Catholic Homeschooling in Maryland & DC
How to Homeschool in Maryland & DC
There are four options for complying with the homeschool law in Maryland:
1. Portfolio option
2. Church umbrella option
3. Church-exempt school umbrella option
4. State-approved school umbrella option
Compulsory school ages are 5 to 18 years of age. There is notification required, but no required teacher qualifications. Maryland has state-mandated subjects that must be taught. There are no assessment or vaccination requirements.
Maryland Department of Education Home School Information
The compulsory attendance law states that each child who resides in Maryland and is 5 years old or older and under 18 shall attend a public school regularly during the entire school year. There are exceptions for homeschooling. A child is exempt from the law if he or she “is receiving regular, thorough instruction during the school year in the studies usually taught in the public schools to children of the same age.” Maryland recognizes home instruction as a means for children to receive regular, thorough instruction. A child is also exempt from the law if he or she “has completed” a home instruction program as determined by the parent or guardian and verified by the local education agency or supervising entity.
How to Comply with Maryland’s Homeschool Law
How to Withdraw Your Child from School in Maryland
Special Education Provisions for Maryland
The Importance of Recordkeeping in Maryland
Lobbying & Advocacy Organizations
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
HSLDA is the nation’s largest homeschool advocacy organization. They protect the rights of homeschoolers in court, advocate for homeschool freedom in state legislatures, and work to advance homeschooling in the public arena.
MarylandARCH – Maryland Catholic Homeschoolers
MarylandARCH is state-wide advocacy resource for Catholic homeschooling families in and around Maryland, which includes Catholic homeschooling families in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Archdiocese of Washington (D.C.) and the Diocese of Wilmington. MarylandARCH strives to bring together information for all Catholic homeschoolers from across the state to share with each other homeschooling news and events, support groups, resources, and especially that which pertains to Catholic homeschoolers. MarylandARCH is a resource site for those to turn to when trying to find out about Catholic homeschooling in Maryland.
Maryland Home Education Association (MHEA)
MHEA serves to support homeschooling families in Maryland. They monitor developments in the State Department of Education and the Maryland legislature for any issues that could affect homeschoolers.
Catholic Homeschool Support Groups
AARCH
Anne Arundel County, MD
AARCH is a network to post and find activities for Roman Catholic homeschooling families in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and the surrounding vicinity. They offer religious activities, field trips, educational activities, community service, and social events, as well as share information from the community at large that may benefit homeschoolers.
Cantonsville-Howard County Roman Catholic Homeschoolers (CHRCH)
Cantonsville and Howard Counties, VA
This is a group of local Catholic homeschooling families interested in getting together for support, field trips, clubs, Mass, celebration of the saints, and other fun activities.
Catholic Homeschoolers of Northeast
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland
This group connects Catholic homeschoolers from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. They share resources, advice, and support.
Lumen Christi TORCH of Northeastern Maryland
Harford and Cecil counties, Baltimore, Aberdeen, Bel Air, Elkton, Havre de Grace
This group aids individuals and families in their homeschooling. They offer fellowship and activities, including parent’s night out, annual promotion ceremony, geography and spelling bees, liturgical celebrations, monthly meetings, field trips, curriculum nights, and more.
Maryland Catholic Homeschoolers – MarylandARCH
Baltimore, DC, Wilmington
MarylandARCH is state-wide advocacy resource for Catholic homeschooling families in and around Maryland, which includes Catholic homeschooling families in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Archdiocese of Washington (D.C.) and the Diocese of Wilmington. MarylandARCH strives to bring together information for all Catholic homeschoolers from across the state to share with each other homeschooling news and events, support groups, resources, and especially that which pertains to Catholic homeschoolers. MarylandARCH is a resource site for those to turn to when trying to find out about Catholic homeschooling in Maryland. MarylandARCH in of itself is not a local support group, it is a resource organization.
Montgomery TORCH
Montgomery County, Maryland
This group serves home educating families in and around Montgomery County, MD. They offer information and support and plan events and activities for kids and families.
St. Patrick Maryland Homeschoolers
Rockville, MD
This is a homeschool group for parishioners of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Rockville, MD who are homeschooling their children. They offer support, friendship, and activities.
Catholic Homeschool Co-ops
Ascension Homeschool Co-op
Bowie, MD
This is a Catholic homeschooling co-op that meets Friday afternoons during the school year at Ascension Catholic Church in Bowie, MD.
Classically Catholic Memory Co-op
Gaithersburg and Rockville, MD
Classically Catholic Memory is a memory work program that is both Catholic and classical in nature. It is designed for children ages 5 through 12, and each year of the program provides 18 weeks of memory work in each subject. CCM is run as a co-op model.
St. Ignatius Hickory Homeschool Co-op
Forest Hill, MD and Cecil, Harford, Baltimore Counties, MD
This Catholic homeschool co-op meets weekly for enrichment classes at St. Ignatius Parish. Students are in grades PreK through high school. They also offer field trips and social activities outside of class time.
The Saint Philomena Apostolate
Baltimore, MD
The Saint Philomena Apostolate is a homeschool tutorial, choir, and thespian troupe. This 2-day-a-week cooperative program serves students in grades PreK through 12. The tutorial uses curriculum from Seton Home Study School. They offer intellectual, cultural, and artistic formation in an authentically Catholic environment.
Do you know of any Catholic homeschool co-ops near you? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Hybrid Programs & Homeschool Academies
Catholic Schoolhouse
Harford County, North Beach, Towson, MD
Catholic Schoolhouse is a supplemental program designed to help homeschool families enrich their educational experience through a flexible approach to learning inspired by classical elements presented in a structure environment. They serve students in grades K-8 and meet once a week during the school year.
Regina Caeli Baltimore
Baltimore, MD
This homeschool hybrid program offers Pre-K through 12th grade students an accredited curriculum and support from parents with learning at home. Classes are held on Mondays and Thursdays, while students continue their studies at home during the rest of the week. The curriculum emphasizes the Socratic method and learning in core subjects such as reading, writing, math, Latin, music, debate, visual arts, and other enriching courses. Students can also participate in a variety of extracurricular activities and go on field trips to further enhance their educational experience.
St. Thomas Aquinas Tutorial (STAT)
Millersville, Anne Arundel County, MD
St. Thomas Aquinas Tutorial (STAT) is a Catholic classical education homeschool tutorial program. They meet twice weekly at Our Lady of the Fields, a Roman Catholic Church in Millersville, MD and offer classes for grades two through eight. There are also extracurricular activities including field trips, middle school social events, Lego club, and more.
The Saint Philomena Apostolate
Baltimore, MD
The Saint Philomena Apostolate is a homeschool tutorial, choir, and thespian troupe. This 2-day-a-week cooperative program serves students in grades PreK through 12. The tutorial uses curriculum from Seton Home Study School. They offer intellectual, cultural, and artistic formation in an authentically Catholic environment.
Do you know of any Catholic hybrid homeschool programs or homeschool academies near you? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Catholic Homeschool Conferences
The 2024 Catholic Homeschool Conference
Virtual Conference
June 7-8, 2024
Long Island Homeschool Conference
St. Roccos Pl, Glen Cove, NY
2024 Date TBD
This is the first annual Long Island Homeschool Conference for Catholic families. Listen to speakers, hear special panels, browse the vendors, and find new homeschool materials and curriculum at the book swap! Featured speakers include Alice Gunther, Annabelle Moseley, Jessica Schaefer, and Margaret Gallipeau.
Local Classes & Programs for Homeschoolers
Do you know of any great local classes or programs for Catholic homeschoolers? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Sports for Homeschoolers
Public School Access for Homeschoolers in Maryland
Homeschool students are not eligible to participate in public school sports programs in Maryland. Private schools may include homeschool athletes without losing eligibility.
Do you know of any great sports programs for Catholic homeschoolers? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Shrines & Pilgrimages in Maryland &DC
National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
Emmitsburg, MD
The National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is located in Emmitsburg, Maryland. It houses the Basilica, a museum, visitors center, along with St. Elizabeth Ann’s original Stone House and White House, the Daughters of Charity residences, archives, cemeteries, and a villa. You can view artifacts, personal writings, digital interactive exhibits, and enjoy hands-on activities for all ages.
Do you know of any Catholic pilgrimage sites or shrines that would be perfect for a homeschool field trip? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Field Trips in Maryland & DC
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