This post contains affiliate links.
Maryland has extensive homeschool support through state organizations, regional groups, and local communities. This guide connects you with support resources, explains how to get involved, and shows why community matters for homeschoolers.
Key Takeaways
- MACHE (Maryland Association of Christian Home Educators): Founded 1989, 30+ years, largest Christian group, annual convention, curriculum fair
- MHEA (Maryland Home Education Association): Founded 1980, first Maryland group, secular-friendly, inclusive, resources and advocacy
- MDHSA (Maryland Homeschool Association): Resources, legal information, special needs support
- Regional groups: Active communities across Central, Western, Southern Maryland, and Eastern Shore
- Support groups: Informal local groups for parent connection, field trip planning, curriculum advice
Major State Organizations
MACHE (Maryland Association of Christian Home Educators)
History: Founded 1989, serving Christian homeschool families for 35+ years
Website: machemd.org
Contact: Via website or social media
What They Offer:
- Annual Convention: Largest Maryland homeschool gathering (spring)
- Curriculum Fair: Browse hundreds of curricula, meet vendors, find deals
- Support Group Directory: Find local groups organized by region (Central, Western, Southern Maryland, Eastern Shore)
- Legislative Advocacy: Monitors education bills affecting homeschoolers
- Resources: Curriculum advice, legal information, homeschool how-to guides
- Newsletter: Regular updates and community announcements
- Networking: Connect with families across Maryland
Membership: Typically $30–$50/year (varies)
Best for: Christian families seeking community, curriculum recommendations, advocacy support
Community: Large, established, welcoming to new families
Regional Chapters: MACHE maintains support groups in all Maryland regions:
- Central Maryland (Baltimore, Howard, Anne Arundel)
- Western Maryland (Frederick, Washington, Garrett counties)
- Southern Maryland (Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s)
- Eastern Shore (multiple counties)
MHEA (Maryland Home Education Association)
History: Founded 1980, first Maryland homeschool organization
Website: mhealonline.org
Contact: Via website or social media
What They Offer:
- Inclusive Community: Secular-friendly (welcomes families of all beliefs), academic focus
- Support Group Directory: Regional groups organized by area
- Resources & Workshops: How-to guides, legal information, portfolio tips
- Advocacy: Supports homeschool-friendly legislation
- Networking: Connect with non-religious and secular homeschoolers
- Publications: Helpful resources for homeschool families
- Annual Events: Meetings, workshops, social gatherings
Membership: FREE or low cost
Best for: Secular families, families wanting academic focus, families seeking inclusive community
Community: Established, supportive, inclusive
Emphasis: Homeschool as legitimate educational choice, not just religious preference
MDHSA (Maryland Homeschool Association)
Website: mdhsa.org or similar (check current listings)
What They Offer:
- Support Group Directory: Local groups by region
- Legal Resources: Homeschool law simplified
- Special Needs Information: Accommodations, advocacy, resources
- Curriculum Information: Reviews, recommendations, resources
Best for: Families seeking practical support, special needs families, legal questions
Community: Focused on practical homeschooling support and family empowerment
National Organizations (Maryland Chapters)
HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association)
What They Do (National):
- Legal defense for homeschoolers (if legal disputes arise)
- Legislative advocacy
- Curriculum discounts for members
- Educational resources
Maryland Chapter: HSLDA has Maryland-specific legal resources and monitors state legislation
Membership: ~$120/year
Best for: Families wanting legal protection, legislative updates, curriculum discounts
Resource: hslda.org (Maryland state page)
Regional Support Groups
Maryland’s support groups are organized regionally. Most operate informally and meet monthly.
Central Maryland (Baltimore, Howard, Anne Arundel Counties)
Largest concentration of groups
Examples of co-op and support group presence:
- Multiple academic and enrichment co-ops
- Classical Conversations communities
- Informal monthly co-op meetups
- Homeschool park days
- Curriculum swap and used book sales
How to find: Contact MACHE or MHEA, search Facebook for “[County] homeschool,” ask at library
Western Maryland (Frederick, Washington, Garrett, Allegany Counties)
Active community with strong co-op presence
Examples:
- Classical Conversations community (Frederick area)
- Regional enrichment co-ops
- Support groups in Frederick and Hagerstown areas
- Mountain-area outdoor learning groups
How to find: Contact MACHE, search Facebook groups
Southern Maryland (Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s Counties)
Growing homeschool community
Examples:
- Regional co-ops
- Classical and enrichment options
- Naval-base family homeschool groups (NAS Patuxent River area)
- Support groups in all three counties
How to find: Contact MACHE, local military family organizations, Facebook groups
Eastern Shore (Talbot, Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset, Worcester Counties)
Smaller but active community
Examples:
- Regional co-ops
- Rural homeschooling support
- Small town support groups
- Outdoor/nature-focused learning communities
How to find: Contact MACHE, local churches, public libraries
Types of Support Groups
What Support Groups Offer
Regular meetings (typically monthly):
- Parent networking and friendship
- Curriculum recommendations and advice
- Field trip planning and coordination
- Problem-solving and encouragement
- Spiritual/faith discussion (if Christian-focused group)
- Social events for families
Practical help:
- Curriculum swaps (buy/sell used materials)
- Resource sharing (books, materials, equipment)
- Carpool coordination for co-ops
- Referrals for tutors, therapists, specialists
- Portfolio review assistance
Community:
- Belonging to other homeschool families
- Reduced isolation for parents
- Peer friendships for children
- Celebration of milestones (graduations, achievements)
- Holiday parties and celebrations
Academic Support Groups
Focus on curriculum, teaching strategies, educational philosophy
Typical meeting: Monthly discussion, curriculum review, guest speaker on education topic
Cost: Free or small donation
Best for: Parents wanting to deepen homeschool knowledge
Social/Friendship Groups
Focus on parent connection and family friendship
Typical meeting: Monthly park day, lunch, game night, or coffee meetup
Cost: Free or cost of activity (lunch, etc.)
Best for: Families seeking community and friendship
Special Needs Groups
Support for parents of children with disabilities, learning differences, special needs
Typical focus: IEP information, accommodation strategies, resource sharing, parent encouragement
Best for: Special needs families
Resources: MDHSA has special needs information; some groups specialize in ADHD, autism, dyslexia, etc.
Co-op-Related Groups
Groups that organize around co-op activities and classes
Typical focus: Coordinating classes, teacher recruitment, family fellowship
Best for: Families already in or considering co-op participation
How to Find and Join a Support Group
Step 1: Identify Local Resources
Contact major organizations:
- Email MACHE (machemd.org) with your location
- Visit MHEA website for support group listings
- Call your local public library (ask about homeschool community)
Search online:
- Facebook: Search “[Your County] homeschool” or “[Your City] homeschool”
- Nextdoor app: Neighborhood homeschool groups
- Google: “[County] Maryland homeschool support group”
Step 2: Attend a Meeting
Best practice: Attend at least one meeting before deciding to join
What to expect:
- Informal gathering of families
- Parent conversation while kids play/do activity
- Possibly curriculum discussion or speaker
- Typically 1–2 hours
- Free or small donation for supplies
What to bring:
- Open mind
- Willingness to introduce yourself
- Questions you’d like to ask
Step 3: Get Involved
Once you find a group you like:
- Exchange contact information with leader
- Join email list or Facebook group
- Attend regular meetings
- Participate in group activities (field trips, swaps, etc.)
- Build friendships with other homeschool families
Step 4: Contribute
As you become comfortable:
- Share your experience/expertise
- Help organize activities
- Welcome new families
- Contribute curriculum recommendations
- Participate in advocacy (if interested)
What Parents Say About Support Groups
Common reasons families value groups:
“Support group saved my sanity in year one. Knowing other families faced the same challenges made everything feel manageable.”
“My kids’ best friends are from homeschool group. The social element is huge.”
“Support group taught me curriculum options I never would have found alone.”
“Having other parents to talk to makes this sustainable. It’s not lonely.”
“Our group shares resources and recommendations, which saves money and time.”
Regional Homeschool Calendar
Typical Maryland homeschool year:
| Season | Activity | |—|—| | Spring | MACHE annual convention and curriculum fair (largest event) | | Spring | Registration for fall co-ops begins | | Summer | Summer homeschool camps and programs (co-op-hosted) | | August | New school year begins; groups resume meetings | | Fall–Spring | Monthly support group meetings, co-op classes, field trips | | Spring | Graduation ceremonies and end-of-year celebrations | | Year-round | Used curriculum sales, park days, informal meetups |
Special Interest Groups
Some communities have specialized support groups:
Classical Education: Support for classical homeschoolers (Classical Conversations chapters)
Special Needs: Groups for ADHD, autism, dyslexia, gifted, special education
Unschooling/Child-Led: Groups for unschooling and natural learning approaches
Military Families: Groups near military bases (Fort Meade, Aberdeen, NAS Patuxent River)
High School/College Prep: Groups focused on transcript building, college transition
Ask locally: Check Facebook or contact MACHE/MHEA about specialized groups in your area
Virtual Support (Post-Pandemic)
Many groups now offer hybrid participation:
- Virtual monthly meetings (for families unable to attend in person)
- Online Facebook groups (active, daily support)
- Email lists (practical announcements and advice)
- Zoom co-op classes (accessibility option)
Financial Assistance
Many support groups and co-ops offer:
- Sliding scale fees for low-income families
- Scholarship opportunities for co-op participation
- Free support group meetings (no membership required)
- Used curriculum swaps (free/low-cost)
- Resource sharing (borrow books, materials, equipment)
Don’t assume you can’t afford co-op without asking about financial aid options.
Internal Links
Quick Reference: Contact Information
| Organization | Website | Focus | |—|—|—| | MACHE | machemd.org | Christian, annual convention, regional groups | | MHEA | mhealonline.org | Secular-friendly, inclusive, academic focus | | MDHSA | mdhsa.org | Practical support, special needs, legal info | | HSLDA | hslda.org (MD page) | Legal defense, legislative advocacy | | Classical Conversations | classicalconversations.com | Classical education communities |
Getting Started This Week
- Contact MACHE or MHEA with your location and learning style
- Search Facebook for local homeschool groups
- Ask at your local library about homeschool community
- Attend a support group meeting (most welcome visitors)
- Introduce yourself to other families
- Get involved at a pace that works for your family
Why Community Matters
Homeschooling is sustainable when families have community. Support groups provide:
- Encouragement: Other parents understand the challenges
- Knowledge: Experienced families share what works
- Resources: Swap materials, reduce individual cost
- Friendship: Reduce parental isolation
- Accountability: Regular connection keeps you on track
- Advocacy: Collective voice for homeschooler rights
You don’t have to homeschool alone. Maryland’s homeschool community is welcoming, established, and ready to support your family.
Maryland’s combination of organizations (MACHE, MHEA, MDHSA), strong regional co-ops, and informal support groups creates an unusually comprehensive homeschool network. Take advantage of it—the support, friendships, and resources make homeschooling more sustainable and joyful for families across the state.