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!

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Appalachian National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is a 2,180-mile footpath along the ridgecrests and across the major valleys of the Appalachian Mountains from Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in northern Georgia. It traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, it was built by private citizens and completed in 1937. The trail traverses Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsyl...
Maine Department of Education
The Maine Department of Education provides this website as its official internet presence.
Center for Maine History Museum
The Center for Maine History Museum collection serves as the foundation for the Maine Historical Society exhibition program, and is an essential resource for students and scholars researching Maine material culture. Selections from the collections are displayed in exhibitions and presented throughout the Maine Historical Society buildings.
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.
§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, ...
How to Comply with Vermont's Homeschool Law
Vermont law specifically refers to homeschooling in 16 V.S.A. § 11(a)(21) and 16 V.S.A. § 166b. To homeschool under this statute, you’ll need to follow these guidelines. Necessary steps include sending in a written enrollment notice, submitting a narrative describing the content to be provided in each subject area, obtaining acknowledgement of compliance, teaching the required subjects and assessing your child annually. 
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.
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.
Notice of Intent to Homeschool 2005-2006
Form provided by the Depatment of Education for the state of Maine.
Maine Homeschooling
Maine Homeschooling is a statewide email discussion group for homeschoolers to discuss issues that are relevant to homeschooling in Maine. Includes discussions on different methods of homeschooling, help in getting started, national state legislation, resources, and announcements.
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...
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.
§5025. Compliance.
Appeals that question the local school unit's policy compliance with this subchapter must be made to the commissioner, whose decision is final and binding.
§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...
§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...
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. 
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Learn and Do Unit Studies
Hands on unit studies on a variety of subjects, including science, life skills, arts and crafts, and animals and insects. Also offers free mini units available for download.
Miserly Moms: Living on One Income in a Two-Income Economy
Save Thousands of Dollars a Year Jonni McCoy and her family are proof that you live on one income. The McCoys made a successful transition from two incomes to one while living in one of the most expensive parts of America: the San Francisco Bay Area...
Basic Montessori: Learning Activities for Under-Fives
For the first time, Basic Montessori opens the celebrated philosophy and method to a more general public. David Gettman has devised a clear and modern explanation of Montessori's revolutionary ideas about early intellectual development, and provides...
Tomorrows Child
Tomorrow's Child magazine offers insights and information that helps parents to feel confident that Montessori will prepare their children for the real world. It will help you understand and appreciate Montessori and apply it in your home.
The Story of the World
This book series by Susan Wise Bauer is another that is best enjoyed as a read aloud rather than seen as a history textbook. It is full of engaging stories, mixing facts and historical legends. The companion study guides offer questions, narration ex...
Quote of the Day

The agenda of public schooling has been, for the entire twentieth century, to remove the power of people to think for themselves.

John Taylor Gatto