Homeschooling Support

School Around Us is a Co-Learning Community, serving learners and families who are registered as homeschoolers in the state of Maine. We provide guidance and mentoring for parents and caregivers to navigate the legal and administrative requirements involved in homeschooling. This page provides a brief overview of what that means. 

Why does a child have to be a registered homeschooler to enroll at SAU?

The SAU Co-Learning Community is not a school. To comply with Maine laws regarding compulsory education, every child must either be enrolled at a school (public or private), or registered as a homeschooler. SAU Families fulfill their legal requirement regarding compulsory schooling by registering their child(ren) as a homeschoolers. The SAU Co-Learning Community supports their children by providing full or part time educational experiences for their child.

What are the requirements for parents when they are homeschooling?

Being a homeschooling family means that your family is electing to choose how, when, where, and in what ways your child will receive their education. It does not mean that you must personally provide the instruction or education that your child needs and desires. As the parent(s) of a registered homeschooler in Maine, you must:

  • Annually register your child(ren) as a homeschooler,

  • Provide instruction (or ensure that it is provided),

  • Complete an annual assessment,

  • Submit assessment results.

In Maine the “annual assessment” is fulfilled by providing a portfolio of your child’s learning that has been approved by a certified teacher.

While the final responsibility to provide an education to your child lies with you as a homeschooling parent, School Around Us partners with all enrolled families to support them in completing necessary steps in this process. The SAU experience includes the ongoing compilation and completion of a portfolio of your student’s learning. Portfolio reviews are completed in June by our certified educators.

How does SAU support families to fulfill the legal requirements of being a registered homeschooler in the state of Maine?

School Around Us will provide the following support to Full-Time enrolled families each school year. Items with “PT” designate support also provided for Part-Time families:

  • Updated, step-by-step  information about the homeschool registration process. (PT)

  • Educational instruction in the form of non-compulsory, family-centered, student-directed learning with individualized student support and mentorship. (It is the responsibility of parents to meet the requirements of Maine home instruction laws.) (PT)

  • Regular opportunities throughout the school year for parent/educator check-ins about their child’s experiences including a 1:1 parent/educator meeting scheduled during the first month of school. (Part-Time Families may schedule 1:1 meeting at an additional cost.)

  • Creation and maintenance of online homeschool portfolios in collaboration with parents.

  • Regular programming for parents and adults in the community—including book groups, workshops, classes, and film screenings. (PT)

  • Homeschool portfolio reviews. (Parents and their child will meet with the teacher and review the student's portfolio together, reflect on their learning, discuss interests and passions, consider goals, determine any needs, and provide suggestions for resources. (Part-Timers may schedule this for an additional cost.)

  • A letter, after acceptance of progress, with the teacher’s signature stating the child had a successful year. (Parents will supply this letter when registering to homeschool for the next school year.) (Part-Timers may arrange for this at an additional cost.)