Maine asks for a few specific things. Maine sets out a handful of real requirements. None of them are difficult, but the deadlines are genuine and worth putting in a calendar. Here is the whole list.

What you file, and by when

Yes. Written notice of intent filed SIMULTANEOUSLY with (a) the school officials of the administrative unit where the student resides and (b) the Maine Commissioner of Education, within 10 calendar days of beginning home instruction. Must include parent name/signature, student name and age, program start date, and assurances of 175 days of instruction covering the required subjects and of an annual assessment. Thereafter, on or before September 1 of each subsequent year, file a continuation letter with BOTH the local school officials and the Commissioner, enclosing a copy of the prior year's annual assessment. (Note: the Maine DOE FAQ emphasizes the September 1 local filing; the statute text requires both recipients, file with both to be safe.)

Days or hours

At least 175 days of instruction annually. No hourly minimum.

Subjects you must cover

English/language arts, math, science, social studies, physical education, health education, library skills, fine arts; Maine studies in one grade between 6 and 12; computer proficiency in one grade between 7 and 12.

Records you keep

No statutory portfolio-retention mandate, but families must retain the annual assessment result to enclose with the September 1 continuation letter. Practically, keep attendance/day counts, assessment documents, and work samples; Maine issues no records of its own.

Testing or evaluation

Annual assessment required, parent's choice of five options: (1) standardized achievement test administered through the school unit or other approved arrangement; (2) a test developed by local school officials (pre-approved); (3) review and acceptance of the student's progress by a person holding a current Maine teacher certificate; (4) portfolio review by a local homeschool support group that includes a certified teacher or administrator; (5) review by a local advisory board (one school-unit employee plus two home-instruction tutors). No minimum score is specified in statute.

Diplomas and transcripts

Maine issues no diplomas, transcripts, grades, or credits to home-instructed students, and there is no state-recognized homeschool diploma. Parents create their own transcript and diploma; the Maine DOE explicitly tells families to confirm acceptance directly with colleges, the military, and employers. No state-mandated high-school credit distribution. No state ESA/voucher program covering homeschoolers as of July 2026.

Where this comes from

Statute: 20-A M.R.S. § 5001-A(3)(A)(4) (compulsory attendance; home instruction); see also Me. Dep't of Educ. Rule Ch. 130

Source: https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/20-A/title20-Asec5001-A.html

Last reviewed: July 2026 · our confidence in this entry: high

Homeschool law changes, and a page like this goes stale without announcing it. Check the statute above against your own reading before a filing deadline. If we are out of date, we would rather hear it from you than have you find out at the district office.

Keeping the records is the other half of this. Our Records System has the editable transcript with the GPA already wired, 131 course descriptions, and this same statute-cited summary for all fifty states and DC. Thirty-nine dollars, one household, however many children you have.