Maine has witnessed a significant rise in homeschooling over the past few years, reflecting a broader national trend toward alternative education. As of 2024, the state's total student population stands at 172,624, with 10,636 students now engaged in homeschooling. This represents a substantial 30% increase since 2020, highlighting a growing preference among Maine families for home-based education. The largest concentration of homeschoolers is found among children aged six to nine, indicating that parents of younger students are increasingly opting for this educational route during their formative years.
Maine parents may choose to educate their children at home. Parents take full responsibility for the child while providing home instruction—they legally direct the child's education by choosing the curriculum, facilitating the process and determining academic needs. Home instruction is funded exclusively by the parent.
The compulsory age is which is six-is when you have to start reporting to the state and your local superintendent. That means that from the ages of 6-17 your child needs to be in some sort of educational environment, whether that is public, private, or homeschool.
This homeschooling trend is particularly pronounced in certain regions of Maine. Auburn, Bangor, and Augusta have emerged as the areas with the highest number of homeschool students, reflecting a strong shift toward home education in both urban and suburban settings. Additionally, rural areas like the Mt. Blue Regional School District (RSU 9) in Western Maine have also seen a notable rise in homeschooling. This sprawling district, known for its vast geographical reach, has become a hub for families choosing to educate their children at home, contributing to the overall growth in homeschooling across the state.
By your child’s 6th birthday, you must mail in a notice of intent. The notice of intent is a letter that states you are going to be homeschooling your child. It is a notice, not an application. You do not apply or register to be a homeschooler in Maine.
While the Department does not make curriculum recommendations, there are resources available. Those interested in home instruction in Maine may refer to these resources like Email Updates about home instruction from the Department or Check in with the resident public school administrative unit before the start of the school year regarding borrowing textbooks and participating in unit assessments or other public school resources.