MACHE Homeschool 101
Where do I start???
How to Start Homeschooling
Teaching Methods and Curriculum
Maryland Homeschool Law
Special Needs Students
Filing a Notice of Intent to Homeschool
Homeschooling Tots to Tweens
Maintaining an Annual Portfolio
Homeschooling through High School
Start Homeschooling in Maryland with Four Simple Steps
Figuring out how to begin your homeschooling journey can feel overwhelming, but MACHE is here to help!
Start homeschooling in Maryland with four simple steps:
Submit your Notice of Intent to Your County's School District
The official form created by the state of Maryland can be downloaded from our website. Maryland Law requires the form to be submitted 15 days prior to the start of your homeschooling journey.
Find the direct contact for your school district in our directory.
Choose Your Intended Method of Oversight
In the state of Maryland, families can choose supervision by the local Board of Education, or a Nonpublic Entity registered with the State of Maryland to supervise home education (more commonly referred to as “Umbrella Programs”).
Select Your Educational Approach and Curriculum
The law requires that home instruction “Provide(s) regular, thorough instruction in the studies usually taught in the public schools to children of the same age; Includ(ing) instruction in English, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education”.
While the law dictates what to teach, parents have the freedom to decide which resources to use, and how to teach. There is no required curriculum, nor are families required to use “accredited” curriculum for home education. Many homeschool families follow one of five common educational approaches, or some combination of them.
Maintain a Portfolio of Work Samples
Review requirements will vary from County to County and Umbrella to Umbrella, but all must occur in compliance with the law at a mutually agreeable time and place. Families are expected to provide work samples that demonstrate regular and thorough instruction. These samples can include worksheets, workbooks, reading logs, tests, anecdotal summaries, writing samples, creative arts, etc. There is no requirement for number or type of samples as long as compliance with the law is demonstrated.