Homeschooling in Mississippi: Laws & Requirements (2026)

Mississippi offers some of the most straightforward homeschooling in the nation. File a certificate of enrollment annually, and you've satisfied your legal obligations. No testing, no required subjects, no curriculum approval, no instructional hour requirements.

Mississippi calls homeschools "home study programs"—a term you'll see in official documents. The law essentially asks one question: is this program operated in good faith to educate children, or is it a scheme to avoid compulsory attendance? As long as you're genuinely educating your child, Mississippi respects your right to do so on your own terms.

This guide covers the enrollment process, what the certificate includes, and practical considerations for Mississippi homeschooling. For parents coming from higher-regulation states or public school, Mississippi's approach may feel remarkably liberating.

Mississippi Homeschool Requirements at a Glance

Understanding Mississippi's Home Study Framework

Mississippi's approach to homeschooling is distinctively minimal. The state recognizes that parents have the primary right and responsibility to educate their children. Once you file your certificate of enrollment, you make all educational decisions.

What "home study program" means: This is Mississippi's legal term for homeschooling. Your home becomes a school with you as the administrator. There's no distinction between homeschools and other private educational arrangements.

The good faith requirement: Mississippi's only meaningful restriction is that home study programs cannot be "operated or instituted for the purpose of avoiding or circumventing the compulsory attendance law"^[1]. In practice, this means you must genuinely educate your child—but the state doesn't define what genuine education looks like. That's your call.

No curriculum oversight: Unlike states that require specific subjects or curriculum approval, Mississippi stays out of your educational choices. Classical education, Charlotte Mason, unschooling, textbook-based programs, online curricula—all are equally valid under Mississippi law.

How to Start Homeschooling in Mississippi

Who Can File the Certificate

The certificate of enrollment must be filed by someone with authority over the child's education^[1]:

Eligible filers: - Parent (biological or adoptive) - Court-appointed guardian - Person with present care or custody of the child

Practical note: If you share custody or have a non-traditional family arrangement, the person primarily responsible for the child's education should file. Mississippi doesn't require both parents to sign or agree—the filing adult takes responsibility for the home study program.

Grandparents and relatives: If you're homeschooling a grandchild or other relative in your care, you can file the certificate as the person with "present care or custody." Document your care arrangement appropriately.

The Freedom of No Required Subjects

Mississippi is one of few states that doesn't mandate specific subjects for homeschoolers. While public schools must cover certain content, home study programs have complete curriculum freedom.

What this means in practice: You decide what to teach, when to teach it, and how to evaluate progress. A family prioritizing classical languages and literature has the same legal standing as one emphasizing STEM or vocational skills.

The practical approach: Despite no legal requirements, most families cover traditional subjects—reading, writing, math, science, social studies—because they're foundational and expected for high school completion. Freedom from requirements doesn't mean ignoring core skills; it means tailoring education to your child's needs and your family's values.

High school considerations: Colleges expect certain coursework regardless of state requirements. Plan high school with post-secondary goals in mind: English, math through algebra II minimum, laboratory sciences, social studies, and often foreign language.

No Testing—What This Means For You

Mississippi requires no standardized testing or assessments for home study students. You evaluate your child's progress entirely on your own terms.

Benefits of this approach: - No teaching to tests - Complete flexibility in pacing - Freedom to address individual learning needs - No external pressure on students

Consider testing anyway: Many Mississippi homeschool families choose to administer standardized tests for their own purposes—to identify strengths and gaps, practice for college entrance exams, or simply benchmark against national norms. Iowa Test, Stanford Achievement Test, or similar assessments are available through homeschool testing services.

College entrance exams: While Mississippi doesn't require K-12 testing, colleges typically require SAT or ACT scores. Plan for these tests during high school regardless of state requirements.

Record-Keeping: Why It Matters Without Requirements

Mississippi doesn't require you to maintain specific records, but thoughtful documentation serves your family's interests.

Why keep records even when not required: - High school transcripts: Colleges need documented coursework, grades, and credits. You can't create these retroactively. - Returning to public school: If circumstances change, records help with appropriate grade placement. - Special situations: Custody disputes, moves to other states, or scholarship applications may require educational documentation. - Personal accountability: Records help you track progress, identify gaps, and adjust your approach.

Recommended records: - Curriculum descriptions and materials used - Work samples showing progress over time - Reading lists - Grades or evaluations (your format) - Attendance log (even approximate) - Extracurricular activities and accomplishments

Recommended Record-Keeping Practices

High School, Graduation & Beyond

Mississippi homeschool parents set graduation requirements and issue diplomas. The state doesn't recognize a "homeschool diploma" because it doesn't need to—your diploma is as valid as any private school's.

Transcript creation: For college applications, create a professional transcript documenting courses, grades, credits, and graduation date. Include your grading scale and brief course descriptions. Mississippi colleges are familiar with homeschool transcripts.

Community colleges: Mississippi's community college system is homeschool-friendly. Students can enroll with a transcript and ACT/SAT scores. Dual enrollment is available for high school students seeking college credit.

Universities: Mississippi's public universities (University of Mississippi, Mississippi State, etc.) admit homeschoolers based on transcripts and standardized test scores. Some may request additional documentation or interviews.

Career and technical paths: Not all students pursue four-year degrees. Mississippi's community colleges and technical schools offer career training. Document skills-based education appropriately for these applications.

Sports and Extracurricular Access

Mississippi does not have a law guaranteeing homeschool access to public school sports or extracurricular activities. Participation is at individual district discretion, and most districts don't allow it.

Building alternatives: Mississippi's homeschool community has developed robust athletic and extracurricular options. Statewide and regional organizations coordinate sports leagues, academic competitions, and social activities. Many families find these homeschool-specific opportunities superior for scheduling and values alignment.

Community options: YMCA programs, private sports leagues, community theater, church activities, and similar programs welcome homeschoolers. Building a diverse activity schedule is manageable without public school access.

Financial Assistance

Mississippi offers limited funding for homeschoolers through the Education Scholarship Account (ESA) Program, but eligibility is restricted to students with special needs^[2].

ESA Program details: - Available to students with documented disabilities - Funds can cover approved educational expenses - Application through the Mississippi Department of Education - Not available to general homeschool population

For most families: Mississippi doesn't provide general homeschool funding, tax credits, or vouchers. Educational expenses are the family's responsibility.

Budget-friendly homeschooling: Many Mississippi families homeschool effectively on modest budgets. Public libraries offer free resources. Used curriculum exchanges are active. Online resources—including many free options—expand choices. Homeschooling doesn't require expensive programs.

Special Situations

Starting mid-year: Mississippi allows you to begin homeschooling at any point during the school year. File your certificate of enrollment immediately upon starting—the September 15 deadline applies to families already homeschooling when the school year begins.

Moving to Mississippi: Submit your certificate of enrollment to your new local school district's attendance officer. Mississippi doesn't require documentation from your previous state. You're starting fresh under Mississippi's minimal requirements.

Moving from Mississippi: Research your new state's requirements before moving. Mississippi's minimal documentation may leave you without records other states expect. Prepare transcripts and gather work samples before relocating.

Returning to public school: Students re-enrolling will be placed based on age and school assessment. Having records—even optional ones—facilitates appropriate grade placement.

Special needs: Students with disabilities may qualify for the ESA program. Additionally, some services may be available through local school districts. Contact your district's special education office to explore options.

The Bottom Line

Mississippi offers homeschooling freedom that parents in many states envy. File your certificate of enrollment by September 15, and you've met your legal obligations. No testing, no required subjects, no curriculum approval, no instructional hour mandates.

This freedom places responsibility squarely on parents. You determine what quality education means for your child. Most families find this empowering—the ability to tailor education to individual needs, family values, and future goals without bureaucratic oversight.

Your first step is simple: obtain the certificate of enrollment form from your local school district or the Mississippi Department of Education, complete it, and submit by September 15 (or immediately if starting mid-year). From there, the educational choices are entirely yours.