Maine School Choice Options
Maine does not offer an education savings account, voucher, or tax credit for homeschool families. In 2025, lawmakers rejected a bill that would have created such a scholarship. That bill, LD 220, would have included home instruction students. Maine also does not appear on the IRS list for the new federal scholarship tax credit. That list is current as of October 22, 2026. Even so, homeschoolers in Maine have real options through public schools and colleges.
Day to day, the biggest benefits come through your local schools. Home instruction students may enroll in public school classes. They may also join cocurricular activities with the superintendent’s approval. That approval may not be unreasonably withheld. Students may try out for extracurricular activities, including sports, without approval. In addition, homeschoolers who follow the home instruction rules may take college classes for free. This is called the Aspirations or dual enrollment program. Check deadlines with the college early. Students in a recognized private school may also join activities if the school has room. A new Legislature convenes in December 2026, so watch for new bills. For full details on each topic, open the sections below.
Maine has no ESA or scholarship program for homeschoolers. LD 220 (2025), the Hope and Inclusion Scholarship Program, would have included home instruction; the Legislature accepted the Ought Not To Pass report in May 2025 (Maine Legislature: LD 220). Homeschoolers of Maine has said it prefers tax credits over government funding programs (HOME: Legislation Watch).
Maine does not appear on the IRS list of states participating in the federal scholarship tax credit as of October 22, 2026 (IRS: FSTC Participating States).
Home instruction students may take public school classes and cocurricular activities with superintendent approval that may not be unreasonably withheld, and may try out for extracurricular activities without approval (§5021; HSLDA). Students in a recognized equivalent private school have access unless the school lacks capacity (HSLDA).
Students who comply with home instruction requirements may take college classes at no cost through Maine’s postsecondary enrollment program, also called dual enrollment, Early College, or Aspirations (HSLDA).
See our Maine Homeschool Laws page for legal requirements.
- Maine Legislature: LD 220 (132nd Legislature); Homeschoolers of Maine: Legislation Watch
- IRS: Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Participating States (as of October 22, 2026)
- 20-A M.R.S. §5021; HSLDA: Public School Access in Maine
Last reviewed: November 7, 2026
*The information on this page is for general use only. It should not be taken as legal advice. It is believed to be accurate however state and federal laws change every year. Homeschool.net recommends joining an organization such as the Home School Legal Defense Association before your homeschooling adventure begins. HSLDA can provide complete, accurate, legal advice and services for homeschooling families.
Update History
No changes in law noted since this page was first published.