How to Start Homeschooling in Maryland: Step-by-Step Beginner Guide

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Starting homeschooling feels overwhelming. Between legal requirements, curriculum choices, setting up your space, and planning your schedule, there’s a lot to coordinate.

But breaking it into phases makes it manageable. This guide walks you through exactly what to do, from the first decision through your first semester of actual instruction.

Key Takeaways

Start planning 2-3 months before your target start date
File notification at least 15 days in advance
Choose a supervision option and curriculum framework
Set up basic record-keeping and portfolio system
Create a simple schedule to get started
Join support groups for ongoing guidance

Phase 1: Decide & Plan (2-3 Months Before Start Date)

Step 1: Make the Decision

Before you file anything, make sure homeschooling is what you want.

Consider:

Is this right for your child?
Are you committed to doing this?
Do you have support from your spouse/co-parent?
Do you have time to plan and teach?
What are your goals for homeschooling?

This matters: You don’t want to start, struggle for 6 weeks, and quit. Think this through first.

Step 2: Choose Your Target Start Date

Pick a realistic date:

Mid-August to early September (aligns with traditional school year)
January (second semester transition)
Any date is legal, but traditional school year is easiest

Mark this date down. You’ll file notification 15 days in advance of this date.

Step 3: Research Maryland Requirements

Read:

Your local superintendent’s website (look for home instruction info)
MACHE website (Maryland Association of Christian Home Educators)
MHEA website (Maryland Home Education Association)
This guide’s posts on notification and requirements

Understand:

8 required subjects
Three supervision options
Portfolio documentation needs
“Regular and thorough” standard

Step 4: Talk to Other Homeschoolers

Join groups:

Facebook groups for Maryland homeschoolers
Local co-ops (they exist in every region)
Churches with homeschool programs
MACHE or MHEA chapters

Ask questions:

How do they handle portfolio reviews?
What curriculum do they use?
How much does homeschooling cost?
What’s their daily schedule like?

Learn from experience: Real homeschoolers are your best resource.

Phase 2: Prepare Legally (6-8 Weeks Before Start Date)

Step 5: Notify Your Superintendent

If currently enrolled: Send formal withdrawal letter to current school principal (see Post 5 for template)

Then: Contact your local school district and request the Home Instruction Notification form

Complete form with:

Student information
Your contact information
Chosen supervision option (Portfolio, Church Umbrella, or Nonpublic School)
Expected start date

Submit at least 15 days before your start date. Keep copy and proof of delivery.

Step 6: Request Records from Current School

Get copies of:

Immunization records (most important—keep in safe place)
Current transcript
Any test scores or assessments
IEP or 504 Plan (if applicable)
Disciplinary records (if any)

Why: You’ll need immunization records for activities, colleges, and re-enrollment. Transcript helps you understand where your child is academically.

Step 7: Decide on Supervision Option

Three choices:

Portfolio Option — You maintain portfolio, superintendent reviews up to 3x/year

Most common
Most flexibility
Least expensive
Good if you like independence

Church Umbrella — Church supervises and maintains records

Best if you have faith community
Less direct government involvement
May have program structure
Usually low cost

Nonpublic School Supervision — Private school supervises

Most structured oversight
Professional educator involvement
Typically costs a fee
Good if you want external accountability

Default: Most families choose Portfolio. You can change later if needed.

Phase 3: Plan Curriculum (4-6 Weeks Before Start Date)

Step 8: Choose a Curriculum Framework

This is one of the bigger decisions. Options:

Boxed/All-in-One Programs (Abeka, BJU, Sonlight, My Father’s World)

Everything included
Structured scope/sequence
Teacher guides provided
~$500-2,000/year

Online Programs (Time4Learning, Power Homeschool, Khan Academy)

Computer-based instruction
Flexible timing
Some include grading
~$200-800/year

Classical Approach (Classical Conversations, Veritas Press, Well-Trained Mind)

Logic, grammar, rhetoric model
Literature-based
Often community-based
~$500-2,000/year

Charlotte Mason (Ambleside Online, A Gentle Feast)

“Living books” approach
Short lessons, varied subjects
Art/music emphasis
~$300-1,000/year

Eclectic/Custom (Build Your Library, custom combinations)

Mix of programs and resources
Maximum flexibility
Requires more planning
~$300-1,500/year

Start here: Most beginning homeschoolers pick either a boxed program (easiest) or online program (most flexible). You’ll adjust next year if needed.

Step 9: Gather Initial Curriculum

Don’t buy everything yet. Get started with:

K-3: One math program, one language arts program, library books, science activities
4-8: Math, language arts, science, social studies programs
9-12: Separate courses for each subject (or accredited program)

Budget: $300-500 to start Rule: You can add more after you see what works

Where to buy:

Rainbow Resource Center (comprehensive)
Amazon (convenient)
Well-Trained Mind Press (classical resources)
Local used curriculum sales
Facebook homeschool groups (used curriculum swaps)

Step 10: Plan Your Eight Required Subjects

Map how you’ll cover all 8:

You don’t need separate programs for each. One program might cover multiple subjects (e.g., history curriculum includes geography = part of social studies; science curriculum = science + health health topics).

Phase 4: Set Up Systems (2-4 Weeks Before Start Date)

Step 11: Create Your Portfolio System

This doesn’t need to be fancy.

Simple approach:

File box or plastic bins organized by subject
Or digital folders on computer
Or portfolio app (Google Drive, Evernote, SeeSaw)

Include:

Curriculum materials used
Work samples from each subject
Student writing
Creative projects (photograph before filing)
Reading logs
Test scores (if testing)

Organization tip: Add samples throughout the year rather than scrambling at review time.

Step 12: Set Up Your Physical Space

Where will homeschooling happen?

Not fancy—functional:

Desk or table for student work
Parent workspace nearby
Bookshelf for curriculum and books
File storage for records
Quiet learning space if possible

Budget: $100-300 to set up basic space with desk, shelves, file storage

Step 13: Create Your First-Year Schedule

Don’t overcomplicate: Start simple, adjust after first semester.

Sample Daily Schedule (Elementary):

| Time | Activity | Duration | |——|———-|———-| | 8:30-9:00 | Morning routine, read-aloud | 30 min | | 9:00-10:00 | Math | 1 hour | | 10:00-11:00 | Language Arts | 1 hour | | 11:00-12:00 | Science or Social Studies | 1 hour | | 12:00-1:00 | Lunch & break | 1 hour | | 1:00-1:30 | Art/Music | 30 min | | 1:30-2:00 | PE or outdoor time | 30 min |

Total: ~4.5 hours

Adjust for your family: Some families do 3 hours/day, others do 6. This is flexible.

Step 14: Decide on Your School Year Structure

Traditional (Aug/Sept-May/June):

180 days over 9 months
Aligns with public school
Clear school/off-time distinction

Year-Round:

Instruction 52 weeks
Built-in breaks
Fewer hours per day

Flexible/Project-Based:

Varies by project or season
More fluid structure

Recommendation for Year 1: Traditional school year. You can switch later if you want.

Phase 5: Connect & Launch (1-2 Weeks Before Start Date)

Step 15: Join Support Groups

Find local/online communities:

MHEA (Maryland Home Education Association)
MACHE (Maryland Association of Christian Home Educators)
Facebook groups for Maryland homeschoolers
Local co-ops or church groups
Classical Conversations (if that’s your model)

Why: You’ll learn from experienced families, get advice, find field trip partners, participate in co-ops.

Step 16: Arrange First-Year Extracurriculars

Start simple, add later:

Free/Low-cost:

4-H programs
Library programs
Park district activities
Church youth groups
Homeschool group field trips

Paid (optional):

Co-op classes
Tutoring
Sports leagues
Music lessons
Online classes

Year 1 advice: Pick one or two. You’ll add more as you get settled.

Step 17: Confirm Your Start Date

[ ] Notification form filed and confirmation received
[ ] Withdrawal from school complete
[ ] Curriculum ordered and received
[ ] Schedule created
[ ] Portfolio system set up
[ ] Support groups joined

If all above: You’re ready.

Phase 6: Launch & Adjust (First Month)

Step 18: Start with Realistic Expectations

First month is adjustment:

You’re learning how to teach
Student is adjusting to home learning
Schedule will need tweaking
Some curriculum won’t work—that’s normal

First 4 weeks: Focus on routine and basic instruction. Don’t worry about perfection.

Step 19: Track What’s Working

After first week:

What curriculum feels right?
Is your schedule realistic?
How many hours are you actually doing?
What subjects feel strongest?

After first month:

What would you change?
Is the schedule sustainable?
Do you need different curriculum?
Are you meeting the 8 required subjects?

Step 20: Adjust for Year 1 Success

Be willing to pivot:

Switch curriculum if it’s not working
Adjust your schedule
Try different approaches
Ask for help

You don’t have to get it perfect in September. You have a whole year to figure it out.

First-Year Timeline Summary

Summer (2-3 months before start):

Make decision
Research requirements
Talk to other families

6-8 weeks before start:

File notification with superintendent
Withdraw from current school
Request records

4-6 weeks before start:

Choose curriculum
Order materials
Decide on subjects approach

2-4 weeks before start:

Set up portfolio system
Create physical space
Draft schedule

1-2 weeks before start:

Join support groups
Plan extracurriculars
Confirm start date

First month:

Launch with grace
Track what’s working
Adjust as needed

Budget to Start (First Year)

| Category | Cost | |———-|——| | Curriculum (core subjects) | $300-800 | | Books & materials | $100-300 | | Space setup (desk, shelves, file) | $100-300 | | Portfolio/record system | Free-50 | | Co-op or classes (optional) | $0-500 | | Field trips/activities | $100-300 | | Minimum start | ~$600 | | Comfortable first year | $1,500-2,500 |

Summary: Your Roadmap

Make the decision — Confirm this is right
Set a start date — Pick Aug/Sept or Jan
File notification — At least 15 days in advance
Choose supervision option — Portfolio (easiest)
Pick curriculum — Start with one framework
Set up systems — Portfolio, space, schedule
Join groups — Find your community
Launch — Begin with grace
Adjust — Expect to tweak throughout year
Keep going — Success is sustainable teaching

You’re ready.

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