Homeschooling in Mississippi

Legal Framework

Homeschooling in Mississippi is governed by the Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance Law, §37-13-91 of the Mississippi Code (1972 Annotated). Under this law, a child may be educated in a "legitimate home instruction program" by a parent, guardian, or custodian. Mississippi is widely regarded as one of the most homeschool-friendly states in the country, with minimal regulation and maximum parental freedom.

Compulsory Education Ages

Children ages 6 through 17 are subject to compulsory education requirements. If your child has not yet turned 6 or has turned 17, you are not subject to the compulsory attendance law. There is no requirement for kindergarten unless you choose to enroll your child.

Annual Enrollment Form

The single compliance step is straightforward: every family who wishes to homeschool children of compulsory school age must complete an enrollment form with the local School Attendance Officer each year, as required by §37-13-91(2)(c). This form typically asks for:

• The name, address, and date of birth of each child being homeschooled
• The name of the parent, guardian, or custodian providing instruction
• A statement that you are operating a legitimate home instruction program

This is a simple notice — not a request for approval. The state does not review or approve your curriculum, methods, or qualifications.

No Required Subjects

Mississippi does not specify required subjects for homeschool instruction. You have complete freedom to design your curriculum around your child's needs, interests, and educational goals. While there are no mandated subject areas, most families cover core academics including reading, writing, math, science, and social studies as a matter of good practice.

No Teacher Qualifications

Mississippi does not require any teaching credentials, college degrees, or certifications for homeschool parents. Any parent, guardian, or custodian may provide home instruction.

Instructional Days

The law references 180 days of instruction, which is the same as the public school calendar. While there is no daily hour requirement, operating on a schedule that roughly mirrors the school year helps demonstrate that your program is "legitimate" if questions arise.

What Makes a "Legitimate" Home Instruction Program?

The law states that a home instruction program must not be "operated or instituted for the purpose of avoiding or circumventing the compulsory attendance law." In practice, this means you are genuinely educating your children, not simply filing paperwork to avoid truancy. As long as you are providing real instruction, you are on solid legal ground.

Record Keeping

Mississippi law does not specifically mandate record keeping for homeschoolers. However, maintaining basic records is strongly recommended — attendance logs, curriculum materials, and work samples will protect you if your status is ever questioned and are essential for college applications, military enlistment, or transferring to a public or private school.

Education Scholarship Account (Special Needs)

Mississippi offers an Education Scholarship Account (ESA) through the Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Act, enacted in 2015. This program provides funding to families of children with special needs who leave the public school system.

• Eligibility: The student must reside in Mississippi and have had an active Individualized Education Plan (IEP) within the past three years
• Award Amount: For the 2024–2025 school year, the maximum reimbursement was approximately $7,829 per student [VERIFY 2025-2026 amount]
• Allowable Expenses: Private school tuition, tutoring, textbooks, curriculum, educational therapies, and other approved educational costs
• Application: Families apply through the Mississippi Department of Education. Due to limited funding, eligible applicants may be placed on a waitlist
• Renewal: Once enrolled, participating students are automatically approved for the following year without reapplication

No General Homeschool Funding

For families without a special-needs child, Mississippi does not offer any state ESA, voucher, tax credit, or deduction for homeschool expenses. There is no state-level financial support for general homeschoolers.

Federal Tax-Advantaged Accounts

• Coverdell Education Savings Account — Save up to $2,000 per child per year tax-free for K–12 expenses
• 529 College Savings Plans — Mississippi's 529 plan (MACS) allows tax-free growth, and up to $10,000 per year may be used for K–12 tuition under federal law. Mississippi also offers a state income tax deduction for 529 contributions of up to $10,000 per year ($20,000 for married filing jointly)

Extracurricular Access

Mississippi currently does not have a statewide law granting homeschooled students the right to participate in public school extracurricular activities. Access is decided at the individual school or district level, and policies vary widely. However, the Mississippi House of Representatives passed the Tim Tebow Act in early 2025 by a vote of 76–26, which would grant homeschoolers access to public school sports and activities. As of early 2026, the bill's final status should be verified. [VERIFY final passage of Tim Tebow Act]