Maryland homeschool checklist for this year

Answer two questions and get the year's deadlines with their dates, the notice, testing and records, each linked to the law. Print it or tick it off here.

This is general information, not legal advice; check your state's own page. Laws change, and Maryland's own statute and education department are the final word. The links below go straight to them.

Deadlines, forms and amounts checked on October 29, 2026 against the sources linked on this page.

Maryland homeschool checklist, school year

Things to do, with their deadlines

At least 15 days before you start
Sign the home instruction notification form your local school system uses and submit it to the local superintendent.
Source: COMAR 13A.10.01, Home Instruction (Maryland State Department of Education)
At the end of each semester
The local superintendent or a designee reviews your portfolio.
Source: COMAR 13A.10.01, Home Instruction (Maryland State Department of Education)

All year

All year
Teach the subjects Maryland names: English, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, physical education.
Source: COMAR 13A.10.01, Home Instruction (Maryland State Department of Education)
All year
Keep a portfolio of materials showing regular, thorough instruction during the school year. It can include instructional and reading materials, examples of the child's writing, worksheets, workbooks, creative materials and tests. A child taking college courses can show a semester report card or transcript for those courses instead.
Source: COMAR 13A.10.01, Home Instruction (Maryland State Department of Education)

Good habits (not in the law)

Keep a copy of everything you send, and of any acknowledgement you get back, with the date.
Start simple records on day one: the days you teach, the books you read and a few samples of work in each subject. They help if you move, return to school or apply to college.

Dates shown are the next time each deadline comes round from today. Your ticks and answers stay in this browser; nothing is sent.

Where this comes from

Maryland Education Article 7-301, compulsory attendance (Maryland General Assembly) (the law)
COMAR 13A.10.01, Home Instruction (Maryland State Department of Education) (state agency)
Maryland State Department of Education: Home Instruction (state agency)
Maryland State Department of Education: Home Instruction FAQ (state agency)
Maryland State Department of Education: Home Instruction Fact Sheet (state agency)
Maryland State Department of Education: BOOST Scholarship Program (state agency)

Checked on October 29, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Laws and forms change; confirm a date with your school district or the state agency before you rely on it. For legal advice, ask a lawyer licensed in Maryland; homeschool legal-help organizations and your state's homeschool groups can also point you to help. Something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.