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Homeschool laws · State guide

Homeschooling in Mississippi

Mississippi requires an annual certificate of enrollment filed with the local School Attendance Officer; there are no testing, subject or records requirements in statute.

Last checkedAgainst Statute + state sources

Mississippi at a glanceLevel: Low

Notice to the state
Yes
File a certificate of enrollment each year with the School Attendance Officer where the child lives; the statute says by September 15, and MDE sets its own annual deadline (Miss. Code §37-13-91(3)).
Testing
No
None; the statute bars the state from controlling a home instruction program's curriculum or operation (Miss. Code §37-13-91(9)).
Record-keeping
Not required
None required by statute; MDE recommends a portfolio and a log of books and materials.
Immunization
Not required
Legitimate home programs with 10 or fewer children related to the operator within the third degree need no vaccinations or proof (Miss. Code §41-23-37). Other home programs and private schools follow school rules.
Required subjects
None specified
Instruction time
Not specified for home instruction
statute's 180-day school definition sets the nonpublic term as the days the school requires for promotion; Miss. Code §37-13-91(2)(e)
Parent qualifications
None stated
Compulsory school age
Age 6 by September 1 and under 17 on September 1; also includes children age 5 by September 1 enrolled in full-day public kindergarten
Miss. Code §37-13-91(2)(f)

Ways to homeschool here: Legitimate home instruction program (certificate of enrollment) · Nonpublic school

Choice Homeschool works hard to keep every state guide accurate and up to date, but laws change. If something here has changed or is missing, please let us know, ideally with a link to the official source, and we’ll recheck it.

Overview

Mississippi’s compulsory attendance law excuses a child ‘being educated in a legitimate home instruction program,’ meaning one not set up to avoid the attendance law (Miss. Code §37-13-91(3)(c)). The certificate of enrollment may collect only the information listed in the statute. MDE says families must wait until the current school year ends before enrolling for the next one.

  • Legitimate home instruction program (certificate of enrollment)
  • Nonpublic school

Requirements at a glance

  • Notice: A certificate of enrollment each year to the School Attendance Officer where the child lives, with the child’s name, address, phone and birth date, parent information, a simple description of the education program, and signature. The statute says on or before September 15; MDE’s page gives its own annual deadline and also accepts the form by email (homeschool@mdek12.org). (Miss. Code §37-13-91(3); MDE)
  • Testing or assessment: None; the statute bars the state from controlling a home instruction program’s curriculum or operation (Miss. Code §37-13-91(9)).
  • Records: None required by statute; MDE recommends a portfolio and a log of books and materials.
  • Subjects: None specified
  • Instruction time: Not specified for home instruction (statute’s 180-day school definition sets the nonpublic term as the days the school requires for promotion; Miss. Code §37-13-91(2)(e))
  • Parent/teacher qualifications: None stated
  • Compulsory attendance ages: Age 6 by September 1 and under 17 on September 1; also includes children age 5 by September 1 enrolled in full-day public kindergarten (Miss. Code §37-13-91(2)(f))

Sources

This page summarizes the statutes and official pages listed in the sources block, as read on the last-checked date. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm current requirements with your state or local education agency.

Statute read on Justia; Mississippi’s official code is hosted by a third-party publisher.