Massachusetts Homeschooling Requirements
Enlightium Academy is an approved private Christian school that is accredited by Cognia and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) that has served homeschool, online, and co-op school students in K-12 since 2003. As K-12 education policies are different in each state, it is a parental responsibility to check on their state’s homeschool requirements and fulfill them as applicable. To assist parents with this process, Enlightium provides basic information about each state’s requirements. Parents are also encouraged to review their state’s requirements at hslda.org/legal and/or the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, as educational policies are subject to change over time.
Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states and Washington D.C.; however, with a freedom to educational opportunities comes a responsibility to understand and fulfill legal requirements. This can be worrisome, yet you’re not alone in this endeavor. Enlightium Academy is here to help!
Please note that the resources below serve as a starting point for your family; it is important that you research Massachusetts homeschooling requirements.
Massachusetts’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance
|
Does the parent need to notify the state? |
Yes |
|
Academic Calendar Requirement |
No |
|
Reporting Age Requirement |
6 |
|
Instructor Qualifications |
No |
|
Subjects Required |
Yes |
|
Standardardized Assessment |
No |
|
Immunization Requirement |
No |
|
Keep a Portfolio |
Yes |
|
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Massachusetts Families |
Yes |
Notifying the State
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires homeschooling families to annually submit a notice of intent to the school district. The intent can be provided at the start of the year in writing.
Topics that may need to be noted in the notice of intent include, but are not limited to:
- The curriculum used
- Grades PreK-2 use a book-based curriculum
- Grades 3-12 use an online text-based curriculum
- Samples of the curriculum
- Number of hours of instruction
- Enlightium’s school calendar has 180 school days (210 days with summer school). Additionally, students have access to the courses 24/7 for most days of the school year, including weekends and holidays.
- Instructor competency; see “Instructor Qualifications” below for details
Age Requirement
Ages five or younger:
Students are not required to attend school, but can enroll in primary school at Enlightium Academy to have a head start and be ready for Kindergarten.
Aged six on or before December 31:
They must attend school during that academic year; this includes homeschooling with Enlightium Academy. Students must continue their education at a school of their parents’ choice until at least the academic year in which they turn 16 years old or graduate.
Instructor Qualifications
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does not require homeschool students to have teachers with specific credentials or qualifications.
As a part of Enlightium Academy’s dual accreditation, Enlightium teachers are state and/or ACSI certified. A number of our faculty members have Masters and Doctorate degrees in their fields. The teacher-led support packages are available for students in grades 3-12. Learn more at our Teachers page.
Enlightium Academy also offers parent-led options for grades PreK-2 and for students in grades 3-10 Bronze support package. Under the parent-led option, parents act as teachers while Enlightium Academy provides grading and guidance support.
Required Subjects
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires the following subjects but does not state during which grades they need to be taken:
- Reading/Spelling/Writing/English Language and Grammar
- Language arts
- Arithmetic
- Geography/United States History and Constitution/Duties of Citizenship
- Drawing
- Music
- Health (including CPR)
- Physical Education
The first four bullet points are core courses at Enlightium Academy and should be assigned by your student’s counselor. The latter four bullet points are electives available at Enlightium Academy.
Standardized Assessment
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education may not require a standardized test for homeschooled students; see “Progress Reports” below. However, Enlightium provides multiple assessment options to help you see how your student is progressing per given grade level:
- Grades PreK-2: IXL diagnostic assessments; you can also opt out of an assessment
- Grades 3-8: IXL diagnostic assessments or Iowa Complete Annual Assessment; you can also opt out of an assessment
- Grades 9-12: Guidance for college-preparatory assessments such as the PSAT, SAT and/or ACT
It is recommended for Enlightium students in Massachusetts to take the IXL diagnostic assessment or the Iowa Complete Annual Assessment.
Progress Reports
A local superintendent or school committee may require homeschooling families to provide one of the following:
- Standardized assessments test scores
- Progress reports
- Dated work samples
If requested, the simplest option would be for your family to provide progress reports, which Enlightium provides most Tuesdays of the school year via email.
Keep a Portfolio
You may need to provide your state with additional information, so please keep a digital record every year you are enrolled at Enlightium Academy which should include:
- Attendance - Enlightium provides your family with weekly progress reports. You can screenshot the details in these emails to show attendance.
- Curriculum information and samples - Enlightium provides its families with both curriculum overviews by grade level and samples by course.
- Academic plans - Enlightium Academy counselors provide them during the registration process - Primary School (PreK-2), Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8), and High School (9-12).
- Grades - Enlightium provides report cards for all students after quarters 1 and 3 and report cards/transcripts at the end of semesters 1 and 2.
- Test scores - This can include occasional screenshots of test scores and/or standardized assessment scores.
- Academic Awards - Enlightium provides qualifying students with certificates for Honor Roll, Scholar’s List, Dean’s List, and the Presidential Award.
- Social/Competition Achievements - Enlightium holds social events and competitions throughout the school year, such as art competitions and spelling bees.
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Massachusetts Families
Enlightium Academy has an app and desktop platform for families of currently enrolled students. Within this app is a group just for families living in Massachusetts to inform and support each other in fulfilling your state’s homeschooling requirements.
Your family will be automatically added to this group upon enrolling at Enlightium and downloading the Enlightium Parents app (which is provided upon enrollment).
Ready to Enroll at Enlightium Academy?
- Explore Enlightium Academy’s website or watch this video about online homeschooling.
- If you have any questions:
- Chat with a team member
- Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Call (866) 488-4818 option 2
- Ready to enroll? Click here to start the enrollment process and select the blue button near the top of the page.
Enlightium Academy is a private Christian online school that serves homeschooling families by offering a Bible-based, flexible, accredited, teacher supported, and affordable education from the comfort of your home. For any other questions about Enlightium, please call (866) 488-4818, or visit EnlightiumAcademy.com.
We review state requirements and regulations annually however each state may update their guidelines more frequently. If you have additional questions please contact your state board of education.
Sources reviewed in April 2022
