Overview
Maine recognizes home instruction as an alternative to public school attendance. Parents direct the child's education, select the curriculum, and are responsible for meeting the state's notice, instructional-day, subject, and annual-assessment requirements.
Compulsory School Attendance Age
Maine compulsory attendance generally applies from the child's 6th birthday until age 17, subject to statutory exceptions.
Notice of Intent
For the first year of home instruction, the parent or guardian must provide a Notice of Intent within 10 calendar days after beginning home instruction. Maine provides an online portal that sends the notice to the resident superintendent and the state. Paper filing is also available through the resident superintendent's office.
For each subsequent year, the family must file a continuation notice by September 1 and include the prior year's assessment results.
Instructional Days and Hours
Maine requires at least 175 instructional days annually. Maine does not impose a specific number of instructional hours per day or per year for home instruction.
Required Subjects
• English and language arts • Mathematics • Science • Social studies • Physical education • Health education • Library skills • Fine arts • Maine studies in at least one grade from 6 through 12 • Demonstrated computer proficiency at one grade level from 7 through 12
Annual Assessment
Maine requires an annual assessment of academic progress. Acceptable methods include a standardized achievement test, an approved local test, review by a currently certified Maine teacher, portfolio review through a qualifying homeschool support group that includes a certified teacher or administrator, or review by a local advisory board when arranged with the superintendent.
Records
Parents must keep copies of the information filed under Maine's home instruction law until the home instruction program concludes. Families should also retain attendance, assessment results, grades, course records, transcripts, and graduation records.
Parent Teacher Qualifications
Maine does not require a parent providing home instruction to hold a teaching certificate. Certification becomes relevant only when a family chooses a certified-teacher review as its annual assessment method.
Curriculum Freedom
Parents choose their own curriculum and teaching methods. Maine does not prescribe grade-by-grade homeschool curriculum standards, but the required subject areas must be included.
Graduation
The State of Maine does not issue grades, credits, transcripts, certificates of completion, or diplomas for independent home instruction. Families establish their own completion requirements and should maintain a complete high school transcript and graduation record.
Alabama Church School Services for Maine Families
Maine families may use Alabama Church School for curriculum, attendance tools, report cards, transcripts, diplomas, graduation documentation, student records, and educational support. ACS enrollment does not replace Maine's Notice of Intent, 175-day requirement, required subjects, or annual assessment.
Maine Homeschool Law References
- 20-A M.R.S. § 5001-A(3)(A)(4) — Home Instruction
- Maine Department of Education — Home Instruction Requirements, Forms & Laws
- Maine Department of Education — Home Instruction FAQs
This guide summarizes current homeschool requirements for informational purposes. Laws, administrative procedures, and agency guidance can change. Families remain responsible for complying with the laws of their state of residence.
How Alabama Church School supports Maine families
ACS does not replace your state's homeschool requirements — it gives families complete curriculum, academic records, transcripts, diplomas, and documentation while you continue satisfying Maine law.
Nearby state homeschool guides
Families moving to or from Maine often review these states next.