Mississippi · Light-touch

Homeschooling in Mississippi

Mississippi asks you to file a notice before you begin. Here is what goes in it, when it is due, and what happens after.

VerifiedMarch 2026

Notice of intentFile every yearCertificate of enrollment filed with the local school attendance officer by September 15 each year

Yearly assessmentNot required

Instruction timeNo minimum set

RecordsYour choice

How to start homeschooling in Mississippi

Written from Mississippi's own rules. If a step is missing below, it is because your state does not ask for it.

Withdraw from the school your child attends now
If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are moving to home education. Keep a dated copy for yourself — it is the record that closes out their enrollment.
Send your notice of intent
Mississippi asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: Certificate of enrollment filed with the local school attendance officer by September 15 each year You will do this again at the start of every school year. It goes to Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Compulsory School Attendance / Local School Attendance Officer.
Choose what to teach
Mississippi does not name required subjects, so your curriculum is your own decision. Most families still cover reading, writing, and math daily, and let interest lead the rest.
Keep a light record as you go
Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. Mississippi does not require you to keep records, but a simple folder of work samples makes transcripts and college applications far easier later on.

Source: Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Compulsory School Attendance / Local School Attendance Officer — mdek12.org/ocsa/home-school/. Checked March 2026.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it: Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Compulsory School Attendance / Local School Attendance Officer
When it is due: Certificate of enrollment filed with the local school attendance officer by September 15 each year
How often: Every school year
Notarized?: No
Official form: mdek12.org/ocsa/home-school/
Ongoing reporting: Yes, once a year

Source: Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Compulsory School Attendance / Local School Attendance Officer — mdek12.org/ocsa/home-school/. Checked March 2026.

Testing, portfolios and reviews

No yearly assessment

Mississippidoes not require a standardized test or an evaluator's review. Plenty of families still keep a folder of work through the year — not because the state asks, but because it makes a transcript or a college application far easier to put together later.

Source: Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Compulsory School Attendance / Local School Attendance Officer — mdek12.org/ocsa/home-school/. Checked March 2026.

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects: Mississippi does not name required subjects — the curriculum is yours to choose.
Instruction time: Mississippi sets no minimum number of days or hours.
Who may teach: No teaching certificate, degree, or credential is required of you.
Keeping records: No retention period is set. Keeping a simple folder is still worth doing.
Legal routes: Home Instruction Program — file annual certificate of enrollment with local attendance officer by Sept 15; include student names, ages, DOB, address, and a simple description of the type of education being provided; the program must not be operated 'for the purpose of avoiding or circumventing the compulsory attendance law'
Church School / Private School — enroll in a private or church school that provides home-based instruction; some families use MHEA (Mississippi Home Education Association) for community support and records
Umbrella / cover schools: Mississippi does not have a formal state-regulated umbrella school system, but families may enroll in church schools or private schools that provide home-based instruction as an alternative to direct filing. MHEA (Mississippi Home Education Association at mhea.net) is the state's primary homeschool organization and offers guidance on the certificate of enrollment process. Some families use out-of-state umbrella schools for transcript purposes.

Source: Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Compulsory School Attendance / Local School Attendance Officer — mdek12.org/ocsa/home-school/. Checked March 2026.

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Dual enrollment: Mississippi homeschoolers may enroll in dual enrollment courses at community colleges, though access varies by institution. No statewide mandate requires colleges to accept homeschoolers. Individual college admission offices determine eligibility.
Diplomas: No state-issued diploma for homeschoolers. Parents issue their own diplomas and transcripts. No formal state recognition. Many families use accredited online programs or umbrella schools for recognized diplomas.
College admissions: Mississippi public universities (Ole Miss, Mississippi State, USM) accept homeschool applicants based on SAT/ACT scores. Strong standardized test scores are especially important in Mississippi since no state standardized testing is required during homeschooling.
Support for additional needs: Mississippi homeschooled students do not retain FAPE rights. Families may request Child Find evaluations. Access to services is limited and at district discretion.

Source: Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Compulsory School Attendance / Local School Attendance Officer — mdek12.org/ocsa/home-school/. Checked March 2026.

Money your family can claim in Mississippi

No program on file yet

We do not have a verified Mississippi education savings account, scholarship, or tax credit for homeschooling families on file. That may mean the state has none, or it may mean we have not confirmed one yet — we would rather say so than point you at something we have not checked. State programs change often, so it is worth asking Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Compulsory School Attendance / Local School Attendance Officer directly.

See the states where funding is confirmed →

Questions parents ask about Mississippi

Is homeschooling legal in Mississippi?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Mississippi. Mississippi is considered one of the easiest states for homeschoolers — minimal regulation, no notice required, and maximum family freedom.

Do I need to file a Notice of Intent to homeschool in Mississippi?

Yes. Mississippi requires families to file a Notice of Intent by Certificate of enrollment filed with the local school attendance officer by September 15 each year. This notice must be renewed annually.

How many instruction days are required in Mississippi?

Mississippi does not mandate a minimum amount of instruction time.

What subjects are required by law in Mississippi?

Mississippi does not mandate specific subjects, giving families complete freedom to design their own curriculum.

Does Mississippi require annual assessment for homeschoolers?

No. Mississippi does not require formal annual assessment. Families may voluntarily track progress for college application purposes.

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Mississippi?

No. Mississippi does not require parents to hold a teaching certificate or any specific educational credential to homeschool their children.

Can homeschoolers participate in public school sports in Mississippi?

Mississippi does not have a statewide law guaranteeing homeschoolers access to public school sports. Participation may be at individual district discretion. Check with your local school district.

Source: Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Compulsory School Attendance / Local School Attendance Officer — mdek12.org/ocsa/home-school/. Checked March 2026.

Worth knowing about Mississippi

Mississippi is considered very low-regulation. The only legal requirement is an annual certificate of enrollment filed by September 15. No subjects, testing, days, or teacher qualifications are mandated. MHEA (mhea.net) provides community and compliance guidance. The annual filing is straightforward and available through the local attendance officer.

Source: Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Compulsory School Attendance / Local School Attendance Officer — mdek12.org/ocsa/home-school/. Checked March 2026.

Who to ask in Mississippi

Regulator: Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Compulsory School Attendance / Local School Attendance Officer
Official site: mdek12.org/ocsa/home-school/
Forms: mdek12.org/ocsa/home-school/

Free tools for your first year

Everything below works whether or not you ever pay us a penny. Use what helps with Mississippi's requirements and ignore the rest.

Transcript builderBuild a clean high-school transcript with GPA and credits, ready to send to a college.Paperwork generatorFill in your details and get the letter or affidavit your state expects, already worded for it.Printable worksheetsPrint practice pages by grade and subject for the days a screen is the wrong answer.Instruction day logTick off days as you go so the count is already done when your state asks for it.State fundingSee whether your state puts education money in your hands, and how to claim it.Starting guideThe whole first year in five steps, written for someone who has never done this before.

Other states

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii All 51 →

This page was written from Mississippi's published rules and last checked in March 2026. Laws change between checks, so confirm anything you are about to file with Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Compulsory School Attendance / Local School Attendance Officer. This is information for families, not legal advice.

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