Compulsory attendance at school

20-A M.R.S. § 3271, under Chapter 119.

20-A M.R.S. § 3271

1. Required attendance. Persons residing in the unorganized territory who are at least 6 years of age and under 17 years of age shall attend a public day elementary or secondary school or an approved private school during the time it is in session.

1-A. Attendance of persons 5 years of age or older and under 6 years of age. A person 5 years of age or older and under 6 years of age who is enrolled in and who has not withdrawn from a public day school is required to attend that school during the time it is in session.

2. Alternative instruction. Alternative instruction may be substituted for attendance in a day school in the following cases when approved by the school principal. A person 5 years of age or older and under 6 years of age is not required to meet the requirements of this subsection.

A. The person is enrolled in an approved special education program. [PL 1985, c. 490, §8 (NEW).]

B. The person obtains equivalent instruction through alternative learning or in any other manner arranged or approved by the commissioner. [PL 2007, c. 667, §4 (AMD).]

C. [PL 1989, c. 415, §3 (RP).]

3. Exceptions. Attendance at school or an alternative education program is not required of:

A. A person who has graduated from high school before the person's 17th birthday; [PL 2007, c. 667, §5 (AMD).]

B. A person who has attained at least 15 years of age, has completed the 9th grade and has permission to leave school to participate in a suitable program of training or combined work and study from a parent and the commissioner; [PL 2025, c. 437, §3 (AMD).]

C. A person who has been adjudged a truant and has been excused from attendance pursuant to procedures established by the commissioner; or [PL 2025, c. 437, §3 (AMD).]

D. A person who has matriculated and is attending an accredited postsecondary degree‑granting institution as a full‑time student. An exception to attendance in public school under this paragraph must be approved by the commissioner.