Frequently Asked Questions About Starting to Homeschool

Anne Arundel County Public Schools produced a 9-minute video on starting to homeschool in Maryland. We’ll just add 2 notes to an otherwise accurate and informational video. First, homeschool families are not required to bring their children to the county portfolio reviews. If you choose to bring your child to your review, you are not obligated to have your child speak with the county reviewer.

Second, while it is true that Maryland homeschoolers cannot receive a state diploma, many families do not opt to get a GED. Find out more about parent-issued and umbrella-issued homeschool diplomas.

How do I start homeschooling?

In order to legally homeschool in Maryland, parents must file a Notice of Intent with their local county school board two weeks before beginning.

Do I need to have a teacher degree or some type of college education before I can homeschool?

No. Maryland does not require a parent to have completed any specific level of education before they can homeschool their own child.

Do I have to withdraw my child from public school (if they are already attending)?

Submitting your Notice of Intent form notifies the school district that you intend on transferring your child to a different educational setting. Your county homeschool liaison will complete notification within the district that your child will no longer be enrolled in their locally zoned public school.

Do I have to enroll my child in public school, if they have never attended?

If your child has never attended a Maryland public school, you do not need to enroll them in your locally zoned school prior to submitting your Notice of Intent form.

Can I start homeschooling mid-year?

Yes. A parent can elect to homeschool their child at any time of the year.

Can I hire someone else to homeschool my child?

Yes, parents can hire tutors and teachers to assist with their homeschooling; however, the child’s parent is ultimately responsible for attending homeschool reviews to demonstrate the child is receiving regular, thorough instruction.

Do I have to teach math (or any other subject) everyday?

No. COMAR does not require parents to follow a traditional instructional calendar. As long as you are able to demonstrate your child is receiving regular, thorough instruction in the courses normally taught to children of the same age, you can determine the frequency of individual classes.

What happens if I fail a homeschool review?

Should your county homeschool liaison find that you are not providing regular, thorough instruction, you will be given 30-days to rectify the identified deficiencies. If your follow-up review continues to show that you are not meeting regulatory requirements, you children will be ordered to enroll in a traditional brick and mortar school.

Last modified on September 13, 2019

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