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Withdrawing from public school

How to Withdraw From School in Maryland

Pulling your child out of public school in Maryland to homeschool is usually a short, one-time process. Here are the steps, the letter you send, and how to time it so the district doesn't flag your child as truant.

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How withdrawal works in Maryland

If your child is enrolled in a Maryland public school, file the home-instruction notification with the county superintendent at least 15 days before you begin (or enroll under an MSDE-approved umbrella, which files for you), then notify the current school so attendance reflects the change. Keep a copy. Portfolio reviews follow on the county's or umbrella's schedule.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Confirm your child is currently enrolled

    This guide is for moving a currently enrolled student to homeschooling. If your child has never attended public school in Maryland (a kindergartner you're starting at home, for example), there's usually nothing to withdraw from. A quick call to the school confirms their status.

  2. 2

    Send a written withdrawal letter to the school

    Moving a child from public school to homeschool in Maryland starts with a written withdrawal to the current school and a notice of intent to the local district. Together they put the new arrangement on record. Homeschool Fox can draft the withdrawal letter for you. It fills in the student, district, and date fields automatically.

    Download the free Maryland withdrawal letter
  3. 3

    File your notice of intent

    Yes, Maryland requires you to file notice of your intent to homeschool. You must notify your local school district.

  4. 4

    Keep dated copies for your records

    Save a copy of the withdrawal letter and anything you file, noting the date you sent it. If the district ever asks about attendance, dated proof that you withdrew on time is what closes the question.

  5. 5

    Set up your homeschool

    With the withdrawal handled, the rest is starting your homeschool: planning subjects, setting an hours or days target, and keeping records. Your next stop is the how-to-start guide for Maryland.

    Read the Maryland how-to-start guide

Free Maryland printables

Two ready-to-use PDFs for Maryland homeschoolers. No account needed.

Maryland hour log Printable daily log, prefilled with the state's hour and day target. Withdrawal letter template A fillable letter to withdraw from public school, with Maryland guidance.

Templates, not legal advice. Confirm the current rule with your state or district.

What Homeschool Fox tracks for Maryland

Everything Maryland expects you to keep, in one place — no spreadsheets, no lost notebooks.

  • Required hours or days
  • Required subjects & core hours
  • Daily activity logs
  • Attendance records
  • Notes & portfolio records
  • Printable PDF reports
  • High school transcripts
  • State-specific progress tracking
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More Maryland guides

Withdrawn? Start your Maryland homeschool

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