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Homeschooling in Massachusetts: Start Here

Welcome to the home page for homeschooling in Massachusetts. If you are searching for information about MA homeschools or want to learn how to get started, you are in the right place.

Massachusetts has more legal requirements than most states.

Quick Massachusetts Homeschool Information

  • State notification: Annual
  • State assessment: Varies by district
  • State required subjects: Yes
  • Common Core status: Formally adopted
  • Required parent education level? None
  • Required Vaccinations? Yes, no records submitted.
  • Estimated homeschool population: 36,378
    • Learn how to get started today!

Massachusetts Homeschool Overview
And Homeschool Requirements in Massachusetts

There are an estimated 36,378 home educated students in Massachusetts

Massachusetts requires homeschooling families to submit annual reports. There are state required subjects. Massachusetts policy for homeschool assessment is as follows: Varies by district

Very few states have laws that prevent parents from homeschooling their children. Massachusetts does not prohibit parents from homeschooling based on their legal or criminal history. Only two states, Pennsylvania and Arkansas, prohibit some parents based on their criminal history or by someone living in the home.

There is no required level of education for parents in Massachusetts to educate their children at home.

Massachusetts vaccine information

Yes, there is. Yes, no records submitted.

Massachusetts Homeschool Law

Massachusetts State Standards and Common Core

Massachusetts boasted the nation’s highest-ranked standards and highest-achieving students before it adopted the Common Core. Now Massachusetts standards and state-written assessments have been completely aligned to the Common Core. Massachusetts has delayed implementation of PARCC assessments until the spring of 2016 to allow for time to compare current state assessments with PARCC.

State Subject Requirements

Districts may ask for an educational plan and may request access to instructional materials, but may not require parents to choose texts from an approved list. Districts are asked to bear in mind that homeschools must offer a program of instruction equivalent to, not identical to, that provided in public school. Districts also cannot require parents to follow any specific pedagogy.

Important MA legal information links

  • Homeschooling in Cambridge Public Schools District
  • Massachusetts, International Center for Home Education Research
  • Care and Protection of Charles (1987)
  • Court Rulings on Home Education in Massachusetts: Overview, Massachusetts Home Learning Association
  • Homeschooling in Sommerville Public School District
  • Brunelle vs. Lynn Public Schools (1988)
  • Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 76, § 1
  • Guide to Homeschooling in Massachusetts, Massachusetts Home Learning Association

    • Massachusetts Homeschool Key Resources

    How to Start Homeschooling in MA

    It is not as hard as you might think to start homeschooling in Massachusetts! Click here to get started.

    Local Homeschool Associations, Organizations, and Groups

    Our local organizations/homeschool groups database is under construction.

    Local Common Core Action Groups

    Common Core Forum

    Stop Common Core Massachusetts

    Pioneer Institute in Boston

    Find Homeschool Curriculum

    We make it incredibly easy to find the right homeschool curriculum for your family. View our list of homeschool curriculum to get started.

    Massachusetts Homeschool Conventions and Seminars

    Help Homeschooling in MA

    Still haven't found what you need/looking for? We're here to help. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.

    Sources
    Sources: State-by-state education laws, state-by-state education bylaws, Dept. Education, local homeschool groups, and the Homeschool Legal Defense Association.
    Legal Info Disclaimer
    The Homeschool Base state homeschool pages and all legal information posted should be used for informational purposes. These pages do not constitute the giving of legal advice in any form.

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