How to start homeschooling in Massachusetts

Everything you need to legally begin homeschooling in Massachusetts, broken into clear steps. Plan to spend about an hour completing the paperwork before your first day.

The short version

Massachusetts requires district pre-approval of your homeschool plan annually. Most families negotiate plans with their local superintendent.

The full process, step by step

Step 1

Contact your local superintendent's office to obtain district-specific homeschool guidelines.

Step 2

Prepare a detailed plan covering subjects, hours, materials, and evaluation method.

Step 3

Submit the plan for approval before starting.

Step 4

Submit a withdrawal letter to your child's public school if applicable.

Step 5

Track 900–990 hours of instruction and complete the agreed-on annual evaluation.

Things that help on day one

A binder, folder, or app to keep paperwork in one place.
Your child's most recent report card or academic records.
A simple weekly rhythm sketched out — even one bullet list of subjects per day.
A camera or phone for documenting the first weeks of moments.
A list of any homeschool co-ops, libraries, or community groups in your area.

Disclaimer: This guide summarises commonly known Massachusetts homeschool requirements. Laws change. For official, up-to-date legal guidance, consult the HSLDA state guide or your state Department of Education before submitting paperwork.

Read the full Massachusetts homeschool law summary →

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