Mississippi Homeschool Notice of Intent

Legal Framework

Homeschooling in Mississippi is governed by the Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance Law, §37-13-91 of the Mississippi Code (1972 Annotated). Under this law, a child may be educated in a "legitimate home instruction program" by a parent, guardian, or custodian. Mississippi is widely regarded as one of the most homeschool-friendly states in the country, with minimal regulation and maximum parental freedom.

Compulsory Education Ages

Children ages 6 through 17 are subject to compulsory education requirements. If your child has not yet turned 6 or has turned 17, you are not subject to the compulsory attendance law. There is no requirement for kindergarten unless you choose to enroll your child.

Annual Enrollment Form

The single compliance step is straightforward: every family who wishes to homeschool children of compulsory school age must complete an enrollment form with the local School Attendance Officer each year, as required by §37-13-91(2)(c). This form typically asks for:

• The name, address, and date of birth of each child being homeschooled
• The name of the parent, guardian, or custodian providing instruction
• A statement that you are operating a legitimate home instruction program

This is a simple notice — not a request for approval. The state does not review or approve your curriculum, methods, or qualifications.

No Required Subjects

Mississippi does not specify required subjects for homeschool instruction. You have complete freedom to design your curriculum around your child's needs, interests, and educational goals. While there are no mandated subject areas, most families cover core academics including reading, writing, math, science, and social studies as a matter of good practice.

No Teacher Qualifications

Mississippi does not require any teaching credentials, college degrees, or certifications for homeschool parents. Any parent, guardian, or custodian may provide home instruction.

Instructional Days

The law references 180 days of instruction, which is the same as the public school calendar. While there is no daily hour requirement, operating on a schedule that roughly mirrors the school year helps demonstrate that your program is "legitimate" if questions arise.

What Makes a "Legitimate" Home Instruction Program?

The law states that a home instruction program must not be "operated or instituted for the purpose of avoiding or circumventing the compulsory attendance law." In practice, this means you are genuinely educating your children, not simply filing paperwork to avoid truancy. As long as you are providing real instruction, you are on solid legal ground.

Record Keeping

Mississippi law does not specifically mandate record keeping for homeschoolers. However, maintaining basic records is strongly recommended — attendance logs, curriculum materials, and work samples will protect you if your status is ever questioned and are essential for college applications, military enlistment, or transferring to a public or private school.