As a parent/guardian, you have the legal right to homeschool your child(ren); however, Massachusetts is an approval state. For families, this means that you must follow the homeschool application and approval process for your chosen education plan with the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District (or your town of residence) before you can officially remove your child from school. Should you decide to go this route, you are responsible for deciding the curriculum that your child will learn and the method of delivery, whether you choose to teach them yourself or to enroll them in a program (free or at-cost to you) that provides and tracks your child’s home education.

Massachusetts' compulsory education laws require homeschoolers to submit an education plan for children in the calendar year that they will turn six (6) and again each school year through the year they turn 16 (sixteen).

In accordance with district policy and the Charles Decision, the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District requires that families submit a completed application listing education plans, source materials and parent qualifications. Parents/guardians must also provide dated work samples (either quarterly or annually) or progress reports and report cards by the end of the school year as proof of completion of coursework. Failure to provide proof of coursework completion will prevent approval of the next school year’s application.

• Policy for Home Instruction and Home Instruction Guidelines

• Home Schooling Application

For more information about homeschooling, please see below.

If you would like more information and resources on homeschooling, please see the information that we have compiled below. This is a reminder that we do not own, control or endorse the content provided by the resources listed and that these are being shared with you as a courtesy. They do not represent the values or opinions of our district. It is recommended that you use your own best judgement in choosing the content that appeals to you and meets the needs of your child. If there are other resources that you would like to see shared with our homeschool community, please let us know.

If your child has expressed or is exhibiting signs of a mental health crisis, don’t wait to get them the help that they need. Contact Mobile Crisis right away!

Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) - Crisis and Mental Health Support 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. It’s free, confidential, and no health insurance is required.

• Call or text: 833-773-2445

• Live chat: https://www.masshelpline.com/

The Superintendent of Schools of the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District recognizes their responsibility to enforce the Massachusetts compulsory attendance requirements which are found in state law and regulations including General Laws c.76, 1.

The Superintendent also acknowledges the right of parents and guardians to educate their children at home and has established the following guidelines for approval of home instruction programs. This policy was adopted by the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District’s School Committee, and final approval by the School Committee was granted at the School Committee Meeting held on Tuesday, September 9, 2008.

In accordance with Massachusetts law, parents who wish to obtain approval from the Superintendent (or their designee) of a home instruction program must satisfy the guidelines set forth in this policy. These guidelines are intended to provide a review process as to ensure reasonable education requirements are met. 

The information contained on this page was compiled from free and public online web sources. These resources are being shared with you as a courtesy. The Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District does not own, control or endorse the content provided by the resources listed, nor do they represent the values or opinions of our district.