Your decision is made -- your family plans to embark on home-based instruction. Congratulations! Now what?
Before you begin, prep yourself by obtaining a few homeschooling guides or books. Although there are many good reads on the market today, allow yourself a few weeks, if not months, to soak up information and plan your child's educational goals accordingly.

Before purchasing curriculum, consider the teaching method you might feel most comfortable. Perhaps a blend or mixture of a few styles? Not sure? Check out our Homeschool Teaching Methods flowchart and Homeschool Methods: 101.

To homeschool in Frederick County, you'll need to choose a monitoring method. Maryland prescribes two models of homeschooling - either monitoring through the county or through an approved umbrella group (which can include an approved academy or hybrid program):
Frederick County Public Schools
Approved Umbrella Group

Frederick County Public Schools
Department of Student Services  [Website]
Under the auspice of Student Services with Frederick County Public Schools, homeschoolers may opt for the support of monitoring professionals to help monitor the progress of homeschooled child/ren.

FCPS - FAQs  |  Credit Regulations

Ron Johnston, Homeschool Instruction Monitor
Email  |  301-644-5244

Gary Marple, Homeschool Instruction Monitor
Email  |  301-644-5235


Umbrella Groups
Homeschoolers in Frederick County may choose an umbrella group to monitor the progress of their child/ren during the school year. An umbrella group may also consist of a "hybrid" school --  ½ private school and ½ homeschool -- and works like a weekly cooperative classroom setting. The "hybrid" choice may also include educational institutions which offer courses of study in a classroom setting.

This list pertains to Frederick County umbrella groups located in Frederick County. Other approved umbrella groups located outside the county, though not listed herein, may be used for homeschooling monitoring purposes if approved. This list does not include educational institutions.


Calvary Assembly of God
Calvary Assembly of God of Walkersville, Inc.
8234 Woodsboro Pike  |  Walkersville MD 21793
(301) 898-7811

Family Center Educational Ministry
Liberty Christian Fellowship Church
7128 Ewing Court  |  Middletown MD 21769
(301) 473-4375

Frederick Baptist Temple Home Education Ministry
5305 Mount Zion Road  |  Frederick MD 21703
(301) 473-8900

Frederick Montessori School, Inc.
6707 Jefferson Boulevard  |  Braddock Heights MD 21701
(301) 371-9639

Harvest Family Schools - Harvest Christian Fellowship
8707 Indian Springs Road  |  Frederick MD 21702
(301) 662-0206

Harvest High School - Harvest Life Ministries
6371 Zittlestown Road  |  Middletown MD 21769
(301) 432-8425