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Two states, side by side

District of Columbia vs Maryland: Homeschool Laws Compared

Nine rules compared from each state's verified compliance data, then what changes for a family moving in either direction.

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The short answer

District of Columbia and Maryland sit in the same tier: both require notice and a periodic assessment. They still differ on 3 of the 9 rules compared: notice of intent, required subjects, and progress reports.

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.

Rule District of Columbia Maryland
Notice of intent Differs Required, filed with the state education department Required, filed with the local school district
Hours or days per year No minimum No minimum
Required subjects Differs 8 named: language arts, math, science, social studies, art, music, health, physical education 8 named: english, math, science, social studies, art, music, health, physical education
Testing or evaluation Portfolio review, annually Portfolio review, annually
Portfolio of work Required Required
Progress reports Differs Once a year On request
Compulsory school ages 5-18 5-18
ESA or school choice funding No program No program
Public school sports access District decides Not yet verified

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. Reports go from once a year in District of Columbia to on request in Maryland.

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. Reports go from on request in Maryland to once a year in District of Columbia.

What stays the same

District of Columbia and Maryland match on hours or days per year, testing or evaluation, the portfolio, 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.

Sourced from each state's own published requirements. See the sources and verification dates on the District of Columbia page and the Maryland page.

Homeschool Fox is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Confirm details with your state or a qualified advisor.

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