← Back to all states
🎸

Mississippi

Easy

Homeschool legal: ✅ Yes ·Last verified: 2026-03 ·State code: MS

Overview

Instruction days
No minimum requirement
Legal status
Homeschooling is legal in this state
Regulatory body
Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Compulsory School Attendance / Local School Attendance Officer
Official website
https://mdek12.org/ocsa/home-school/

Notice Requirements

Notice required
Yes — notice must be filed
Deadline
Certificate of enrollment filed with the local school attendance officer by September 15 each year
Frequency
Annual — must re-file each school year
Reporting
Required (annually)

Assessment Requirements

Assessment required
No — assessment is optional

Curriculum & Qualifications

Required subjects
No specific subjects mandated
Teacher qualifications
No specific teaching credentials required
Portfolio
No portfolio requirement

Additional Notes

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.

Tips for Homeschooling in Mississippi

  1. 1

    File your notice on time: "Certificate of enrollment filed with the local school attendance officer by September 15 each year". Set a calendar reminder 2 weeks before to prepare documents.

  2. 2

    No formal assessment is required in Mississippi. Consider voluntary portfolio tracking to document your child's progress for college applications.

  3. 3

    Join a local Mississippi homeschool co-op or support group. Peer connections help with curriculum sharing, field trips, and social opportunities for your learner.

Open Mississippi Checklist →

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and may not reflect the most current regulations. Always verify requirements directly with Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Compulsory School Attendance / Local School Attendance Officer or a qualified education attorney.