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Home Instruction

St. Mary’s County Public Schools supports homeschooling in accordance with the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 13a.10.01. The purpose of these regulations is to establish a procedure to be used to determine if a child participating in a home instruction program is receiving regular, thorough instruction during the school year in the studies usually taught in the public schools to children of the same age. The home instruction program must be under the supervision of either the student’s local school system or a nonpublic entity that is registered with the Maryland State Department of Education. Nonpublic Entities Registered to Supervise Home Instruction of Maryland Students. 

Parents/Guardians who choose to teach a child at home must submit a Home Instruction Notification Form to the address below at least 15 days before beginning a homeschooling program. Each year thereafter, a parent/guardian needs to verify the continuation of homeschooling and notify the Homeschooling Office or the supervisory nonpublic institution if there is a change in homeschooling status during the school year.  

A home instruction program under the St. Mary's County Public System will be reviewed at the end of each semester.  If the Home Instruction student is supervised by a nonpublic school or institution, that entity will verify the continuation or dismissal of the student under their supervision. 

If there is a change in home instruction status, please complete a Home Instruction Change of Status Form.

Resources

Home Instruction Portfolio Review Link

Preparing the Portfolio 

Home Instruction - COMAR (MSDE)

Home Instruction - Questions and Answers (MSDE)

Home Instruction Compulsory Attendance Law (MSDE)

Home Instruction Fact Sheet (MSDE)

Home Schooling/Home Instruction Policy - JEJ

Home Schooling/Home Instruction Regulation - JEJ-R

Maryland Homeschool Association

Home Instruction Notification Form PS 800

Home Instruction Change of Status Form PS 800A 

SAT - College Board Information

Home Instruction Process in Maryland Video

Home Instruction Process in Maryland Video (Espanol) 

Resources for Home Instruction