How to Homeschool in Maine

So you have decided that you wish to homeschool your child, well Maine is a great place to begin. Homeschooling in Maine is relatively simple and allows you to choose from two different options on how you wish to go about homeschooling your family. This article will lay out the two option you can choose and what each of them require for you in the simplest way, so that you can choose the right option that is perfect for you. In this article you will find:

• An overview of Maine homeschool laws
• An introduction to homeschool groups in Maine
• A description of how Moving Beyond the Page can help you get started

Maine Homeschool Laws

Option 1
The first option is for you to homeschool your child. If you wish to teach your child from home you will need to keep the following in mind:

• Before you begin homeschooling your family you will need to file a notice of intent with both the local superintendent and the Commissioner of Education. The notice must include,
  
  • Name, signature, and address of parent
  • Name and age of student(s)
  • The date that home instruction will begin
  • A statement that assures that instruction will last 175 days and that you will cover the core subjects
• By September 1 of each year you need to submit a year-end assessment of your child to the local superintendent and the commissioner of education
• You will need to include English, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Physical and Health Education, Library Skills, Fine Arts, Maine Studies, and Computer Proficiency in your instruction
• At the end of each year you will need to submit the results of one of the following year-end assessments,
  
  • Results of a nationally recognized standardized test
  • Results of a test developed by local school officials
  • Review and acceptance of progress from either a certified teacher, a homeschool support group, or an advisory board appointed by the superintendent

Option 2
The second option you have is to enroll your child in a private school. In order to be considered a private school there must be at least two unrelated students, and you must file a letter with the Commissioner stating that the school will:

• Comply with state and local safety fire and health laws that are applicable to you
• Report the names, addresses, and grade levels of all students enrolled
• Instruct the students for at least 175 days
• Provide instruction in,
  
  • English (reading, writing, spelling, and grammar)
  • Math
  • Science
  • American history
  • Maine history and geography
  • Government
  • Health
  • Fine arts
• Approve of all teachers| competence
• Provide at least 4 academic progress reports

The private school will also need to notify parents annually of the schools compliance with the above regulations.

Homeschool Groups in Maine

Homeschooling your children is a daunting task, but there are many groups and organizations in Maine to help you out. Here are some organizations you may want to look into.

NOTE: You can find a wealth of local and state groups offering homeschooling advice and support on sites such as Facebook and Yahoo Groups. You can search by city or county, religious preference, homeschooling philosophy, and more. You will need a free account on these sites to join one of their groups.

A Homeschool Curriculum for Maine

Beyond the Page is a homeschool curriculum that exceeds the requirements for homeschooling in the state of Maine. All of the Beyond the Page packages cover science, social studies, and language arts, and we offer a range of math programs as well. The Maine legal requirements are only a starting point, and our curriculum utilizes a range of educational strategies that are designed to foster a love of learning in children including:

• Hands-on activities,
• Differentiated options, and
• Independent projects.

Beyond the Page encourages critical thinking and creativity while encouraging your child's unique learning style like no other curriculum on the market. If your child is a hands-on learner, a gifted learner, or a creative free-thinker, then you should look into Beyond the Page for your child.

Choose an age level to continue:

Disclaimers

Any information about the laws in your state is provided to help you understand your legal requirements to homeschool in your state. It should by no means be interpreted as legal advice. This information was not compiled by a lawyer. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under. If you have questions, you should seek the advice of a lawyer that operates in your state.

Beyond the Page does not endorse any of the homeschool groups that are included in these pages. They are provided only for your benefit. You should research any group to ensure that they align with your family's goals and philosophies.