Overview
Mississippi allows parents and guardians to educate their children at home through a legitimate home instruction program.
Mississippi law recognizes home instruction programs as a form of nonpublic education. Families do not have to enroll with a cover school or umbrella school in order to legally homeschool in Mississippi.
However, families may choose to enroll with an educational organization such as Alabama Church School for curriculum, academic records, transcripts, diplomas, attendance resources, documentation, and additional educational support.
Compulsory School Attendance Age
Mississippi's compulsory attendance law generally applies to children who will be age 6 on or before September 1 of the calendar year and who have not reached age 17 on or before September 1.
A 5-year-old child who enrolls in a full-day public kindergarten program also becomes subject to Mississippi's compulsory attendance requirements.
Homeschool Enrollment and Notification
Mississippi requires parents or guardians who homeschool a compulsory-school-age child to complete a Certificate of Enrollment for each homeschooled child every school year.
For the 2026-2027 school year, the Mississippi Department of Education instructs homeschool families to submit the Certificate of Enrollment by August 15.
The form is submitted to the local School Attendance Officer. Mississippi also currently allows families to submit the completed form electronically through the Mississippi Department of Education homeschool office.
Parents should retain a copy of the completed Certificate of Enrollment for their records. The Certificate is a notification and enrollment document, not an application asking the state to approve the family's homeschool curriculum.
Instructional Days and Hours
Mississippi does not establish a specific statewide number of instructional days or instructional hours that a home instruction program must complete. Mississippi law allows nonpublic educational programs to establish their own school term and requirements for promotion from one grade to another.
Required Subjects
Mississippi does not prescribe a specific list of subjects that must be taught in a home instruction program. Parents may determine the subjects and educational program appropriate for their child. Mississippi homeschool law does not require parents to follow the public school curriculum.
Attendance and Records
Mississippi's primary statewide homeschool filing requirement is the annual Certificate of Enrollment. The state does not impose the same attendance-reporting, grading, portfolio, or progress-report requirements on home instruction programs that public schools must follow.
Families are strongly encouraged to maintain attendance, courses completed, grades, credits, report cards, transcripts, samples of student work, curriculum used, reading lists, and assessments.
Standardized Testing
Mississippi does not require homeschool students to participate in annual state standardized testing simply because they are homeschooled.
Parent Teacher Qualifications
Mississippi does not require a parent teaching their own child through a home instruction program to hold a teaching certificate, college degree, specific diploma, or obtain approval from the Mississippi Department of Education.
Curriculum Freedom
Mississippi does not require homeschool families to use state-approved curriculum, public school textbooks, Mississippi public school course standards, a specific online program, or an accredited curriculum.
Graduation
Mississippi does not establish a separate state homeschool graduation program requiring homeschool students to complete the same graduation requirements imposed upon Mississippi public school students. The homeschool administrator may establish the student's educational program and determine when the student has completed the requirements of that homeschool program.
Alabama Church School Services for Mississippi Families
Mississippi families are not legally required to enroll with a cover school. However, families may choose to enroll with Alabama Church School for curriculum, enrollment documentation, attendance resources, academic records, report cards, transcripts, diplomas, graduation documentation, student records, educational support, and other available services.
Enrollment with Alabama Church School does not replace the Mississippi parent's responsibility to complete the annual Mississippi Certificate of Enrollment or comply with other applicable Mississippi requirements.
Mississippi Homeschool Law References
- Mississippi Code § 37-13-91 — Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance Law
- Mississippi State Board of Education Rule 30.7 — Home School Guidelines
- Mississippi Department of Education Office of Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement and Dropout Prevention
This summary is informational and families should review current state law and official state guidance because requirements and procedures may change.
How Alabama Church School supports Mississippi families
ACS does not replace your state's homeschool requirements — it gives families complete curriculum, academic records, transcripts, diplomas, and documentation while you continue satisfying Mississippi law.
Nearby state homeschool guides
Families moving to or from Mississippi often review these states next.