Homeschool laws · State guide
Homeschooling in Missouri
Missouri requires no notice to homeschool, but for pupils under 16, parents must keep records (plan book, work samples, evaluations) and provide 1,000 hours of instruction, 600 in core subjects.
Missouri at a glanceLevel: Low
- Notice to the state
- No
- None required. If you send the school written notice of intent to pursue other educational options and ask that the child be dropped from the rolls, the school must remove the child promptly (RSMo §167.042).
- Testing
- No
- None.
- Record-keeping
- Required
- Keep a plan book or diary of subjects taught and activities, samples of academic work, and a record of progress evaluations, or other credible equivalent evidence. Not required at 16 and older (RSMo §167.012).
- Immunization
- Not required
- Missouri does not require homeschoolers to be immunized or keep vaccine records. Private-school students need proof or an exemption (RSMo §167.181; 19 CSR 20-28.010(1)(B)).
- Required subjects
- Yes, 5
- Reading, Language arts, Mathematics, Social studies, Science
- Instruction time
- At least 1,000 hours a year, 600 of them in the five core subjects and 400 of those 600 at the home school location; not required at 16 and older
- RSMo §167.012
- Parent qualifications
- None stated
- Compulsory school age
- 7 to the district's compulsory attendance age, generally 17 or 16 high school credits
- RSMo §167.031
Ways to homeschool here: Home school (RSMo §167.012) · FPE school · Private, parochial or parish school
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Overview
DESE states that it does not regulate or monitor home schooling, that there is no state registration, and that there is no program for inspecting, approving or accrediting home schools. RSMo §167.012 defines a home school as a school whose primary purpose is private or religious-based instruction, enrolling children 7 to the compulsory attendance age, with no more than four unrelated children and no tuition. No state agency may dictate a statewide curriculum for home schools (RSMo §167.031).
Legal options
- Home school (RSMo §167.012)
- FPE school
- Private, parochial or parish school
Requirements at a glance
- Notice: None required. If you send the school written notice of intent to pursue other educational options and ask that the child be dropped from the rolls, the school must remove the child promptly (RSMo §167.042).
- Testing or assessment: None.
- Records: Keep (a) a plan book, diary or other written record of subjects taught and activities, (b) a portfolio of samples of academic work, and (c) a record of evaluations of academic progress, or other credible equivalent evidence. Not required for pupils 16 and older. A daily log is a defense to prosecution; records are subject to review only by the local prosecuting attorney. (RSMo §167.012)
- Subjects: Reading, Language arts, Mathematics, Social studies, Science
- Instruction time: At least 1,000 hours a year, at least 600 in the five core subjects (or related courses), and 400 of those 600 at the regular home school location; these hour requirements do not apply to pupils 16 and older (RSMo §167.012); school year runs July 1–June 30 (RSMo §167.031)
- Parent/teacher qualifications: None stated
- Compulsory attendance ages: 7 to the district’s compulsory attendance age, generally 17 or 16 high school credits (RSMo §167.031)
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.