Do I have to live in Maryland to be in the Forum?

No! Anyone can join the forum.

What is an Umbrella School?

An umbrella school operates as a legal covering for your homeschool. We keep all records and provide legal transcripts.

What is a Portfolio Review?

A portfolio review is an end of the year meeting between you and your umbrella school. The parent provides samples of instructional materials, reading materials, and examples of your child's school work. Schedule your portfolio review

What are the Heritage Academy's high school graduation requirements?

In order to graduate from the Heritage Academy, your high school student must complete the following credits required by the state of Maryland and the Heritage Academy:

• Bible/Christian Service - 3 Credits
• English (Ex: Literature, Grammar, Composition, Speech) - 4 Credits
• Math (Ex: Algebra, Consumer Math, Geometry, etc) - 3 Credits
• Science (Ex: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental) - 3 Credits
• Social Studies (Must include one U.S. History credit) - 3 Credits
• Physical Education/Health - 1 Credit
• Electives - 4 Credits

How does an Umbrella School differ from a public/private school?

Umbrella schools do not operate as a traditional school. Umbrella schools are meant for homeschoolers and do not provide classes or learning materials for students to earn credits.

What are the benefits of joining an Umbrella School?

Why you should join an Umbrella School:

• Umbrella schools keep all of your students' records and high school transcripts.
• Parents are free to choose the curriculums your child learns from.
• Most umbrella schools provide a graduation ceremony for homeschoolers.
• Your child can learn at their own pace.
• You do not have to answer to the county.
• A Strong sense of community with a lot of encouragement.

Do I need to live in the state of Maryland to be under the Heritage Academy Umbrella School?

Yes, you are required to have a Maryland state address. We cannot legally provide services for those outside the state of Maryland.

How do I legally start homeschooling in Maryland?

In order to legally homeschool in the state of Maryland, parents must file a Notice of Intent to Homeschool form with their county homeschool liaison. The Notice of Intent form, required by COMAR, must be filed 15 days before beginning to homeschool. This form neither requests state or local approval nor permission for a family to educate their child at home. The form simply notifies that school district of a family’s choice to homeschool.

You may file your Notice of Intent form any time of year. However, should you wish to start homeschooling with the beginning of a new school year, you should file the form by mid-August.

1. File a Notice of Consent form with your superintendent. This form may also be called the Maryland State Home School Notification Form. Your child could be considered truant if you do not withdraw him or her from their school without immediately filing this form.
2. Required Subjects: Math, English, Social Studies, Science, Art, Music, Health and Physical Education.
3. Provide the Required Instruction: You must provide regular, thorough instruction in the required above subjects. The law does not state a certain amount of hours per day, but rather states “of sufficient duration.”
4. Maintain a Portfolio - You must maintain a portfolio of your educational materials. This should include instructional materials, reading materials, and examples of your child’s schoolwork.

What are the legal requirements for homeschooling in Maryland?

What is the compulsory school age in Maryland?

Maryland law requires that all children between the ages of 5 and 18, who live in Maryland to attend school.

Read the Law: Md. Code, Education § 7–301

Does my child have to attend Kindergarten?

Yes! Every child must attend kindergarten before entering the first grade.

Exemption: A child may be exempted from kindergarten if attending a full-time licensed child care center, a full-time registered family child care center, or a part-time Head Start five year old program. The parent or guardian must file a written request with the local school system and verify that the child is enrolled.

Delay: Kindergarten may be delayed for 1 year if the child’s parent or guardian files a written request with the local school system asking for a delay due to the child’s level of maturity.

Read the Law: Md. Code, Education § 7–301

My child is handicap, are they required to attend school?

Yes! A child who has a mental, emotional, or physical handicap must attend school UNLESS the child's condition makes attending school harmful to the child’s development or if the child may cause serious physical harm to others. School officials, with the written recommendation of a licensed doctor or a State Department of Education certified or licensed psychologist, may provide other free education or permit the child to be withdrawn from school as long as the above conditions exist. If a child is withdrawn from school, the county board must make provisions for the education of the child. Read the Law: Md. Code, Education § 7–301

Are there any exceptions to school attendance?

Every child under 18 years of age must attend school unless the child:

• has a high school diploma or GED;
• has a disability and has completed requirements for a Maryland high school certificate of completion;
• is receiving regular, thorough instruction during the school year in the studies usually taught in the public schools to children of the same age (homeschool, nonpublic school);
• has completed receiving regular, thorough instruction during the school year in the studies usually taught in the public schools to children of the same age;
• is severely ill and requires home or hospital instruction;
• is married;
• is in military service;
• is committed by court order to an institution without an educational program;
• provides financial support to the child’s family as documented by a local department of social services;
• has been expelled
• is pregnant or a parent and is enrolled in an alternative educational program;
• attends an alternative educational program;
• attends a public school on a part–time basis and attends a private career school, with guardian and school official consent; or
• received a waiver by the State Superintendent.

How long does my child need to attend school each year?

Schools are required by law to be open for at least three hours each school day, for at least 180 days school days, and for at least 1,080 school hours during a 10-month period in each school year.

The local board of education will set the start and end dates for public schools in the county. Check your school system's website for calendars and more information.

Read the law: Md. Code, Education § 7-103

How do I withdraw my child from public school in the state of Maryland?

If your child is currently in school you must formally withdraw them from that school. You must complete a Notice of Consent and notify your local school system. Call the school your child currently attends to find out where to send the Notice of Consent form.

Must we participate in testing?

No. Parents may elect to have their homeschool children participate in Maryland state assessment administered to the public school students. These standardized tests are aligned to Maryland’s state curriculum. Should your children participate in this testing, their scores will be shared with the local school principal where your child took the test. Parents may decline to have their child participate in this testing.