Two states, side by side
Massachusetts vs Vermont: Homeschool Laws Compared
Nine rules compared from each state's verified compliance data, then what changes for a family moving in either direction.
Start tracking freeThe short answer
Massachusetts and Vermont sit in the same tier: both require notice and a periodic assessment. They still differ on 4 of the 9 rules compared: notice of intent, hours or days per year, required subjects, and public school sports access.
- Rules compared
- 9
- Differences
- 4
- Same in both
- 5
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 | Massachusetts | Vermont |
|---|---|---|
| Notice of intent Differs | Required, filed with the local school district | Required, filed with the state education department |
| Hours or days per year Differs | No minimum | 175 days a year |
| Required subjects Differs | 11 named: reading, writing, english grammar, geography, arithmetic, drawing, music, united states history, citizenship, health, physical education | 10 named: reading, writing, math, citizenship, literature, history, sciences, fine arts, physical education, health |
| Testing or evaluation | Parent's choice (testing, portfolio, or evaluation), annually | Parent's choice (testing, portfolio, or evaluation), annually |
| Portfolio of work | Not required | Not required |
| Progress reports | Once a year | Once a year |
| Compulsory school ages | 6-16 | 6-16 |
| ESA or school choice funding | No program | No program |
| Public school sports access Differs | District decides | Yes, with conditions |
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 Massachusetts to Vermont
Once you are a Vermont resident you homeschool under Vermont's rules. These are the ones that change.
- Notice still applies, but it goes to the state education department in Vermont rather than the local school district.
- Start logging from your first day: Vermont counts 175 days a year, and Massachusetts set no minimum.
- Vermont's required list adds math, literature, history, sciences, and fine arts and drops english grammar, geography, arithmetic, drawing, music, and united states history compared with Massachusetts's. Match Vermont's wording in your records.
- Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Vermont the answer is yes, with conditions; in Massachusetts it was district decides.
Moving from Vermont to Massachusetts
Once you are a Massachusetts resident you homeschool under Massachusetts's rules. These are the ones that change.
- Notice still applies, but it goes to the local school district in Massachusetts rather than the state education department.
- Massachusetts sets no hour or day minimum. Keep the log anyway; it is what you show if anyone asks, and what you build a transcript from.
- Massachusetts's required list adds english grammar, geography, arithmetic, drawing, music, and united states history and drops math, literature, history, sciences, and fine arts compared with Vermont's. Match Massachusetts's wording in your records.
- Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Massachusetts the answer is district decides; in Vermont it was yes, with conditions.
What stays the same
Massachusetts and Vermont match on testing or evaluation, the portfolio, progress reports, compulsory school ages, and ESA funding. Your habits on those carry over unchanged.
Do your records transfer?
Neither Massachusetts nor Vermont 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 Massachusetts page and the Vermont page.
Homeschool Fox is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Confirm details with your state or a qualified advisor.
Keep comparing
- Connecticut vs Massachusetts 4 rules differ
- Florida vs Massachusetts 4 rules differ
- Massachusetts vs New Hampshire 6 rules differ
- Massachusetts vs New York 4 rules differ
- Massachusetts vs Rhode Island 4 rules differ
- New Hampshire vs Vermont 7 rules differ
- New York vs Vermont 5 rules differ
- States That Require a Homeschool Notice of Intent All 36 states in one table
- States With Homeschool Hour and Day Requirements All 21 states in one table
- Required Homeschool Subjects by State All 34 states in one table
Take your records across the state line
Pick your new state once and Homeschool Fox applies its hours, subjects, and reporting rules to everything you have already logged.
Start tracking free14-day free trial. No credit card required.