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2026 State Guide
Homeschooling in Massachusetts: Requirements & Rules
Homeschooling is legal in Massachusetts, and families face substantial notification, instruction, and assessment requirements. Here’s everything you need to stay compliant, in plain English.
- Regulation level
- High
- Notification
- Annual notice
- Instruction time
- No state mandate
- Required subjects
- 11 subjects
- Assessment
- Required
- Recordkeeping
- Required
- Compulsory ages
- 6–16
Notification
Massachusetts requires annual notice, due annual; before beginning homeschool in some districts.
Submit an education plan to the local school committee for approval annually. Some districts require approval before starting.
Instruction time
Massachusetts sets no statewide requirement for days or hours of instruction.
No statutory day/hour mandate — Massachusetts is approval-based; the 180-day / 900–990-hour figures are public-school benchmarks families may voluntarily reference.
Required subjects
- Reading
- Writing
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social studies
- History
- Health
- Physical education
- Music
- Art
Must cover: reading, writing, English language, math, science and technology, history and social science, health, PE, and arts.
Assessment & testing
Massachusetts requires periodic assessment of homeschooled students.
Annual assessment required — may be standardized test, portfolio review, or progress review with a certified teacher.
Recordkeeping
Massachusetts requires homeschool families to maintain records.
Must maintain records for annual review.
Parent qualifications
None specified, but curriculum plan subject to approval.
Good to know
Massachusetts is one of the most heavily regulated states. The approval process varies significantly by district. Some districts are cooperative; others are not.
Track Massachusetts’s requirements automatically
Homeschool Wizard logs your school days, hours, and subjects against Massachusetts’s rules — and turns them into portfolio PDFs, transcripts, and report cards when you need them. Free for one student.
Private by design: your family’s records stay on your device.
Frequently asked questions
Is homeschooling legal in Massachusetts?
Yes — homeschooling is legal in all 50 states. In Massachusetts, families face substantial notification, instruction, and assessment requirements. Children ages 6–16 fall under compulsory education law.
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Massachusetts?
Yes. Massachusetts requires annual notice — annual; before beginning homeschool in some districts. Submit an education plan to the local school committee for approval annually. Some districts require approval before starting.
How many days or hours of instruction does Massachusetts require?
Massachusetts sets no statewide day or hour mandate for homeschoolers. No statutory day/hour mandate — Massachusetts is approval-based; the 180-day / 900–990-hour figures are public-school benchmarks families may voluntarily reference.
What subjects are required in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts requires: Reading, Writing, English, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, History, Health, Physical education, Music, Art. Must cover: reading, writing, English language, math, science and technology, history and social science, health, PE, and arts.
Is testing or assessment required for homeschoolers in Massachusetts?
Yes — Massachusetts has an assessment requirement. Annual assessment required — may be standardized test, portfolio review, or progress review with a certified teacher.
What records do homeschoolers need to keep in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts requires families to keep homeschool records. Must maintain records for annual review.
Official sources
Verify current requirements with the Massachusetts Department of Education and HSLDA’s Massachusetts page.
Not legal advice. This data is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Homeschool laws change frequently. Always verify requirements with your state's Department of Education or a qualified homeschool legal organization before making compliance decisions. Requirements shown were last verified 2026-09.