Mississippi Homeschool Laws
Mississippi law calls homeschools home study programs, and it is the state’s one homeschool option. School is required starting the year a child turns 6 on or before September 1. It continues at least until the year the child turns 17 on or before September 1. Also, a 5-year-old enrolled in full-day public kindergarten must attend. To start, file a certificate of enrollment with your district’s school attendance officer. File it every year on or before August 15, or when you begin midyear.
Day to day, Mississippi gives families wide freedom. There is no state testing. You choose your own subjects, and there is no minimum number of school days. Parents need no teaching qualifications. The law only says a home program cannot be set up to avoid the attendance law. The certificate asks for names, address, phone, birth date, and a simple description of your program. Keep a copy for your records. Public school classes and sports are up to each district. For full details on each topic, open the sections below.
A child must start school in the year the child will be 6 on or before September 1 and continue at least until the year the child will be 17 on or before September 1. The requirement also applies to a 5-year-old enrolled in full-day public kindergarten (HSLDA: Compulsory School Age in Mississippi).
Mississippi has one homeschool option, the home study program (HSLDA: Mississippi Homeschool Laws).
None. Parents choose the subjects. The 180-day rule for public schools does not apply to home instruction programs (HSLDA).
Every year, on or before August 15, submit a certificate of enrollment to the school attendance officer of your resident district. It lists the parent’s and child’s names, address, and phone number; the child’s birth date; and a “simple description” of the type of education. If you start midyear, file it then. It must be submitted by the parent, a court-appointed guardian, or another person with present care or custody of the child (HSLDA).
No attendance records are required. Keep a copy of your certificate of enrollment (HSLDA).
None (HSLDA).
No state law gives homeschoolers the right to join public school classes or activities. Each school or district decides, and policies vary. Contact your local school about its policy (HSLDA: Public School Access in Mississippi).
None for homeschoolers, according to HSLDA (HSLDA).
- HSLDA: Mississippi Homeschool Laws, How to Comply with Mississippi’s Homeschool Law (updated October 22, 2026), Compulsory School Age in Mississippi, and Public School Access in Mississippi
Last reviewed: November 8, 2026
*The information on this page is for general use only. It should not be taken as legal advice. It is believed to be accurate however state and federal laws change every year. Homeschool.net recommends joining an organization such as the Home School Legal Defense Association before your homeschooling adventure begins. HSLDA can provide complete, accurate, legal advice and services for homeschooling families.
Update History
No changes in law noted since this page was first published.