Budget Info FY 25 
Home instruction
Maine parents may choose to educate their children at home. Parents take full responsibility for the child while providing home instruction—they legally direct the child's education by choosing the curriculum, facilitating the process, and determining academic needs. Home instruction is funded exclusively by the parent.
How to Begin Home Instruction
The Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction may be completed via the Maine Department of Education's Home Instruction Portal, or by submitting a paper form or other notice that contains the required information (please see the Maine DOE's Frequently Asked Questions for required information details). Parents that do not submit all of the required information will be notified by the school administrative unit of residence according to local district policies. One submission of a home instruction Notice serves as notification to both the Maine Department of Education and the RSU 9 superintendent, as required by law, and will prompt an acknowledgment to parents who supply a valid email address. A school year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30.
The parent/guardian who is beginning home instruction for a student for the first time must file a Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction within 10 days of withdrawal from school.
Each year thereafter, a Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction (with prior year assessment results attached - see below) must be filed by September 1.
Home Instruction Requirements, Laws, and forms
If you are a parent or guardian who wishes to provide the education for your child and not have your student enrolled in RSU 9 schools, you should be aware of Maine's home instruction requirements and laws, and make sure you submit the appropriate paperwork to the Maine Department of Education (DOE).
Parents/Guardians of Home Instruction Students must complete the requirements of M.R.S. 20-A §5001-A(3)(A)(4) (highlighted in yellow). As Home Instruction lies within the compulsory attendance law, truancy laws apply.
Submit or Update a Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction
- Online submission: Maine DOE Home Instruction Portal (one submission process for both first/subsequent year of home instruction)
- Paper form: Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction (PDF updated as of April 2021) Submit to the Superintendent's Office of your resident school district
- Request to Update Home Instruction Record with the Maine DOE Has your student graduated or decided to go back to public/private school? Have you submitted your Intent to Provide Home Instruction but have a mid-year change of address, addition or correction for the file? Please let the Maine DOE know.
Visit the Maine Department of Education's Home Instruction website for more information, or if you have questions, please contact the RSU 9 Home Instruction Liaison, Katie Merrill, at 207-778-6571, option 9.