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Homeschool laws · Maryland

How to homeschool in Maryland

With an umbrella program, the umbrella reviews your work instead of the district.

Checked November 2026 against the HSLDA summary for Maryland. Laws change, so confirm with the source before you file.

Maryland requirements at a glance

Notice to the state or district

Yes, every year. A notice of consent to the local superintendent, once per child, then a yearly verification.

Minimum school time

Long enough to carry out the program; no number is set.

Required subjects

Portfolio option: math, English, social studies, science, art, music, health and physical education.

Parent qualifications

None.

Testing or evaluation

Portfolio option: the district may review the portfolio up to three times a year. Umbrella options: the umbrella supervises.

Records to keep

Portfolio option: instructional materials and samples of writing, worksheets, workbooks, creative work and tests.

Compulsory school ages

5–18

Legal ways to homeschool in Maryland

  • Portfolio review by the district
  • Church umbrella
  • Church-exempt school umbrella
  • State-approved school umbrella

Each option has its own rules. The table above mainly describes the first option listed; read the source before choosing.

What to do, step by step

  1. 01

    File your notice

    A notice of consent to the local superintendent, once per child, then a yearly verification.

    Write the letter of intent
  2. 02

    Plan your school year

    Long enough to carry out the program; no number is set. A planned calendar still makes the year easier to keep on track.

    Plan the school year
  3. 03

    Track attendance as you go

    Records Maryland asks for: portfolio option: instructional materials and samples of writing, worksheets, workbooks, creative work and tests. Even where nothing is required, a dated log protects you if you move, return to school or apply to college.

    Open the attendance tracker
  4. 04

    Plan the test or evaluation

    Portfolio option: the district may review the portfolio up to three times a year. Umbrella options: the umbrella supervises.

    Log test scores
  5. 05

    Keep everything in one place

    Attendance, report cards, reading and field trip logs, test scores and work samples, in the order an evaluator or a school district usually asks for them.

    See the Records Binder

Maryland homeschool questions

Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Maryland?

A notice of consent to the local superintendent, once per child, then a yearly verification.

How many days do you have to homeschool in Maryland?

Long enough to carry out the program; no number is set.

What subjects are required in Maryland?

Portfolio option: math, English, social studies, science, art, music, health and physical education.

Does Maryland require testing for homeschoolers?

Portfolio option: the district may review the portfolio up to three times a year. Umbrella options: the umbrella supervises.

Do parents need a teaching certificate in Maryland?

No. Parents do not need any particular qualification.

Confirm before you file

This page summarizes the law in plain English and is not legal advice. Read the HSLDA legal summary for Maryland and your state’s own education department page, and compare all 50 states in our homeschool laws by state guide.

Homeschool laws in other states