Massachusetts homeschool laws
Requirements summary
Massachusetts is one of the most regulated homeschool states. Parents must notify the local school district and get the district's approval of a home schooling plan before they begin, for children of compulsory school age (6 to 16). Notifying the district does not by itself let you start, and removing a child without an approved plan can make the child truant. Each school committee sets its own approval policy, so what the plan must cover and how often it is reviewed depends on the district. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does not approve plans or review a district's decision.
Expect ongoing requirements, which can include notices, hour or attendance logs, testing, portfolio reviews, or plan approval.
Note: After you notify the district, it must send you its home schooling policy and ask for your proposed plan. It then approves the plan, asks for changes, or disapproves it, and should tell you its decision in writing within a reasonable time. Districts typically look at content, materials, how long and how often you teach, teaching methods and evaluation. Homeschooled students keep the right to special education evaluation and services. Whether a homeschooled student may join district courses, programs or athletics is up to each district.
Notice and filing deadlines
No fixed yearly filing date is listed for Massachusetts. The summary above explains when, or whether, a notice is due.
Required subjects
- Spelling
- Reading
- Writing
- English language and grammar
- Geography
- Arithmetic
- Drawing
- Music
- United States history and Constitution
- Duties of citizenship
- Health
- Physical education
- Good behavior
Hours and days of instruction
Our summary does not list a specific hour or day count for Massachusetts.
Testing and evaluation
Districts typically look at content, materials, how long and how often you teach, teaching methods and evaluation.
Homeschooled students keep the right to special education evaluation and services.
Recordkeeping
Homeschooled students keep the right to special education evaluation and services.
Pre-filled filing draft
Not yet. HomeStudyPath does not have a pre-filled filing draft for Massachusetts, but it can still remind you of any deadlines listed above.
Official sources
This is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official sources above.
Homeschooling in Massachusetts?
HomeStudyPath puts your filing dates on your calendar and keeps the attendance, hours, and records your state asks for.
Track your state's deadlines automatically