Homeschool benefits and savings in Brockton and Canton
Massasoit Community College's Individual Dual Enrollment Access (IDEA) program lets approved Massachusetts homeschool students take college courses for $100 per credit plus fees, about $300 for a 3-credit class instead of $699 at the regular resident rate. Eligible courses meet after 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, on weekends, or online.
Who qualifies
Approved Massachusetts homeschool student
Your student must be enrolled in an approved homeschool program and live in Massachusetts. Submit evidence that your district superintendent or school committee approved the program.
Holds a 2.5 GPA
Your student needs at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale and good academic standing, plus your approval as parent or guardian.
Places into college-level courses
Your student must place out of Massasoit's developmental coursework using Multiple Measures.
Under 16 gets extra approval
Students under 16 are considered case by case and need Youth Learner approval from the Early College office before registering.
What it is worth
Massasoit charges IDEA students $100 per credit; its 2026-2027 rate for Massachusetts residents is $233 per credit, $24 in tuition plus a $209 General College Fee.
- 3-credit course on IDEA
- $300
- 3-credit course at the regular resident rate
- $699
- 4-credit course on IDEA
- $400
- 4-credit course at the regular resident rate
- $932
- Two 3-credit courses on IDEA
- $600
IDEA courses can add online, lab, or special course fees and the cost of books, and not every online course gets the reduced rate, so confirm the course with the IDEA coordinator before you register.
From applying to keeping it
- Before you apply
Gather homeschool proof
Get written evidence that your superintendent or school committee approved your homeschool program.
- 60 days before the term
Finish placement testing
All placement testing must be done at least 60 days before the term starts.
- 30 days before the term
Submit all documents
Apply online and turn in every required document no later than 30 days before the term.
- Before registering
Confirm the course
Ask the IDEA coordinator whether the evening, weekend, or online section you want is eligible for the $100 rate.
- Each term
Pay and attend
Pay tuition and fees at Student Central or in the MyMassasoit portal, and keep your student in good academic standing.
What it pays for
Covered
- Reduced tuition for approved IDEA courses
- Courses after 4:00 p.m. on weekdays
- Weekend courses
- Eligible online courses
Not covered
- Textbooks and course materials
- Daytime weekday courses
- Online courses not approved for the IDEA rate
Good to know
Students under 16 may enroll after review
Students under 16, including a 14-year-old, are reviewed one at a time based on maturity, placement scores, prerequisites, and the course. Email earlycollege@massasoit.mass.edu to request a Youth Learner approval meeting.
The $100 rate does not cover daytime classes
IDEA pricing covers approved courses that meet after 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, on weekends, or online. Some online courses are excluded.
Who to contact
IDEA Academic Coordinator Kristine Bohmer confirms which courses qualify for IDEA pricing and answers eligibility questions.
kfortinib@massasoit.mass.edu 508-588-9100 IDEA program page
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Massachusetts
Obtain approval of your home education plan from the resident district before instruction begins or withdrawing a child of compulsory school age. Renewal and reporting follow the district’s homeschool policy.
Massachusetts sets these rules:
- Subjects: The approved plan must provide instruction in the studies required by law, equal in thoroughness, efficiency, and progress to the local public schools. Districts review content, materials, instructional time, methods, and evaluation.
- Testing: Assessment methods and reporting follow the locally approved plan. Massachusetts does not impose one statewide annual standardized-test requirement.
- Records: Keep the progress evidence and reports required by your approved district plan; the state does not prescribe a single homeschool portfolio format.
- Teachers: State educator-licensing requirements for public schools do not apply to home instruction.
Read the Massachusetts homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Massachusetts
Questions parents ask
- Who writes the recommendation if we homeschool?
- Massasoit does not say for homeschoolers. It lists a recommendation from a counselor or school official for high school students, so ask the IDEA coordinator what a homeschool parent should submit instead.
- What if we drop a class?
- For full-semester fall and spring courses, dropping in the first week after the first class gets a 100% refund, the second week gets 50%, and there is no refund from the third week on.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
College classes can cover part of high school. We teach the subjects your child needs alongside them, starting at the right level in each subject.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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