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Home Schooling

The Home Instruction Program is an alternative to public school enrollment when the parent/guardian provides a child with regular, thorough instruction during the school year in the studies usually taught in the public schools to children of the same age.

NOTIFICATION

A parent/guardian who chooses to teach a child at home must complete a Home Schooling Notification form, obtained directly for the Department of Student Services.  This form must be submitted to the Department of Student Services at least fifteen (15) calendar days before beginning the program.  The parent/guardian must indicate on the notification whether the homeschooling program will be supervised by WCPS or by a nonpublic entity registered to supervise homeschooling of Maryland students. 

For a list of non-public entities supervising homeschooling, click the link to the right.

PROGRAM REVIEW

  • The parent/guardian must maintain a portfolio of relevant instructional plans, reading materials and sufficient examples of the child’s schoolwork to document the use of appropriate curriculum and demonstrate student progress.
  • Individual homeschooling programs are reviewed bi-annually by WCPS (January and May).  A meeting is scheduled and the student’s portfolio is reviewed and discussed to ensure that age-appropriate, regular, thorough instruction is taking place.
  • The parent/guardian may request on the Home Schooling Notification form that the child participate in the regularly scheduled standardized testing program at his/her WCPS school. The parent must contact the school counseling office at the appropriate WCPS school in the child’s attendance area to schedule the testing.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

  • The parent/guardian must be the primary instructor according to Maryland law and regulation
  • Students homeschooling are not authorized to participate in academic instruction or activities in the public schools other than the standardized testing program.
  • It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to obtain curriculum, books and other instructional materials.
  • High school students who have participated in homeschooling for at least one school year and wish to re-enroll in WCPS, may apply for Review for Credit.  The student should initiate enrollment at the school counseling office of the home school.  Awarding of credit and course placement will be determined through a process of testing and interviews, facilitated by the WCPS Department of Instruction and the school counseling office.
  • Students are not entitled to receive special education services from WCPS.  However, a parent/guardian may call the Department of Special Education if he/she believes his/her child may be eligible for special education services. Under the requirements of Child Find, WCPS will identify, locate and evaluate those students who may be eligible for special education services.

For additional information, contact the Homeschooling Program Facilitator at 301-766-2897.