How Do I Homeschool In Maryland?

Homeschooling might sound like a popular option for people living in Maryland. Around 5% of the K-12 population currently receives classes from their parents, not teachers. Does this mean that Maryland provides an easy path for homeschooling?

To homeschool in Maryland, you must follow these steps:

Choose one out of three approved options

File a Maryland State Homeschool Notification, also known as a Notice of Consent.
Submit your form at least 15 days before starting homeschooling
Prepare a binder, accordion file organizer, or digital record.

This article will give you more details about what options Maryland offers for homeschooling.

Homeschooling Options In Maryland

The state of Maryland offers homeschooling under one out of three options for homeschool. These three options are a portfolio, church umbrella, or state-approved school.

Portfolio

The portfolio option requires the parents to be in charge of the following:

Record keeping of all the projects completed by the student. Parents can use the following:
1. A Binder
2. An accordion
3. Digital documents
Teaching the minimum required subjects
Meeting every quarter with the Maryland State Department of Education’s superintendent

Church Umbrella

Homeschooling under a church umbrella in Maryland means ministries will oversee the student’s progress. Here are some of the church options you have:

Conowingo – Rising Sun Christian School
Mount Airy Christian Family Academy, also known as MACFA

Salem Christian School
Wellspring Christian Family Schools
Many Paths Of Natural Learning

State-Approved School

Homeschooling under state-approved schools is similar to homeschooling under the church umbrella. The main difference between them is that instead of a church, a school teacher will be assigned to help the parents.

Before You Begin Homeschooling In Maryland

Now that you understand the homeschooling options you have in Maryland, let’s look at more information essential to know before you start.

Do You Have The Time? Space? Interest?

When it comes to the time, the state of Maryland doesn’t have any laws about it. However, your child should complete at least 20 minutes of class per subject. If your child is at the elementary level, you can increase this time according to their needs. Still, it shouldn’t exceed 180 minutes per instruction.

The time per lesson will reduce as the child moves through middle and high school. In these levels, you will look for an average of 60 minutes. But, the time may vary based on the child’s needs.

Regarding space, children should have a designated area for schooling. It would be best if you had a proper setup where they could concentrate. Although you don’t need to set up an actual classroom, your child needs a table and a chair.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the interest in homeschooling increased outstandingly. The state of Maryland already has a large population of homeschools. If you are interested, you will find many support groups to guide you through this process.

Maryland Laws For Homeschooling

There are not a lot of regulations about homeschooling in Maryland. However, some of the laws Maryland has in place include the following list:

The program should consist of the following subjects:
1. English
2. Mathematics
3. Science
4. Social studies
5. Art
6. Music
7. Health
8. Physical education
Tests or assessments are not mandatory.
Children between 5 years and 18 years old must receive an education.

Parents who decide to homeschool must submit their forms to the superintendent at least 15 days before starting homeschool classes.
Parents don’t need a certification to teach classes.
Parents must keep records of their children’s work in a portfolio and present it for review before an allowed entity.

Parents are responsible for informing the superintendent if they decide to switch to a public school instead.
Parents are responsible for any absence during the school year.

Registration Process

Now that you understand the requirements for homeschooling in Maryland, let’s review the registration process.

As of 2021, the form is available as an electronic form that you can fill out from any device (smartphone, tablet, or computer). Also, you can print the form and submit it via snail mail.

Costs Of Homeschooling In Maryland

The cost of homeschooling in Maryland varies depending on the option you choose.

There is no charge for a homeschool portfolio option. The cost for a church umbrella program varies depending on the church. Some families pay as low as $250, while others spend as much as $1800.

State-approved schools can charge you around $700 per homeschooled child.

Image 100468811 14539113, Home Schooling Fun

Choosing A Homeschool Curriculum

The state of Maryland doesn’t have a set curriculum for homeschoolers. Let’s see more information about the style and state standards in place.

Style

As we mentioned, you don’t need a specific Maryland homeschooling curriculum. As long as the parent teaches the required subjects, they can choose the materials and textbooks for each one. Here is a list of frequently used home-based learning programs to get your curriculum search started:

Math-U-See
Calvert Homeschool

State Standard

Most parents creatively use this freedom and create their curriculum. But other entities can help you create a curriculum for your children if you want to. Some of these services are one google search away from you.

Recordkeeping And Testing For Homeschooled Students

It is the parent’s responsibility to record all the work completed by their children. Most parents choose to use a binder where they can separate each subject. Others choose accordion file organizers. Other parents choose to keep all files digital for easy access.

While some parents may opt-in for assessments, testing is not mandatory in Maryland.

Homeschooling and Special Education Services

Parents may seek assistance from school principals to find special education services for their disabled children. The law doesn’t forbid public schools to aid parents in this situation, nor encourage it. So, we might say it remains a grey area where the school and parents can agree to specific programs.

Homeschooled Students And Public School Access

When it comes to access to public school extracurricular activities, the law doesn’t prohibit it. However, no legislation supports it either. If the school allows it, the student can participate.

Graduation Requirements

Parents are also responsible for setting the graduation requirements for their homeschooled children. Most parents consult the criteria before applying for a specific university, course, or job. Once the parent has determined their children are ready to submit their applications, they are deemed graduated.

Field Trips For Homeschooled Students

Some of the field trips available for homeschooled students in Maryland include:

Museums

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
College Park Aviation Museum

The Fire Museum of Maryland

Industrial areas

Factory Tours in Maryland

Hammond Harwood House

Outdoor

River Valley Ranch

Maryland Zoo
Adkins Arboretum

Science Labs

Maryland Education & Reference Sites
National Library of Medicine
Maryland Science Center

Image 100468811 13697916, Home Schooling Fun

Homeschool Associations, Groups, and Co-Ops

Associations, co-ops, and groups exist in Maryland to help parents connect with other people who can assist with the process. Here, we brought you a list of groups you can find by county.

Baltimore

Greater Baltimore Christian Homeschoolers, in Baltimore

Baltimore Homeschool Community Center, in Owings Mills
Black Homeschool Co-Op
Branch Homeschool Co-Op at Fullerton Community Center in Baltimore

Maryland Homeschool Reviews, in Owings Mills

Prince George’s

Ascension Homeschool Co-op, in Bowie

Cheverly STEM Education Center, in Cheverly
Bridge Elementary Tutorial, in Bowie
Silver Oaks Cooperative School, in Adelphi

Carroll

TGIF Homeschool Group, in Sykesville
Howard County Homeschooling (HCHC), in Henrytown

Christiana Homeschool Academy, in Westminster
Carroll county homeschool community center, in Hampstead

Anne Arundel

Severn Run Classical Christan Homeschool Academy, in Millersville
Annapolis Classical Tutorial Service, in Annapolis
Golden Mean Tutorial Cooperative, in Gambrills

Frederick

Frederick East Classical, in Walkersville

Howard

MHEA, in Columbia

Conclusion

Homeschooling in Maryland is relatively easy. There are just a few regulations you need to follow. But as long as you are aware of your responsibility in your children’s education, the rest will be easy to achieve.