Attendance, and Record Keeping
Maryland asks for a portfolio rather than test scores. The standard is regular, thorough instruction in the studies usually taught in the public schools to children of the same age, and the portfolio is how you show it.
There is no attendance register to file and no required number of instructional days or hours. Standardized testing is optional, and a family may ask for a child to take part in the school system's regularly scheduled testing program.
When a child leaves home instruction for a public school, contact the local school system. The local superintendent or a designee determines the child's placement by an evaluation. If a supervising organization has been overseeing your program, it notifies the local superintendent when your child is no longer under its supervision.
Official Maryland Homeschool Resources
- Maryland State Department of Education, Home Instruction
- COMAR 13A.10.01, the Maryland home instruction regulation
- Maryland State Department of Education, Home Instruction Fact Sheet
- Maryland Education Article section 7-301, compulsory attendance
Beginning Your Homeschool Journey?
Your First 30 Days of Homeschooling provides a practical path for establishing your priorities, planning your next steps, and creating a rhythm that works for your family.
Modern Homeschools provides educational information to help families understand and navigate homeschooling requirements. Because requirements may change, families should confirm current details with the official state sources linked within this guide.