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Massachusetts Homeschool Requirements: What You Actually Need to Do
Massachusetts homeschool requirements are straightforward once you understand the framework. The core requirement is prior approval. After that, you need to document hours, provide assessment, and cover required subjects.
This post strips away the confusion and tells you exactly what you must do—and why it matters.
Key Takeaways
- Prior approval required before starting (submit education plan to superintendent)
- 180 days of instruction per year (approximately 900 hours)
- Annual assessment required (standardized testing OR portfolio agreed upon with district)
- Must cover required subjects (reading, writing, math, science, history, PE, and others)
- Keep documentation of hours, curriculum, and assessment results
- No teaching degree required; no curriculum pre-approval required
Requirement #1: Prior Approval
This is the big one. You must obtain written approval from your school superintendent or school committee before beginning homeschool.
Prior approval is not the same as notification. Simply telling your district you’re homeschooling is insufficient. You must:
- Contact your superintendent’s office
- Ask for their homeschool approval procedures
- Request any required forms
- Prepare an education plan
- Submit it and wait for written approval
- Begin instruction only after approval arrives
includes a template and detailed instructions for the approval submission.
What to Include in Your Education Plan
Your education plan should outline:
- Subjects: All required subjects plus any electives
- Materials: Textbooks, curriculum programs, online resources, library materials
- Schedule: Days per week, hours per day, start/end dates
- Assessment method: How you’ll demonstrate progress
- Your qualifications: Education background, teaching experience (though not required)
- Special needs: If applicable, how you’ll address them
Districts vary in specificity required. Some accept one-page plans; others want detailed curriculum maps. Call ahead and ask what level of detail they expect.
Timeline for Approval
Expect 1-4 weeks for approval. Best practice:
- Submit in late July or early August before school year
- Allow 2-3 weeks for review
- Follow up in writing if you don’t hear back within that timeframe
- Do not start until you have written approval
Requirement #2: 180 Days/900 Hours of Instruction
Massachusetts law requires minimum 180 days of instruction per year and minimum 900 hours of instruction per year.
This is a legal baseline, not a cap. Most families naturally meet or exceed this with regular instruction.
How to Calculate
- 180 days ÷ 12 months = 15 days per month
- 900 hours ÷ 180 days = 5 hours per day
- Or: 900 hours ÷ 12 months = 75 hours per month
Simple tracking method:
- Keep an instruction log with dates and hours
- Track subjects covered each day
- At year-end, tally total days and hours
- Maintain records for at least 3 years
You’re not required to keep daily logs by law, but they’re your proof of meeting this requirement and are worth maintaining.
What Counts as Instruction Time
- Structured lessons, lectures, independent study
- Lab work, experiments, projects
- Supervised reading and writing
- Educational field trips (if part of formal instruction)
What does NOT count:
- Screen time without structured learning objectives
- Play time or sports
- Unstructured free time
- Meals and breaks
Requirement #3: Annual Assessment
You must demonstrate “proof of educational progress” annually. Assessment method must be mutually agreed upon with your school committee.
Assessment Options
Standardized testing:
- Iowa Assessments
- Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10)
- California Achievement Test (CAT)
- Peabody Individual Achievement Test (PIAT)
- Woodcock-Johnson tests
- Cost: $25-$75 per subject typically
Alternative assessment:
- Portfolio with dated work samples (essays, math problems, projects)
- Progress reports with documented examples
- Evaluation by qualified educator or tutor
- Any method mutually agreed upon in writing
Most Massachusetts families choose either standardized testing or portfolio review. Both are widely accepted and respected.
Annual Assessment Timeline
- Must be administered/completed by end of school year
- Results submitted to superintendent by June 30 or as district specifies
- Districts vary on deadline; ask when you submit your education plan
Massachusetts homeschool testing covers testing logistics and alternatives in detail.
Requirement #4: Required Subjects
Massachusetts requires instruction in these subjects:
- Reading
- Writing
- English language and grammar
- Geography
- Arithmetic (Mathematics)
- Drawing
- Music
- United States history and the Constitution
- Duties of citizenship
- Health (including physical/emotional health, nutrition, CPR)
- Physical education
- Good behavior
- Science
You don’t need separate courses for each. Integration is standard:
- History + science = combined social studies/science unit
- Reading + writing = integrated language arts
- Constitution + citizenship = civics
- Drawing + music = arts
Your education plan should simply demonstrate that you’ll address these areas. How you combine or sequence them is your choice.
Requirement #5: Withdrawal from Public School
If your child is currently enrolled in public school, you must formally withdraw in writing before starting homeschool.
Your withdrawal letter should include:
- Child’s full name and grade level
- Effective date of withdrawal
- Statement that you’re withdrawing for homeschool
- Request for copies of school records
Keep a copy of the letter. You don’t need the district’s permission to withdraw; the letter simply notifies them.
Massachusetts homeschool withdrawal letter includes templates.
Requirement #6: Record-Keeping
Keep these records:
- Education plan and written approval from district
- Instruction log: Dates, hours, subjects covered (even if not required by law, it proves compliance)
- Curriculum used: Titles of textbooks, programs, materials
- Assessment results: Test scores, portfolio samples, evaluation reports
- Correspondence with school district
Maintain records for at least 3-5 years. They’re your documentation of compliance and are valuable if:
- Your child returns to public school
- You need to prove educational continuity for employment or residency verification
- Disputes arise with the school district
- College or other institutions request evidence of homeschooling
What’s NOT Required
Massachusetts does not require:
- Teaching degree or certification
- Pre-approval of curriculum
- Specific textbooks or programs
- Minimum grade-level standards
- Parent educational background
- Homeschool registration with state
- Home visits or inspections
- Enrollment in approved program or co-op
- Tutor reports (though tutors can provide evaluation)
District Variation
Each school committee interprets and applies these requirements differently. Your experience depends on your district’s policies. Before submitting:
- Call your superintendent’s office
- Ask in writing: “What are your homeschool approval requirements?”
- Request copies of any forms or guidelines
- Ask about their assessment preferences
- Clarify deadlines and renewal processes
This upfront communication prevents surprises and speeds approval.
Summary
To homeschool legally in Massachusetts:
- Obtain written prior approval from superintendent/school committee
- Maintain 180 days/900 hours of instruction annually
- Provide annual assessment (standardized testing or agreed alternative)
- Cover all required subjects
- Keep basic records
- Withdraw formally from public school if applicable
These requirements are substantial but manageable. The approval requirement is real—don’t skip it. But once approved, you have broad freedom in how you structure, teach, and assess.
Ready to start? covers the approval process, and How to start homeschooling in massachusetts walks through your entire first year.