Maine Homeschooling

It can be a challenge to homeschool in states with many legal regulations like Maine. We'll help you get started and will give you the information you need to successfully homeschool your child. We cover all the laws, how to find support, different homeschooling methods, and throw in tips and ideas to make it fun and rewarding!

What's Popular
Acadia National Park
Located on the rugged coast of Maine near Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park encompasses over 47,000 acres of granite-domed mountains, woodlands, lakes and ponds, and ocean shoreline. Such diverse habitats create striking scenery and make the park a haven for wildlife and plants.
A History of Homeschooling in Maine
Homeschooling has been around since the beginning of time. During the early part of our nation’s history, homeschooling was the leading form of education. The 1970’s brought renewed interest in homeschooling throughout the nation for many reasons. Some parents were beginning to feel that traditional schools could no longer meet the academic, social, moral and/or spiritual needs of their children. It was a rare state where a law or court ruling explicitly permitted homeschooling. Most people cons...
§5001-A. Compulsory attendance
1. Requirement. Persons 7 years of age or older and under 17 years shall attend a public day school during the time it is in regular session ... 3. Alternatives to attendance at public day school. Alternatives to attendance at public day school are as follows. A. Equivalent instruction alternatives are as follows. (1) A person is excused from attending a public day school if the person obtains equivalent instruction in: (a) A private school approved for attendance purposes pursu...
Maine Department of Education
The Maine Department of Education provides this website as its official internet presence.
Licensing & State Laws in Maine
Maine’s multi-stage licensing process enables teens to gradually gain exposure to complex driving situations, easing them into driving over an extended period of time. The learner’s permit and intermediate stages are key steps.
Portland Museum of Art
he Portland Museum of Art's extensive collection of fine and decorative arts dates from the 18th century to the present. Works by Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, Rockwell Kent, Marsden Hartley, and Andrew Wyeth showcase the unique artistic heritage of Maine. The Museum is housed in an award-winning building, which opened in 1983, designed by I.M. Pei & Partners.
Children's Museum of Maine
The Children's Museum of Maine offers a wide variety of interactive exhibits and programs for children of all ages.
§5021. Participation in public schools by students enrolled in equivalent instruction programs.
A school administrative unit shall conform to the following standards in making public school resources and services available to a student enrolled in a home instruction program under section 5001-A, subsection 3, paragraph A, subparagraph (4) for a student otherwise eligible to attend school in that school administrative unit. [2003, c. 181, §2 (amd).] 1. Participation in regular classes. A student receiving home instruction may enroll in specific day school classes at the appropriat...
Home School Information Sheet
L.D. 160, An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Home Instruction, was approved by the 121st Maine Legislature and signed by Governor Baldacci on May 16, 2003. This information sheet details the changes and how to comply with the law.
2005-06 Subsequent Year Letter to Homeschool
This form is intended for use by the parents of children who were homeschooled in Maine during the previous school year. It is provided by the Depatment of Education for the state of Maine.
§5022. Admission to regular program.
1. Placement. A student who has been receiving home-school instruction and who seeks admission to the regular school program must be placed in a grade commensurate with the level of the student's academic achievement. Placement must be guided by the following. A. Grade level placement is determined by the locally designated appropriate school staff, based upon but not limited to such factors as the student's completed curricula and record of achievement, conferencing with the student's p...
Vermont Home School Laws from HSLDA
The Home School Legal Defense Association provides a brief summary of the homeschooling laws in Vermont. Includes a link to a legal analysis of laws relating to homeschooling in Vermont.
How to Withdraw Your Child from School in Vermont
If you want to start homeschooling during the school year and your child is currently enrolled in a public or private school, HSLDA recommends that you formally withdraw your child from that school. If you are going to start homeschooling after the school year is over, and your child is considered enrolled for the following year, we recommend that you withdraw your child before the next school year begins, so that the school does not mark your child as absent or truant.
§5023. Standards for participation when tuition payment is required.
When the local public school unit does not provide academic instruction for specific grade levels, the following applies for students enrolled in an approved program of equivalent instruction. [1995, c. 610, §1 (new).] 1. Class participation. The home-schooled student or the student's parent or guardian shall request authorization from the resident local school unit to apply to another school unit for permission to participate in classes or activities in that other school unit. [1995, ...
Maine Home School Laws from HSLDA
The Home School Legal Defense Association provides a brief summary of the homeschooling laws in Maine. Includes a link to a legal analysis of laws relating to homeschooling in Maine.
Upcoming Events
Not Back to School Camp - Vermont
September 17-26, 2021
Farm & Wilderness, Plymouth, VT
Not Back to School Camp is a non-denominational, non-religious homeschool camp. The camp offers workshops, spontaneous events, and special evening gatherings, bringing together campers who are excited about life and willing to be themselves and to reach out and connect with the others. 
Looking for Another State?
Featured Resources

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We get commissions for purchases made through links on this site.

Learning Adventures
Each book in the Learning Adventures series covers skills and concepts for grades 4-8, with a history-based approach. Each contains a year's worth of lesson plans in a daily format. All subjects except math are covered.
Alpha-Phonics
Alpha Phonics is a primer for beginning readers. It features 128 self-explanatory lessons, printed in large, clear calligraphy suitable for beginning readers. You'll find product information about Alpha-Phonics here.
Idea Book For Cuisenaire Rods At The Intermediate Level
Grades 2-5. Idea Book designed for use with Cuisenaire Rods.
Perrine's Sound & Sense: An Introduction to Poetry
Perrine's Sound and Sense is a fantastic book for studying poetry with your children. It is a great resource for high school students. It includes clear and thorough explanations of devices, forms, how to analyze poetry, and more, as well as a huge v...
Guerrilla Learning: How to Give Your Kids a Real Education With or Without School
If you’ve ever felt that your child wasn’t flourishing in school or simply needs something the experts aren’t supplying, you’re ready to become a "guerrilla educator." this books explains what’s wrong (and what’s useful) about our traditional schools...
Quote of the Day

You learn at your best when you have something you care about and can get pleasure from being engaged in.

Howard Gardner