How to Homeschool in Mississippi

If you are considering homeschooling in the State of Mississippi, take a look at an overview of the laws governing homeschools in this state. Always check with the Mississippi Board of Education for specific requirements.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Certificate of enrollment

1. Operating a homeschool is a viable legal educational option in the state of Mississippi. The assumption is made that a homeschool is established to actually educate a child and to not simply avoid mandatory school attendance. The state does not require any special qualifications for the parents of a homeschooled child.
2. A certificate of enrollment must be filed with the local school attendance officer by September 15 of every year. Included on this certificate should be the name and address of the parents and children that are involved in the homeschool, the children’s dates of birth, and a simple statement regarding what type of education will be received in the homeschool.
3. If a child starts school in the public school, and then is withdrawn after the September 15 deadline to start homeschooling, then a certificate of enrollment must still be submitted to the local attendance officer. If this paperwork is not filed properly and in a timely fashion, the attendance officer will issue a written notification that a problem exists. If in 10 days of this notification, paperwork is still not received, then it is assumed that the child is truant.
4. Compulsory school attendance does not start until a child is six years of age, thus kindergarten is not a requirement in Mississippi. If a child does start kindergarten when she is five-years-old, that child can be withdrawn from school one time without compulsory attendance beginning for that child. If the child is withdrawn more than once, then the compulsory attendance law does begin to apply to that child.
5. There are no testing requirements for homeschooled children in the sate of Mississippi.
6. There are no actual subjects that are required to be taught in a homeschool. It is believed and acted upon that the parent of a child knows what is best for all aspects of that child’s life including their education. This means that curriculum decisions are the responsibility of the parent in a homeschool situation. Attendance requirements are not specifically established for a homeschool. What is important is that the child is actually making adequate educational progress.

Tips & Warnings

• No the laws governing a homeschool situation in Mississippi before you begin. Check out the Mississippi Department of Education laws online.