District of Columbia vs Maryland: Homeschool Laws Compared

Maryland is the more regulated of the two: it requires notice and a periodic assessment, while District of Columbia requires notice but no testing or evaluation. They differ on 3 of the 9 rules compared: notice of intent, required subjects, and testing or evaluation.

Rules compared

9

Differences

3

Same in both

6

The rules, side by side

Rows where the two states differ are marked. Tap a state name for its full guide, deadlines, and sources.

Figures are the same verified compliance data shown on each state's page. Requirements change; confirm with your state before you rely on one.

Moving from District of Columbia to Maryland

Once you are a Maryland resident you homeschool under Maryland's rules. These are the ones that change.

1. Notice still applies, but it goes to the local school district in Maryland rather than the state education department.
2. Maryland's required list adds english and drops language arts compared with District of Columbia's. Match Maryland's wording in your records.
3. Maryland requires portfolio review, annually. District of Columbia had no assessment rule, so plan for it in your first year.

Moving from Maryland to District of Columbia

Once you are a District of Columbia resident you homeschool under District of Columbia's rules. These are the ones that change.

1. Notice still applies, but it goes to the state education department in District of Columbia rather than the local school district.
2. District of Columbia's required list adds language arts and drops english compared with Maryland's. Match District of Columbia's wording in your records.
3. District of Columbia requires no testing or evaluation. Keep Maryland's past results with your records; colleges may still ask for them.

What stays the same

District of Columbia and Maryland match on hours or days per year, the portfolio, progress reports, compulsory school ages, ESA funding, and public school sports access. Your habits on those carry over unchanged.

Do your records transfer?

Neither District of Columbia nor Maryland takes homeschool records from another state, and there is no transfer process between them. You keep your own: the hours or attendance log, work samples, and any grades or transcripts. Those are what the new state, and later a college, may ask to see. Homeschool Fox keeps them in one account that moves with your family.

Keep comparing

• Delaware vs Maryland 5 rules differ
• District of Columbia vs Virginia 4 rules differ
• Florida vs Maryland 4 rules differ
• Maryland vs Pennsylvania 4 rules differ
• Maryland vs Virginia 3 rules differ
• Maryland vs West Virginia 5 rules differ
• States That Require a Homeschool Notice of Intent All 36 states in one table
• Required Homeschool Subjects by State All 31 states in one table
• States That Require Homeschool Testing or Evaluation All 16 states in one table