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Massachusetts Homeschool Information

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—Homeschool In Massachusetts—

Homeschooling in Massachusetts

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Find Out What the State Says About Home Education

Massachusetts School Choice

Click above for general information on the school choice.

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Massachusetts Department of Education

Click above for the state Education Information.

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Massachusetts Homeschool Review

📌 Mandatory School Age

  • All children in Massachusetts must receive an education between ages 6 and 16, either through public/private school or homeschooling approved in advance by the local school district

✅ Required Approval Process

1. Submit Notice of Intent & Education Plan

  • You must notify your local school superintendent or school committee before withdrawing a child from school and before beginning homeschool

  • The submitted education plan (aka “home school proposal”) should include:

    • Curriculum outline and required subjects

    • Schedule (hours/days)

    • Instruction methods and materials

    • Parent qualifications

    • Evaluation plan (testing, portfolio, progress reports)

2. District Review & Decision

  • The school district reviews your plan for “thoroughness and efficiency” relative to public schools

  • They can:

    • Approve it

    • Require modifications

    • Or Deny it (only if it fails to meet standards) .

  • They must respond in a timely, preferably written, manner.

🎓 Curriculum Requirements

Homeschoolers are legally required to teach the following subjects annually

  • Spelling, reading, writing, English grammar

  • Arithmetic (math)

  • Geography

  • Music, drawing/art

  • U.S. history & Constitution

  • Duties of citizenship

  • Health (including CPR), physical education

  • Good behavior

⏰ Instructional Time Guidelines

  • Although Massachusetts state law does not set statewide hour mandates, districts usually expect roughly 180 days and 900 hours of instruction per year at the elementary level to mirror public schools ti

  • For secondary, about 990 hours is typical

  • Your plan should specify how you’ll meet or creatively exceed these guidelines.

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    🧾 Assessment & Record-Keeping

    • Districts may require regular assessment via:

      • Standardized testing (not required statewide, but district can mandate it)

      • Or alternatives like portfolios, progress reports, dated samples—with parental agreement 

    • Maintain records of attendance, curriculum, materials, samples, and assessments—useful for district review or re-entry into school .

    • There’s no mandated standardized testing like MCAS for homeschoolers unless your district requires it

    👩‍🏫 Parent Qualifications

    • Parents do not need teaching credentials or degrees.

    • The district may assess competency—but this refers to ability and moral character, not certification

    🧩 Special Education Rights

    • Homeschooled children retain the right to special education services. Districts must evaluate and provide services if eligible 

    🏫 Access to Public School Programs

    • Participation in public school extracurriculars, electives, or athletic programs is at district discretion, and policies vary .

    📝 Annual Renewal

    • You must renew your notice and education plan annually—typically submitted before the new school year begins 

    Enrolling In A Private Accredited Online School Changes Things Somewhat

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    3. Accreditation ≠ Automatic Exemption

    Massachusetts law does not recognize out-of-state accreditation as a substitute for local approval. The school committee still must ensure that your child’s education meets minimum standards.

    ✅ What You Can Do:

    If you plan to use an out-of-state online school as your full curriculum provider:

    • Disclose that in your education plan to the district (e.g., curriculum materials, schedule, subjects covered, methods of evaluation).

    • Be clear about how the program meets state subject requirements and instructional time expectations.

    • Request that the school provide documentation you can submit to your local superintendent.

    In Massachusetts If You Enroll In An Accredited Private Online Homeschool

    Enrolling in an out-of-state accredited online school does not exempt a Massachusetts family from complying with state homeschool laws.

    🔍 Here’s why:

    1. Massachusetts treats online private schools as homeschool if the student is not attending in person.

    Even if the online school is accredited and offers a full curriculum, Massachusetts law still requires local school district approval of any at-home education program—including one provided by a virtual private school based outside the state.

    👉 Key Point: The mode of delivery (online) and location of the provider (out of state) does not change your legal obligation to:

    • Submit a Notice of Intent

    • Provide an education plan

    • Agree on assessment methods

    • Follow local oversight procedures

    2. Massachusetts courts have reinforced this interpretation.

    In Care and Protection of Charles (1987), the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court emphasized that parents must demonstrate that their homeschooling program is equivalent to public education and subject to district review, regardless of materials used or curriculum provider.

    This applies even if your online school:

    • Is regionally accredited

    • Offers teacher support

    • Issues report cards or transcripts

      Massachusetts K-12 School Choice

      HOMESCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL 3A

      ✅ 6. Homeschooling

      • Legal with local district approval

      • Families may design their own program or use online/private providers.

      🔍 What Massachusetts Does NOT Offer

      • ❌ No Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)

      • ❌ No school voucher programs

      • ❌ No state-funded scholarships for private schools

      • ❌ No statewide open enrollment mandate

      Massachusetts School Choice Summary

      Massachusetts offers several K–12 school choice options, though they are more limited than in some other states. Here is a clear breakdown of what is available:

      ✅ 1. Inter-District School Choice

      • Allows students to attend public schools outside their home district if the receiving district participates.

      • Voluntary for school districts—they can choose to accept students and set limits.

      • Families do not pay tuition, but transportation is usually not provided.

      • Priority often goes to siblings of current students.

      🔹 Apply through the receiving school district, not the state.

      ✅ 2. Charter Schools

      • Publicly funded, independently operated schools that are tuition-free.

      • Open to all students in the state, with priority often given to those living within the school’s region.

      • Enrollment is typically done through a lottery system if applications exceed seats.

      🔹 Overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

      ✅ 3. METCO Program (Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity)

      • A voluntary desegregation program that allows students from Boston and Springfield to attend suburban public schools.

      • Seats are limited and allocated through a lottery and waitlist system.

      • Funded by the state; tuition is free to families.

      • Transportation is provided.

      🔹 Best suited for families in urban areas seeking education in nearby suburban districts.

      ✅ 4. Vocational-Technical Schools

      • Public technical high schools offering career-focused education alongside academics.

      • Available to students starting around grade 9, usually via application.

      • Regional vocational districts may include multiple towns.

      🔹 Students must often apply in 8th grade.

      ✅ 5. Private Schools (Parental Choice)

      • Families may choose to enroll in private schools, including religious or secular institutions.

      • Parents are responsible for tuition and fees.

      • No state scholarships or tuition assistance programs are currently available in Massachusetts.

      Homeschool Resources for Massachusetts

      Homeschooling has been part of education for centuries. In earlier times, it was simple to begin without worrying about rules or oversight. Today, however, homeschooling regulations vary by state, and some families may find it more challenging to get started. That’s why NFC Academy provides helpful state-specific pages outlining homeschool laws—to guide and support you as you begin your journey.

      In areas with stricter requirements, having reliable support is important. Organizations like the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) offer valuable legal guidance and protection, helping families stay informed and confident. With the right tools and resources, homeschooling can be a rewarding and manageable experience, no matter where you live.

      Homeschool Legal Defense Association

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      Information on this page is intended for informational purposes for homeschool families in the specific state. The information supplied does not, nor is it intended to, provide specific legal advice. For specific legal advice, we recommend you consult an attorney.  Membership with Homeschool Legal Defense may provide legal information for your situation, but you may prefer a local private attorney to review your situation to provide specific legal advice. The information provided was assisted in writing by AI.