Everything you need to know about homeschooling in Mississippi - one of the easiest states in the country. Just file a Certificate of Enrollment by September 15 each year. No testing, no curriculum requirements, no teacher qualifications. Updated for the 2025-2026 school year.
Mississippi is one of the easiest states in the country to homeschool. The state takes a minimal-regulation approach, requiring only that families file an annual Certificate of Enrollment with their local school district. Beyond that single filing, there are no testing requirements, no curriculum requirements, no subject mandates, and no teacher qualifications.
Under Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-91, homeschools qualify for exemption from compulsory attendance as a "legitimate home instruction program." The law gives parents complete discretion over curriculum, teaching methods, schedule, and assessment. The school district's role is limited to receiving your Certificate of Enrollment - they cannot deny it, approve your curriculum, or require anything beyond the certificate itself.
Mississippi has no subject requirements, no minimum hours, no minimum days, and no testing of any kind. The Certificate of Enrollment asks for only a brief "description of education being provided" - a simple, general statement is all that is needed. This is one of the lightest regulatory environments in the entire country.
Mississippi has a single, straightforward compliance path. Your homeschool operates as a legitimate home instruction program exempt from compulsory attendance under state law. There are no alternative pathways, umbrella schools, or complex options to navigate.
| Requirement | Mississippi Homeschool |
|---|---|
| Legal Basis | Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-91 |
| Notification | Certificate of Enrollment by September 15 |
| Attendance | No minimum days or hours |
| Teacher Qualification | None required |
| Required Subjects | None specified by law |
| Curriculum | No approval or standards required |
| Testing | None required |
| Record-Keeping | None required (recommended) |
Mississippi's compulsory attendance law (ages 6-17) includes an explicit exemption for home instruction programs. When you file a Certificate of Enrollment, you are formally declaring that your child is receiving education at home, which satisfies the compulsory attendance requirement. The district cannot deny your certificate or impose additional conditions.
Mississippi school districts cannot deny your Certificate of Enrollment, require curriculum approval, mandate testing, require specific subjects, or conduct home visits. Your certificate is a notification, not a request for permission.
Starting to homeschool in Mississippi is a simple process. The only formal requirement is filing a Certificate of Enrollment with your local school district attendance officer.
Keep the "description of education" simple and general. You do not need to list specific curriculum, textbooks, or a detailed plan. A one-sentence description is perfectly acceptable. Blue Folder can help you generate and track your Certificate of Enrollment. Try it free →
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Mississippi does not require a minimum number of school days, instructional hours, or specific school calendar. There are no attendance mandates of any kind. You set your own schedule entirely - school year-round, take breaks whenever you want, or follow the public school calendar if you prefer.
There is also no legal requirement to track attendance. The state does not ask for attendance logs, and you do not need to submit any records of your school days.
Even though Mississippi does not require attendance tracking, many experienced homeschool families keep basic records for their own reference. This is especially helpful if your child plans to attend college, transfer to public school, or if you want personal documentation of your program. Most families aim for 160-180 days of instruction per year.
Mississippi has no legal requirement to keep records beyond the Certificate of Enrollment itself. You are not required to maintain a portfolio, keep attendance logs, save work samples, or document your curriculum. This makes Mississippi one of the simplest states for homeschool compliance.
However, experienced families recommend keeping records for practical reasons, even though they are not legally required.
Even in a state with almost no requirements, keeping organized records makes your life easier. Use Blue Folder to track your filings, upload work samples, and build a compliance binder - so you always have documentation if you need it. Try it free →
Mississippi does not require any annual evaluation, testing, or assessment of homeschool students. There are no portfolio reviews, no standardized tests, and no progress reports to submit to anyone.
You are the sole judge of your child's educational progress. The state has no mechanism to evaluate or assess your homeschool program.
While not required, some families choose to administer standardized tests for their own purposes. Common options include:
While Mississippi does not require any testing, college-bound students will need ACT or SAT scores for admissions. Mississippi public universities (Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Southern Miss) accept homeschool graduates with parent-created transcripts and standardized test scores.
Mississippi has no required subjects. Parents have complete discretion over what to teach, how to teach it, and what materials to use. There is no mandated curriculum, no state standards to follow, and no subject-specific requirements of any kind.
The Certificate of Enrollment asks for a brief "description of education being provided," but this is a general statement - not a binding curriculum plan that will be reviewed or approved.
While not legally required, most Mississippi homeschool families cover a well-rounded set of subjects:
For college-bound students, covering a well-rounded set of subjects is highly recommended even though it is not legally required. Mississippi colleges look for transcripts that show coursework in English, math, science, social studies, and ideally foreign language.
Mississippi has just one deadline for homeschool families. This is one of the simplest compliance calendars in the country.
| When | What | Details |
|---|---|---|
| September 15 (annually) | Certificate of Enrollment | File with your local school district attendance officer. This is the only annual requirement. |
| When withdrawing | Withdrawal letter | If your child is currently in public school, notify the school of withdrawal before starting homeschool. |
| When starting mid-year | File Certificate immediately | If you begin homeschooling after September 15, file the Certificate when you start. |
The September 15 deadline is strict. Make sure to file your Certificate of Enrollment on time each year. This is the single most important compliance step for Mississippi homeschool families. Set a reminder for early September to make sure you do not miss it.
Mississippi offers limited formal programs for homeschoolers compared to some states, but the state's very low regulation is itself a significant benefit.
Mississippi currently does not offer ESA programs, vouchers, tax credits, or tax deductions specifically for homeschool families. School choice legislation has been discussed but no programs are currently available. All homeschool costs are borne by the family.
Mississippi public universities accept homeschool graduates. Admission typically requires:
Mississippi does not have a statewide law guaranteeing homeschool access to public school sports or extracurricular activities. Access is at each district's discretion. The MHSAA (Mississippi High School Activities Association) generally excludes homeschoolers from sanctioned competition.
Many Mississippi homeschool families participate in homeschool sports leagues, community recreation programs, club sports, and church leagues. Check with local homeschool groups for organized sports opportunities in your area.
Mississippi homeschool law is extremely simple, but new families still run into avoidable problems. Here are the most common ones.
The September 15 Certificate of Enrollment is the single most important thing you must do as a Mississippi homeschool family. Everything else is optional. Miss this one deadline and you could face truancy concerns. Blue Folder sends you reminders so you never miss it.
Don't miss your September 15 deadline
Blue Folder sends you reminders and keeps your Certificate of Enrollment on file automatically.
Track Mississippi ComplianceYes. File your Certificate of Enrollment by September 15 annually. This is the only hard deadline for Mississippi homeschool families, and missing it can create truancy concerns.
File the Certificate of Enrollment with your local school district when you begin. If you are withdrawing from public school, also send a withdrawal letter to the school.
A brief, general statement is sufficient. For example: "Core subjects including reading, mathematics, science, and history." You do not need to provide a detailed curriculum plan.
Not legally required, but strongly recommended for practical purposes - especially if your child plans to attend college or may return to public school. Keep copies of your Certificate of Enrollment, a basic transcript, and work samples.
At district discretion only. Mississippi does not have a statewide law guaranteeing access. Many homeschool families use homeschool sports leagues, club sports, and community recreation instead.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Homeschool laws can change. Always verify current requirements with the Mississippi Department of Education or consult a qualified attorney. For additional support, see the Mississippi Home Educators Association and HSLDA Mississippi page. Last updated February 2026.