What is Home Instruction (Home Schooling)?
Maryland law, Education Article, §7-301, Annotated Code of Maryland, Compulsory Attendance, and COMAR 13A.10.10.01 states that each child who resides in Maryland and is 5 years old by September 1st or older and under 18 shall regularly attend a public school during the entire school year unless the child is otherwise receiving regular, thorough schooling during the school year in the studies usually taught in the public school to children of the same age. Maryland recognizes nonpublic schools and home instruction as options to public school enrollment for students. Parents/guardians may choose to educate their children themselves rather than enrolling their children in a traditional public or private school. The parent who chooses to home school will provide regular and thorough instruction during the school year in the subjects usually taught in the public schools to children of the same age. Students who transfer to home schooling are no longer enrolled in Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS). Therefore, FCPS educational services, clubs, teams and IEP services are no longer available to the student who transfers to home schooling.