** This webpage is provided for informational purposes. It is not legal advice. **
Homeschool Graduation Requirements
No specific Maryland homeschool high school graduation requirements exist. Families, however, must be aware of a variety of other education laws and regulations that impact what must be taught during the homeschool high years.
Maryland’s homeschool regulation specifically states that parents must provide “regular, thorough instruction during the school year in the studies usually taught in the public schools to children of the same age.” COMAR goes on to specify that homeschool instruction MUST “include instruction in English, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education.”
In order to figure out what those “studies usually taught in the public schools” are, the Maryland State Department of Education looks to COMAR 13A.03.02.03, Maryland state graduation requirements, for guidance.
For example:
- English must be taught for 4 years of high school homeschool
- Parents can customize English classes any way they want
- Math must be taught for 4 years of high school homeschool
- Algebra 1 and Geometry must be included, but the other 2 math classes are a parent’s choice
- Social Studies must be taught for 3 years of high school homeschool
- US History, World History, and Government must be taught for one full credit each
Maryland’s complete state graduation requirements for public school students are listed below.
What About Non-Core Classes?
Required Non-Core Classes
COMAR specifically states that regular, thorough instruction must include art, music, health, and physical education – even in high school.
Non-Required Non-Core Classes
Maryland regulations do not require homeschoolers to provide any instruction in courses such as engineering, technology, foreign language, or career and vocational training.
Bottom Line
Whether a family reviews with their county or with an umbrella, parents must provide instruction in a few specific courses during the high school homeschool years. Beyond the 5 specifically named courses, parent have flexibility in determining their homeschooler’s graduation requirements.
When setting your homeschool graduation requirements, keep an eye on your child’s post-secondary goals – be it college, military, trade school, or direct employment. Plan your high school curriculum around entrance/hire requirements. In Maryland, many college admission requirements mirror state graduation requirements. That will mean at least 2 years of a foreign language. More prestigious schools will expect more demanding high school coursework, rather than the bare minimum.
Last modified on September 5, 2023