ChoiceFunded What your state pays

Homeschooling in Maryland: what the law requires and who pays

Maryland's compulsory attendance law (Education §7-301) does not apply to a child receiving regular, thorough instruction in the studies usually taught in public schools to children of the same age. We have not found an official source saying a Maryland program pays homeschooled students.

Quoted from official sources, read October 8, 2026. A law summary, not legal advice.

What Maryland’s law requires

The law that allows it

Maryland's compulsory attendance law (Education §7-301) does not apply to a child receiving regular, thorough instruction in the studies usually taught in public schools to children of the same age.

“Is receiving regular, thorough instruction during the school year in the studies usually taught in the public schools to children of the same age” Maryland Code, Education §7-301, compulsory attendance

Telling the state or district

The parent's signed statement on the state form goes to the local superintendent at least 15 days before home instruction begins.

“Shall be submitted to the local superintendent at least 15 days before the beginning of a home instruction program.” COMAR 13A.10.01.01, Home Instruction Program (Library of Maryland Regulations)

Each year before school starts, the parent confirms that home schooling is continuing, with the local superintendent or the supervising nonpublic school or institution.

“Annually thereafter, before the beginning of the school year, a parent or guardian shall verify the continuation of home schooling for his or her child with the local school superintendent” COMAR 13A.10.01.01, Home Instruction Program (Library of Maryland Regulations)

Instead of local school system review, a home instruction program can run under the supervision of a school or institution operated by a bona fide church organization, or a nonpublic school approved by the State Board of Education.

“is under the supervision of a: (1) School or institution offering an educational program operated by a bona fide church organization” COMAR 13A.10.01.05, Home Instruction Under Supervision of Nonpublic School or Institution

What and how long to teach

Instruction must be regular and thorough and include English, math, science, social studies, art, music, health and physical education.

“Include instruction in English, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education” COMAR 13A.10.01.01, Home Instruction Program (Library of Maryland Regulations)

It must take place regularly during the school year and last long enough to carry out the program.

“Take place on a regular basis during the school year and be of sufficient duration to implement the instruction program.” COMAR 13A.10.01.01, Home Instruction Program (Library of Maryland Regulations)

Testing or evaluation

A local school system representative may review the portfolio and discuss the program no more than three times a school year.

“There are not more than three reviews during a school year.” COMAR 13A.10.01.01, Home Instruction Program (Library of Maryland Regulations)

Records to keep

Parents keep a portfolio of materials, such as instructional and reading materials and examples of the child's writing, worksheets, workbooks, creative work and tests.

“Includes relevant materials, such as instructional materials, reading materials, and examples of the child’s writings, worksheets, workbooks, creative materials, and tests” COMAR 13A.10.01.01, Home Instruction Program (Library of Maryland Regulations)

The local superintendent or a designee reviews the portfolio at the end of each semester, at a mutually agreeable time.

“Shall be reviewed by the local superintendent or the superintendent's designee at the conclusion of each semester of the local school system” COMAR 13A.10.01.01, Home Instruction Program (Library of Maryland Regulations)

Ages the law covers

Compulsory attendance covers children 5 or older and under 18.

“each child who resides in this State and is 5 years old or older and under 18 shall attend a public school regularly during the entire school year” Maryland Code, Education §7-301, compulsory attendance

State money for homeschoolers in Maryland

We have not found an official source saying a Maryland program pays homeschooled students.

Maryland BOOST: amount and how to apply Private schools in Maryland

Which states pay homeschoolers, and how: Maryland next to every other state.

Questions parents ask

Do I have to tell anyone I am homeschooling in Maryland?

The parent's signed statement on the state form goes to the local superintendent at least 15 days before home instruction begins. Each year before school starts, the parent confirms that home schooling is continuing, with the local superintendent or the supervising nonpublic school or institution. Instead of local school system review, a home instruction program can run under the supervision of a school or institution operated by a bona fide church organization, or a nonpublic school approved by the State Board of Education.

Do homeschoolers in Maryland have to take tests?

A local school system representative may review the portfolio and discuss the program no more than three times a school year.

Can a homeschooler in Maryland get state money?

We have not found an official source saying a Maryland program pays homeschooled students.

Every line above is our plain-English summary of the quoted text, which is copied from the official page named beside it. Laws change: the quoted page is the authority, and a lawyer or the state can answer questions about your family.

Homeschool law in other states

All states and the programs that pay homeschoolers

What your state pays Find schools