Your guide to homeschooling in Maryland

Maybe your mornings feel rushed. Maybe your child thrives on deep dives into topics that school can’t always make space for. Or maybe you’re simply ready to slow things down and teach with more intention. Whatever brought you here, homeschooling opens up space for learning to happen when and how it makes sense for your family.

This guide walks you through what homeschooling looks like in Maryland, from the options families can choose to how requirements like recordkeeping and subject coverage work. You’ll also see how tools like Outschool can help you shape a routine that supports your learner’s growth and keeps things flexible.

Homeschooling options in Maryland

In Maryland, families have four ways to meet the state’s supervision requirement under the official home instruction regulation. Each path offers a different level of guidance and support, so you can choose the approach that feels right for your child. Here’s how each one of them works:

Homeschooling through the portfolio option

If you’d like to lead your child’s learning from start to finish, this path gives you that freedom. You’ll let your local school district know you’re homeschooling and keep a portfolio that shows what your child is working on. Twice a year, someone from the district will check in and look over those materials.

Homeschooling under a state-approved school umbrella

For families who want a bit more structure, this option pairs you with a nonpublic school approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). These umbrella schools supervise your homeschooling and handle the reporting that your district needs. Some also offer regular check-ins or support along the way.

A church-exempt school umbrella

This option involves enrolling in a school operated by a bona fide church organization. These schools are registered with the state, though they don’t follow the same approval process as MSDE-recognized nonpublic schools. Many offer homeschool oversight, plus extra resources or a sense of community.

A church umbrella program

This path is also church-based, but instead of joining a school, you’re working with a program run by a church to oversee your homeschooling. You’re still in charge of teaching, while the church umbrella provides supervision and submits a yearly verification to your local district.

You’ll often hear both church-based paths called “church umbrella schools,” but they’re not quite the same. Knowing the difference can help you decide which kind of support and setup is the better match for your family.

Requirements for homeschooling in Maryland

Homeschooling in Maryland comes with a few important responsibilities, but you have flexibility in how you meet them depending on the path you choose. Some expectations are consistent across all options, and knowing what’s required can help you plan your child’s academic year with confidence.

Enrollment paperwork

You need to officially notify the local school system before starting.

• If you’re following the portfolio option, submit the Notice of Intent at least 15 days before your homeschool program begins.
• For families enrolled in an umbrella program, your supervising school or organization submits annual verification forms to the district to confirm your enrollment is active.

Attendance and instruction

Maryland expects homeschool instruction to be “regular and thorough,” but that doesn’t mean you need to follow a set school schedule or hold any sort of teaching certification.

• As the parent, you can teach your child without a license or other special qualifications.
• Lessons can be as structured or as creative as you’d like, as long as learning is happening on a consistent basis.
• There’s no hourly or daily instruction requirement, which gives you room to create a rhythm that works for your family.

Curriculum guidelines

You have the freedom to choose or design a curriculum that works for your child. Maryland doesn’t require families to use a specific program or get approval for materials. What matters most is that your plan includes the following required subjects:

• English
• Math
• Science
• Social studies
• Art
• Music
• Health
• Physical education

How you teach these is entirely up to you. To keep things engaging, you can blend workbooks, hands-on projects, online classes, and interest-led learning.

Recordkeeping

• If you're following the portfolio option, you’ll want to hold on to samples of your child’s work, a list of materials or resources used, and any notes or logs that show what’s being covered. Your school district will review these up to twice a year.
• For families enrolled in an umbrella program, the supervising school or organization manages the recordkeeping and handles all necessary documentation.

Testing and assessments

There’s no requirement for standardized testing in Maryland.

• If you’re using the portfolio option, your child’s progress is reviewed through the portfolio itself, not through test scores.
• Families can opt into public school testing if they’d like, but it’s optional and not expected.

Homeschool with Outschool

Whichever homeschool path you’re following in Maryland, you don’t have to do it all on your own. Adding in outside classes can bring a welcome mix of variety and new voices into your child’s learning experience, without giving up the flexibility you value.

Outschool offers live, teacher-led classes that work alongside any of Maryland’s homeschool options. If you're building a portfolio, they can be a great way to show subject coverage through recorded work or class logs. If you're working with an umbrella school, Outschool can help you round out your schedule with enrichment, core instruction, or both.

How to get started

Getting started with homeschooling in Maryland is mostly about knowing your options and getting the right paperwork in place. Below are step-by-step snapshots for each path to help you move forward with confidence.

If you’re homeschooling through the portfolio option

• Submit a Notice of Intent to your local superintendent at least 15 days before starting.
• Plan how you'll cover Maryland’s required subjects throughout the year.
• Keep a portfolio with instructional materials, reading lists, and samples of your child’s work.
• Be prepared for up to three reviews per year, usually held once or twice, where you’ll share your portfolio.
• Notify your school district if your homeschool status changes, such as if you switch options or stop homeschooling.

If you’re homeschooling under a state-approved school umbrella

• Choose a nonpublic school that holds a Certificate of Approval from the MSDE.
• Enroll with them and follow any guidelines for check-ins, lesson plan reviews, or progress reports.
• The umbrella school supervises your instruction and sends verification to your local district annually.
• Most provide regular feedback or support as part of your enrollment.
• Let them know if you change your homeschool status; they’ll handle updates with the school system.

If you’re homeschooling through a church-exempt school umbrella

• Enroll with a nonpublic school that’s operated by a bona fide church and exempt from MSDE’s approval process.
• Submit your Notice of Intent listing the church-exempt school as your chosen path.
• These programs offer oversight through things like pre-enrollment meetings, lesson reviews, and parent check-ins.
• Each year, confirm with the school that you’re continuing in the program.
• Communicate changes like moving, switching programs, or stopping homeschooling directly to your umbrella.

If you’re homeschooling through a church umbrella program

• Join a homeschool program run by a bona fide church organization.
• Submit your Notice of Intent with the program name listed under the church umbrella option.
• The church program supervises your homeschool with required support like lesson planning reviews and parent meetings.
• Reconfirm your participation each year with the umbrella and let them handle district reporting.
• Keep them updated if anything changes during the year; they'll communicate that to the school system.

Find support through homeschool communities in Maryland

Finding your homeschool rhythm is easier when you have a support system behind you. Maryland families have many opportunities to connect, share experiences, and support each other through the challenges and successes of learning at home.

Statewide organizations

• Maryland Home Education Association (MHEA): One of Maryland’s earliest homeschool groups, MHEA has grown from a few families to a statewide network. Today, it supports thousands of homeschoolers and celebrates family-led learning in all its forms.
• Maryland Homeschool Association: A volunteer-led group uniting families from all backgrounds and approaches, with a shared mission to protect homeschooling rights and support parents who choose this path.
• Many Paths of Natural Learning: Both an umbrella and support group, Many Paths believes that families thrive when learning follows the child’s natural interests. They offer personalized guidance, resource suggestions, and a strong sense of community for self-motivated learners.

Local groups and co-ops

• Homeschooling Parents–Caroline County: A welcoming space for parents to swap ideas, plan meetups, and organize field trips. Great for building friendships and staying connected with nearby families.
• Home Educators of the Eastern Shore: Offers a blend of field trips, seasonal events, and optional co-ops focused on science, history, and more. Membership includes access to their private support resources and activity planning.
• Mason-Dixon Homeschoolers Association (MDHSA): Serves families in both Maryland and Pennsylvania with co-op classes, local support groups, and regular outings for kids and parents alike.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Every family has questions when they’re starting out or even years into homeschooling. Here are a few of the most common ones Maryland parents ask, with simple answers to help you feel more confident.

Do I need to be a certified teacher to homeschool my child in Maryland?

Not at all. Parents and guardians can teach their children at home without any teaching license. You can also bring in a tutor or join a co-op for specific subjects, but you’re still considered the primary person responsible for meeting Maryland’s homeschool requirements.

Is my child required to take standardized tests while homeschooling in Maryland?

No testing is required. If you’re under the portfolio option, you’ll just need to show samples of learning twice a year. However, you can choose to join public school standardized tests if you’d like. You’ll just need to request it from your local school system.

Can my homeschooled child join a public school sports team in Maryland?

Unfortunately, no. Current Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) rules don't allow homeschoolers to participate in public high school sports. Only students enrolled in that school system can join, and homeschool teams can’t compete against MPSSAA teams either. Many families turn to local rec leagues or homeschool sports groups for other ways to stay active.

Education that starts with what matters most

At its heart, homeschooling lets you focus on the kind of learning that works best for your child. Once you’re familiar with Maryland’s requirements, you’ll have the freedom to make choices that reflect your goals, values, and day-to-day life.

Outschool can support you in that process with live, flexible classes that blend seamlessly into whatever plan you’re building. Whether you need full-course options or just a few creative extras, there’s space to design a week that reflects your child’s interests and your family’s rhythm.