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Maryland requires instruction in eight specific subjects, but does not mandate how those subjects are taught or which curricula to use. This guide breaks down each required subject, what “adequate” instruction looks like for portfolio review, and practical approaches for meeting requirements.
Key Takeaways
- Maryland requires 8 subjects (not optional): English, math, science, social studies, art, music, health, PE
- No state standards or grade-level benchmarks apply to homeschoolers
- “Regular and thorough” instruction is the legal standard; portfolio must document all eight subjects
- Portfolio reviews typically occur twice per year (semester ends)
- Superintendent assesses whether portfolio demonstrates instruction in all eight areas
Maryland’s Eight Required Subjects
1. English (Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar)
What’s Required: Instruction and practice in reading, writing, spelling, and grammar. Literature study and written expression are core.
Portfolio Documentation:
- Reading lists (books, articles, stories studied)
- Writing samples across genres (essays, stories, journals, creative writing)
- Grammar and spelling work (workbook pages, writing samples showing application)
- Book reports, reading comprehension activities, or literature discussion notes
Curriculum Options:
- Structured: BJU, Abeka, Writing With Writers
- Literature-based: Sonlight, Ambleside Online, Build Your Library
- Self-paced: Khan Academy, Time4Learning
- DIY: Library books + writing prompts + grammar workbook
Key Point: Superintendent wants evidence of regular reading and writing practice. Save writing samples throughout the year rather than scrambling to produce them at portfolio review.
2. Mathematics
What’s Required: Instruction in mathematical concepts and operations appropriate to grade level. No specific standards apply, but competency in computation and problem-solving is expected.
Portfolio Documentation:
- Completed math workbooks or worksheets
- Online program records (Time4Learning completion, Khan Academy progress)
- Tests or quizzes
- Real-world math applications (budgeting, cooking, construction projects)
- Problem-solving work
Curriculum Options:
- Traditional: Saxon Math, Math Mammoth, Singapore Math
- Online: Khan Academy (free), Time4Learning, IXL
- Manipulative-based: Beast Academy, Art of Problem Solving
- Eclectic: Mix textbook with online supplements
Key Point: Mathematics should be ongoing throughout the year. Sporadic math instruction is difficult to defend in portfolio review.
3. Science
What’s Required: Instruction in scientific concepts, inquiry, and experimentation. Hands-on learning is valuable but not mandatory.
Portfolio Documentation:
- Science workbook pages or textbook completion
- Lab reports or experiment write-ups
- Observation journals (nature walks, weather, ecology studies)
- Online course records
- Project documentation (science fair projects, models, research papers)
- Photos of hands-on activities and demonstrations
Curriculum Options:
- Traditional: Abeka, BJU, Apologia (Who What Where When Why?)
- Inquiry-based: Mystery of History (history/science blend)
- Online: Khan Academy (free), Outschool, online co-op courses
- Natural: Outdoor education, nature journaling, Chesapeake Bay ecology studies
Maryland Advantage: Use Chesapeake Bay as a living laboratory for marine biology, ecology, water science, and watershed studies. Calvert Cliffs State Park offers fossil exploration (Miocene era paleontology).
4. Social Studies (History, Geography, Civics)
What’s Required: Instruction in history, geography, and civics. Maryland-specific history, state government, and local community are all appropriate.
Portfolio Documentation:
- History reading lists and book reports
- Geography activities (map work, geography notebooks, region studies)
- Civics discussion notes or projects
- Field trip records (historical sites, museums, government buildings)
- Written essays or projects on historical topics
- Timeline activities
Curriculum Options:
- Traditional: Abeka, BJU, Saxon History & Geography
- Literature-based: Sonlight, Mystery of History
- Maryland-focused: Custom curriculum using Maryland history and geography
- Online: Khan Academy, Time4Learning, Outschool
Maryland-Specific Topics to Incorporate:
- Colonial Maryland and founding of Annapolis
- War of 1812 and Fort McHenry (“Star-Spangled Banner”)
- Civil War border state history (Antietam, conflict within families)
- Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman (Eastern Shore)
- Frederick Douglass and Civil Rights connections
- Chesapeake Bay geography and colonial economy
- Naval Academy history and American naval tradition
- Maryland government structure (State House, legislature)
5. Art
What’s Required: Instruction in visual arts. Can be standalone art curriculum or integrated into other subjects (historical art study, nature art, literature illustration).
Portfolio Documentation:
- Samples of student artwork (drawings, paintings, collages, sculptures)
- Photos of 3D projects
- Art appreciation work (studying famous artists, art history)
- Sketchbook pages or art journal entries
- Art curriculum workbook pages
- Mixed media projects
Curriculum Options:
- Standalone: Art classes, art curriculum, homeschool art co-op
- Integrated: Study artists alongside history periods, illustrate literature, create nature art
- Online: Art classes through Outschool, YouTube tutorials, museum websites (Walters Art Museum, Baltimore Museum of Art)
- Free: Museum visits, outdoor sketching, craft-based projects
Note: Art does NOT need to be “good” or technically advanced. Documentation of art instruction and practice is what matters for compliance.
6. Music
What’s Required: Instruction in music. Can include music lessons, singing, music history, or instrument study.
Portfolio Documentation:
- Music lesson records or practice logs (if taking lessons)
- Sheet music or music theory workbooks
- Photos/videos of performances
- Music listening logs (classical composers, music history)
- Songwriting or composition work
- Concert attendance records with reflection notes
Curriculum Options:
- Lessons: Private music instruction (piano, violin, guitar, voice, etc.)
- Group: Co-op music classes, homeschool band or choir
- Curriculum: Music appreciation curriculum, composer study
- Integrated: Combine with history (Baroque period composers, Civil War songs) or literature (musical storytelling)
- Free: YouTube tutorials, library music books, composer study guides
Note: Music doesn’t require instrumental instruction, though it’s valuable. Music appreciation, history, and listening satisfy the requirement.
7. Health
What’s Required: Instruction in health topics. Can include physical health, mental health, nutrition, disease prevention, and safety.
Portfolio Documentation:
- Health curriculum workbook pages
- Notes from health discussions or lessons
- Health-related projects or reports
- Nutritional or wellness tracking activities
- Safety training documentation (CPR, first aid, etc., if applicable)
- Health and wellness reading logs
Curriculum Options:
- Health curricula: Health textbooks from BJU, Abeka, or homeschool publishers
- Integrated: Health unit within science or PE
- Online: Time4Learning health modules, online health courses
- Real-world: CPR/first aid training, nutrition studies, fitness assessments
Topics to Cover:
- Nutrition and healthy eating
- Physical fitness and exercise
- Disease prevention and hygiene
- Mental health and emotional wellness
- Safety and accident prevention
- Substance abuse awareness
- Reproductive health (age-appropriate)
8. Physical Education
What’s Required: Instruction and participation in physical activity. PE can include team sports, individual sports, outdoor activities, fitness training, or movement education.
Portfolio Documentation:
- PE curriculum records (if using formal curriculum)
- Sports team participation documentation
- Activity logs (running, walking, swimming, cycling, etc.)
- Photos/videos of physical activities
- Fitness assessments or progress tracking
- Sports or extracurricular participation records
- Homeschool or co-op PE class attendance
Curriculum Options:
- Team sports: Soccer, basketball, baseball, lacrosse (club or community leagues)
- Individual sports: Swimming, tennis, martial arts, gymnastics
- Group activities: Park & rec programs, homeschool PE co-ops, dance
- Fitness-based: Yoga, fitness tracking, running programs, weight training (age-appropriate)
- Outdoor recreation: Hiking, biking, kayaking, rock climbing
Maryland Advantage: Maryland’s climate and geography support year-round outdoor physical activity. Chesapeake Bay offers swimming, boating, and water sports. Hiking trails and state parks provide accessible outdoor PE.
Portfolio Integration Strategy
Rather than treating all eight subjects separately, consider integration opportunities:
| Combination | How It Works | |—|—| | History + Art | Study historical art movements, illustrate historical events, create period-appropriate art | | Science + Math | Lab work includes measurement, data collection, and problem-solving | | Social Studies + Geography | Combine history, civics, and geography in regional studies | | English + Social Studies | Literature from historical periods, reading about Maryland history | | Music + History | Study composers and music of different eras (especially Civil War songs, “Star-Spangled Banner”) | | Health + PE | Nutrition and fitness studies combined with physical activity participation |
What “Regular and Thorough” Looks Like
In Practice:
- English: Reading several books per year + consistent writing practice (weekly or more)
- Math: Ongoing instruction and practice (3–5 days/week)
- Science: Weekly instruction with some hands-on activities
- Social Studies: Regular reading and discussion (2–3 days/week)
- Art: Monthly projects or ongoing art practice
- Music: Regular listening/study, ideally with some active participation
- Health: Periodic lessons or unit studies on health topics
- PE: Regular physical activity (3–5 times/week)
Does NOT look like:
- Isolated units studied only once per year
- Sporadic or incomplete subject coverage
- Months without documented instruction in a subject
- Portfolio with only one or two work samples per subject
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Common Questions
Q: Can I integrate all eight subjects into one unit study? A: Partial integration is fine, but ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates instruction in all eight subjects. You don’t want the superintendent confused about whether art or music was included.
Q: Do I need separate curricula for each subject? A: No. Many boxed programs (Abeka, BJU, Sonlight) include all eight subjects. Some families mix-and-match. Choose what works for you, as long as all eight are documented.
Q: What if my student has a disability affecting one subject? A: Maryland requires instruction in all eight subjects. Adaptations and accommodations are appropriate and should be documented in your portfolio (showing how you accommodated the student while still providing instruction).
Q: Does the superintendent check whether students mastered the material? A: No. The portfolio review checks that instruction happened in all eight areas—not whether students achieved specific benchmarks. Maryland has no required testing.
Checklist for Portfolio Review
Before your portfolio review:
- [ ] English: Reading lists, writing samples (min 2–3 per quarter)
- [ ] Math: Workbook pages or online records from all quarters
- [ ] Science: Lab work, experiments, or workbook pages
- [ ] Social Studies: History reading, geography activities, civics discussion
- [ ] Art: Photos of 3–4 art projects throughout the year
- [ ] Music: Lesson records, listening logs, or music appreciation work
- [ ] Health: Health lessons or curriculum documentation
- [ ] PE: Activity logs, sports participation records, or fitness documentation
- [ ] Overall: Attendance/instruction log showing year-round engagement
Maryland’s eight-subject requirement is straightforward once you understand that no specific curriculum or mastery benchmark is mandated. Focus on ensuring all eight subjects are represented in your portfolio with evidence of regular, ongoing instruction. That’s what “regular and thorough” means in practice.