Parental Instruction

Answers to most parent questions can be found on this webpage (in the resources section below), in the comprehensive short videos (listed in the column to the right), in the Orientation Handout, and in the MSDE Frequently Asked Questions document.

Home schooling regulations are governed by Maryland State Board of Education and are mandatory for school age children 5-18 years old (age 5 on or before September 1st). The purpose of these regulations is to establish a procedure to be used to determine if a child participating in a home schooling program is receiving regular, thorough instruction during the school year in the studies usually taught in the public schools to children of the same age.

A parent or guardian who chooses to teach a child at home must initially complete a Home Instruction Notification Form. The form must be submitted to the address on the Home Instruction Notification Form at least 15 days before the beginning of a home schooling program. Each year thereafter, a parent or guardian needs to verify the continuation of home schooling and notify the Department of Student Services or their supervising nonpublic institution if there is a change of status during the school year.

The home schooling program must be under the supervision of either the student’s local school system or a nonpublic entity that is registered with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). A home schooling program under the supervision of Calvert County Public Schools will be reviewed by CCPS staff at the end of each semester in January and June (see Portfolio Reviews). The program shall include instruction in English, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education. The Maryland State Curriculum may be found on the MSDE website. A home schooling program under the supervision of a nonpublic entity registered with MSDE will not be reviewed by CCPS.