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Withdrawing from public school

How to Withdraw From School in Maine

Pulling your child out of public school in Maine 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 Maine

Maine requires written notice within 10 calendar days of starting (or by September 1 if starting in the fall), sent simultaneously to the local school unit and the Department of Education commissioner. Notify the current school so attendance reflects the change, and keep a copy. An annual assessment follows.

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 Maine (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

    To withdraw your child from public school in Maine and begin homeschooling, send a written withdrawal letter to the current school, then file a notice of intent with both your local school district and the state Department of Education before instruction starts. Rather than hand-writing the withdrawal letter, Homeschool Fox produces a pre-formatted PDF ready to send to the district.

    Download the free Maine withdrawal letter
  3. 3

    File your notice of intent

    Yes, Maine requires you to file notice of your intent to homeschool. You must notify both your local school district and the state.

  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 Maine.

    Read the Maine how-to-start guide

Free Maine printables

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

Maine 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 Maine guidance.

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

What Homeschool Fox tracks for Maine

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

  • Days toward your 175-day goal
  • 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 Maine guides

Withdrawn? Start your Maine homeschool

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