The Maryland 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.
Notify your local school system (or a supervising nonpublic school/institution) of your home instruction program; verify continuation annually; the program is reviewed by that entity.
Where it goes: Local school system or supervising nonpublic entity
Portfolio review of instructional materials and work samples, typically up to three times a year under the local system option (or per your supervising nonpublic entity).
Subjects: English, math, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education (COMAR 13A.10.01)
Records: The portfolio itself: instructional materials and examples of work demonstrating regular, thorough instruction.
[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 Maryland 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