Massachusetts Homeschool Funding
Local approvals, services, and grants.
MA
Funding guide
State programs
Main program
Program name: Independent Home Education (no statewide ESA/voucher)
Admin: Local School Committee/Superintendent (approval required under MA case law)
Typical award
Amount: No statewide stipend ($0). Some districts/colleges may waive fees for part-time or dual-enrollment coursework.
Disbursement: N/A — family-funded; any supports are local (district/campus) and vary.
Who qualifies
- Residency: Massachusetts resident; child subject to compulsory attendance (ages 6–16).
- Age/grade: K–12 equivalent instruction at home; parent/guardian serves as instructor or arranges instructors.
- Other: Written education plan submitted to and approved by local district; provide periodic assessment as agreed (test/portfolio/other).
Timeline
- Application opens: Local — submit Notice of Intent & education plan before starting each school year.
- Deadline: No single statewide date; districts typically ask for summer (Jul–Aug) or prior to withdrawal.
- Fund availability: N/A. For dual-enrollment, follow campus fall/spring deadlines.
Overview
Massachusetts does not offer a statewide education savings account (ESA) or voucher for homeschooling. Instead, home education is authorized locally: families submit a plan to the local superintendent/school committee and provide “equivalent instruction” at home. Funding is primarily out-of-pocket, though some supports exist at the local level (e.g., part-time public-school classes, access to extracurriculars at district discretion, and college dual-enrollment opportunities that may reduce or cover tuition/fees). Key court decisions (commonly called Charles and Brunelle) outline what districts may require and how families demonstrate progress.
Programs
Independent Home Education (local approval)
- Type: Parent-directed home education (no statewide funds)
- Award: —
- Uses: Family chooses curriculum, tutors, online courses, co-ops
- Admin: Local School Committee/Superintendent (approval & assessment terms)
Part-time public school access (district option)
- Type: District policy
- Award: No tuition for public classes; families may pay course/lab fees; access varies by district
- Uses: Individual classes (e.g., labs, world languages), select extracurriculars/activities
- Admin: Local district/school; athletics governed by district policy and MIAA eligibility rules
Dual Enrollment / Early College (campus-run)
- Type: College dual-enrollment
- Award: Tuition/fee reductions or waivers vary by campus; books/fees often out-of-pocket
- Uses: Take college courses for credit while homeschooling
- Admin: Individual public colleges (policies & seats vary)
Special education evaluation & services (limited)
- Type: Child-find evaluation; services at district discretion if not enrolled
- Award: Evaluations at no cost; services are not guaranteed for non-enrolled homeschoolers
- Uses: Evaluation/consultation; possible services via service plan or part-time enrollment
- Admin: Local district special education office
Eligibility
- Residency: Student resides in a Massachusetts district.
- Age/grade: Children ages 6–16 must satisfy compulsory attendance via approved home education or school enrollment.
- Prior enrollment: Not required if beginning with home education; if withdrawing, obtain approval before removing from school.
- Education plan: Outline subjects, instructional resources, and schedule; provide assessment method (e.g., standardized test, portfolio, progress report).
- Parent qualifications: No specific credential required under case law; district may consider the plan’s adequacy.
How to apply
- Draft your homeschool education plan (subjects, materials, schedule, assessment).
- File a Notice of Intent (NOI) with your local superintendent/school committee before instruction begins each year.
- Await written approval (districts should respond in a reasonable time); keep copies for your records.
- Provide the agreed assessment at year’s end (test results, portfolio, or report) as specified in your approval.
Covered expenses
- No statewide ESA: Families pay for curriculum, textbooks, and tutors.
- Part-time public-school classes may be tuition-free; course/lab fees may apply.
- Dual-enrollment tuition/fees depend on the college; some waive or discount for eligible students.
- Testing for assessments is family-selected unless otherwise agreed.
- Special-education evaluations are at no cost; services for non-enrolled students vary by district.
- Curriculum & textbooks (parent-purchased)
- Tutoring/instruction (private providers, co-ops)
- Educational software & online courses
- Course/lab/exam fees for public-school or college classes
- Transportation & field trips (local discretion)
Deadlines
| Milestone | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Submit NOI & plan | Before instruction begins | Most families file in summer (Jul–Aug); follow local instructions. |
| Approval response | Varies by district | District should act within a reasonable period. |
| Year-end assessment | End of school year | As specified in approval (test/portfolio/report). |
| Dual-enrollment | Campus calendars | Fall/spring deadlines; seats/policies vary by college. |
Docs & forms
Official sources
FAQs
Does Massachusetts offer an ESA or voucher for homeschoolers?
No. There is no statewide ESA/voucher for home education. Families fund their programs; some districts/colleges offer limited supports (e.g., part-time classes, dual enrollment) subject to local/campus policy.
Do I need approval before I start homeschooling?
Yes. File a Notice of Intent and education plan with your local district and obtain approval before beginning instruction each year.
Can my homeschooled student take public-school classes or play sports?
Possibly. Access to individual courses and extracurriculars is a district decision. Athletics eligibility follows district policy and MIAA rules; contact your school’s athletic director.
Are special-education services available if we homeschool?
Districts must evaluate suspected disabilities upon referral. Services for students not enrolled in public school are limited and not guaranteed; options may include service plans or part-time enrollment.
What counts as “assessment” at year’s end?
Districts typically accept a standardized test, portfolio review, or progress report consistent with your approved plan. Confirm expectations with your local approval letter.
Contacts
Local district (primary)
Send your Notice of Intent and education plan to your local superintendent/school committee. Check your district website for email/postal details.
Massachusetts DESE
DESE website
Phone: 781-338-3000
Law & regulations
- M.G.L. c.76 §1 — Compulsory attendance (ages 6–16) satisfied by approved home education.
- Care & Protection of Charles (1987) — District may require plan/assessment to ensure “equivalent instruction.”
- Brunelle v. Lynn Public Schools (1998) — Home visits cannot be required as a condition of approval without consent.