Homeschool benefits and savings in Duxbury

Duxbury Public Schools lets a child in an approved home education program join district classes or extracurricular activities when there is room and the Superintendent approves. Notify the Assistant Superintendent 14 days before your home program starts and reapply each school year. Other options include college classes and scholarships.

By Andrew Garber, founder of TheHomeschoolingCompany. Reviewed August 25, 2026.

Duxbury Public Schools homeschool activity access

Who qualifies

1. Has an approved home program

   Submit the Home Education Application certifying your child's name, age, residence, and hours of attendance. The home education procedures cover children ages 6 to 16.

2. Lives in Duxbury

   Access is for students educated in a home-based program within the district.

3. There is space in the activity

   Access to curricular or extracurricular activities depends on availability.

4. Superintendent approves

   The Superintendent must approve your child's participation.

What access includes

These terms come from Duxbury Public Schools' home education page and School Committee policy IHBG, updated March 2024.

District classes (curricular activities)

If space and approved

Extracurricular activities

If space and approved

Special education evaluation and services

A legal right

MCAS state testing

Not included

Textbooks and materials

Not supplied

The district may request mid-year progress reports, so keep your assessment records ready.

How to request access

1. 14 days before

   Notify the Assistant Superintendent

   Send written notice of your home-based program and complete the Home Education Application.

2. After approval

   Withdraw from school

   Tell your child's school office in writing, complete the district withdrawal form, and return any school-issued technology and materials.

3. When you want access

   Ask about a class or activity

   Request the specific activity; the Superintendent approves it if space is available.

4. Each school year

   Reapply

   Resubmit your notification for every year your child is educated at home.

What it includes

Included

• District classes
• School extracurricular activities
• Special education services

Not included

• MCAS testing
• Textbooks and instructional materials

Who to contact about access

The district office, through the Assistant Superintendent, handles home education notices, approvals, and activity requests.

781-934-7600 Home education page

Massasoit Community College IDEA dual enrollment

Who qualifies

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Places into college-level courses

   Your student must place out of Massasoit's developmental coursework using Multiple Measures.

4. 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

1. Before you apply

   Gather homeschool proof

   Get written evidence that your superintendent or school committee approved your homeschool program.

2. 60 days before the term

   Finish placement testing

   All placement testing must be done at least 60 days before the term starts.

3. 30 days before the term

   Submit all documents

   Apply online and turn in every required document no later than 30 days before the term.

4. Before registering

   Confirm the course

   Ask the IDEA coordinator whether the evening, weekend, or online section you want is eligible for the $100 rate.

5. 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

• Online, lab, and special course fees
• 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

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