The Maine rules in plain English - notice, testing, records, and the dates families actually miss. Verified against the official sources below on 2026-10-18.
Before anything else: this is orientation, not legal advice. Requirements change and local offices have their own habits. The sources at the bottom are the authority - check them before you file.
First year: written notice of intent to both your local school officials and the commissioner within 10 calendar days of starting (the Home Instruction Portal handles both). Subsequent years: continuation letter by September 1 with prior-year assessment results.
Where it goes: Local school officials + DOE commissioner (annual)
Annual assessment - standardized test, a test developed with local officials, a portfolio review by a Maine-certified teacher, or another agreed measure. Results filed with the continuation letter.
Subjects: 175 days annually; English/language arts, math, science, social studies, PE, health, library skills, fine arts (+ Maine studies, computer proficiency in later grades)
Records: Keep assessment results and your notice confirmations.
[Your name]
[Address]
[Date]
Dear your local school authority,
I am writing to notify you of my intent to home educate for my child, [student name], grade [X], for the [20XX-XX] school year.
Included: the required information.
Respectfully,
[Your name] · [phone] · [email]
Want this handled? The Records Office drafts your Maine notice or filing every year, keeps the deadline calendar, and builds the transcript and course descriptions colleges expect. Founding families: $99/year.
VERIFIED 2026-10-18 AGAINST THE SOURCES ABOVE · HOMESCHOOL RECORDS OFFICE · YOU ARE THE SCHOOL OF RECORD · THIS GUIDE IS ORIENTATION, NOT LEGAL ADVICE