Homeschooling in Massachusetts: What Parents Need to Know to Get Started

Massachusetts is a great place to start homeschooling. The state has a long history of supporting home education, and while there are some rules to follow, the process is more manageable than most parents expect. This article will walk you through everything you need to know, whether you're pulling your child out of public schools for the first time or starting fresh with a kindergartner.

Is Homeschooling Legal in Massachusetts?

Homeschooling is fully legal in Massachusetts. The state's legal framework for home education dates back to the 1987 Charles v. School Committee ruling, which established that parents have the right to homeschool their children, provided they get approval from their local superintendent or school committee before beginning.

That approval requirement is the most important thing to understand before you start homeschooling. However, you also need to understand that Massachusetts doesn't operate on a simple notice system. You need to submit an educational plan and wait for written approval before your child can officially begin homeschooling. You can also check out our blog, " How to start homeschooling ," for more information.

Massachusetts Homeschool Laws and Requirements

Before diving into the steps, it helps to know what Massachusetts law actually requires from homeschool families. 

Attendance

Homeschool students must complete a minimum of 900 hours of instruction across 180 days each school year. However, your schedule doesn't have to mirror the public school calendar. You can structure your school year around what works best for your family.

Required Subjects

Massachusetts requires that homeschool students study the following subjects:

• English language and grammar
• Spelling (orthography)
• Math
• Geography
• Physical education
• Music and drawing
• Health (including CPR instruction)
• American history and constitution
• Good behavior 

Record Keeping

While Massachusetts doesn't explicitly mandate record keeping, it does require proof of educational progress at the end of each year. Keeping thorough attendance records, dated work samples, and documentation of courses taken will make the annual evaluation process much smoother.

Curriculum

Parents are free to choose their own homeschool curriculum as long as it covers the required subjects above. There's no single state-mandated program. This gives families a lot of flexibility to find what works best for their kids.

[Image by Lokibaho from Getty Images Signature on Canva]

How to Start Homeschooling in Massachusetts: Step by Step

Step 1: Prepare Your Educational Plan

Every homeschool family in Massachusetts must submit an educational plan to their local school district before instruction begins. This plan should include:

• Your child's name and grade level (or undeclared status)
• Their former public school student ID, if applicable
• Parent name, address, and phone number
• A description of the curriculum and materials you plan to use
• Your chosen evaluation method for end-of-year assessment
• A learning schedule

Step 2: Submit Your Application

How you submit your educational plan depends on your district. For families in Boston, Boston Public Schools (BPS) prefers an online application that includes uploading your educational plan and learning schedule. Other districts may accept a written letter of intent accompanied by the plan, or have their own submission process. You can check directly with your district if you have more questions about their preferred format. 

Step 3: Wait for Your Approval Letter

Families must receive an official approval letter before withdrawing their child from public schools. Don't begin homeschooling until that letter is in hand. Once approved, you have two weeks to complete the withdrawal process, and homeschooling can begin on the date of approval.

Step 4: Begin Homeschooling

Once approved, you're free to start. Homeschooling has its challenges and upsides, as you can read in our blog, " Is homeschooling hard? " If things don't go exactly according to your original education plan, you're allowed to change your methods, books, or curriculum as you learn what works best for your child. Notifying your district when you change curriculum is optional, not required.

[Image by irynakhabliuk on Canva]

Choosing a Homeschool Curriculum in Massachusetts

Massachusetts gives parents significant freedom in curriculum. You can choose your curriculum as long as the required subjects are covered. There are more options available today than ever before, including textbook-based programs, online platforms, unit studies, and interest-led approaches.

One popular choice among homeschool families across the country is the Tuttle Twins Homeschool Hub . The Homeschool Hub is a resource-rich platform built around freedom-based learning. Here's what the hub offers:

Homeschool Bundles

Tuttle Twins homeschool-ready bundles make it straightforward to add structured, values-driven lessons into your daily rhythm. The bundles are organized by age and learning level:

• Toddlers (Ages 6 and Below): Early foundational learning with engaging, age-appropriate toddler books
• Kids (Ages 7–12): Core  children's resources that build knowledge across history, economics , and civics in an accessible format
• Teens (Ages 13 and Up): Deeper, more challenging books for teens designed to prepare older students for real-world thinking

Beyond a structured curriculum, Tuttle Twins also offers a library of storybooks that make big ideas accessible for younger kids. Books like The Tuttle Twins and the Food Truck Fiasco and The Tuttle Twins Learn About the Law introduce foundational legal concepts through relatable characters so a seven-year-old can tell you why a rule that helps one person can potentially hurt another. These stories naturally carry over into dinner table conversations, helping kids connect ideas about fairness, rules, and civic life to the world around them.

Tuttle Twins Academy

For teens specifically, Tuttle Twins Academy is a great option. Designed for students ages 12–18, the Academy features 36 video courses covering economics, civics, history, and critical thinking. The Academy also boasts 30 expert teachers and a 93% retention rate. It's the online academy you can trust to teach your teens ideas that most adults were never taught in traditional school settings.

[Image by FatCamera from Getty Images Signature on Canva]

End-of-Year Assessments

At the close of each school year, Massachusetts homeschool families are required to submit an end-of-year assessment that demonstrates adequate progress. The method you use should match what was approved in your original education plan. 

Massachusetts accepts several evaluation methods:

Standardized Tests

Results from tests such as the MCAS, TerraNova, Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS), and Stanford Achievement Test are widely accepted. These can be administered by a third party or, in some cases, by the homeschooling parent if permitted.

Portfolio of Work Samples

A portfolio is a collection of your child's work from across the school year. This includes writing samples, math assignments, projects, artwork, reading logs, and more. Dated work samples are especially useful here, and many families include a brief narrative summary or reflection written by the student.

Progress Report or Narrative Evaluation

You can write a progress report describing your student's academic development in each subject. The report should focus on the skills developed, the knowledge gained, and the growth observed throughout the year. A solid sample progress report covers each required subject with clear, specific observations rather than general statements.

Certified Teacher Evaluation

A Massachusetts-certified teacher can review your child's work, observe their learning directly, and provide a written evaluation. This is a mutually agreed-upon option between the family and the school district.

Homeschool Support Groups and Associations in Massachusetts

One of the best things about homeschooling in Massachusetts is the strong community of families and organizations already in place. There are three homeschool associations you should know about:

Beyond associations, local co-ops and support groups give homeschool students the chance to learn alongside peers, take field trips together, and participate in group instruction across specific subjects. Most have active Facebook pages or websites. A quick search will help you find a group that fits your family's needs and values.

[Image by Africa images on Canva]

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need Approval Before I Start Homeschooling in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts requires families to submit an educational plan to their local school district and receive an official approval letter before beginning homeschooling. Once approved, you have two weeks to withdraw your child from public school. Allow 7 to 10 business days for your application to be processed.

How Do I Show Educational Progress at the End of the School Year?

Massachusetts accepts several end-of-year evaluation methods, including standardized test results, a portfolio of dated work samples, a parent-written progress report, or a written evaluation from a Massachusetts-certified teacher.

Can My Student Participate in Extracurriculars or High School Events Such as Prom?

Massachusetts doesn't have a statewide law guaranteeing homeschool students access to public school sports or extracurricular activities. However, some individual schools allow homeschoolers to participate in extracurriculars.

Conclusion

Homeschooling in Massachusetts takes some planning upfront, but once your educational plan is approved and your school year is underway, the flexibility is hard to beat. You get to design your child's education around their strengths, your family's schedule, and the values you want to pass on.

If you're looking for curriculum that makes freedom-based learning practical and engaging, the Tuttle Twins Homeschool Hub is a great place to begin. From toddler bundles to the full Tuttle Twins Academy for teens, there's something for every stage of the homeschool journey.