Homeschooling in Missouri

Legal Framework

Homeschooling in Missouri is governed by Revised Statutes of Missouri, Section 167.031 (RSMo 167.031). Missouri is known for its low-regulation approach to homeschooling — no notification to the state, no approval process, and no standardized testing. Your obligations are straightforward: provide the required hours of instruction, cover the core subjects, and keep records.

Compulsory Education Ages

Missouri's compulsory education law covers children ages 7 through 17. The school year runs from July 1 through June 30. If your child is younger than 7 or has turned 17, they are not subject to the compulsory attendance requirement.

No Notification Required

One of Missouri's standout features: you do not need to notify anyone before you start homeschooling. There is no registration, no filing, and no approval process. You simply begin educating your child at home. Some counties require a Declaration of Enrollment to be filed with the recorder of deeds (notably the City of St. Louis), but this is a local requirement, not a state mandate. [VERIFY whether Declaration of Enrollment is still required in St. Louis]

Hour Requirements

Missouri requires at least 1,000 hours of instruction during each school year. These hours break down as follows:

• 600 hours minimum in the five core subjects (reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science)
• Of those 600 hours, at least 400 hours must be taught at your regular home school location
• The remaining 400 hours (of the total 1,000) can include any educational activity — field trips, music lessons, educational co-ops, physical education, art, and more

Required Subjects

Missouri mandates instruction in five core subjects:

• Reading — decoding, comprehension, fluency, and literature at grade-appropriate levels
• Language arts — writing, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and composition
• Mathematics — arithmetic, problem-solving, and grade-appropriate math concepts
• Social studies — history, geography, civics, government, and economics
• Science — life science, physical science, earth science, and scientific inquiry

Beyond these five, you are free to teach anything else you choose. Many families add art, music, foreign languages, physical education, and practical life skills.

Teacher Qualifications

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

Record Keeping

Under RSMo 167.031, you must maintain the following records:

• A plan book, diary, daily log, or other written record indicating the subjects taught and activities engaged in with the student
• A portfolio containing samples of the student's academic work
• A record of evaluation of the student's academic progress, or other written or credible evidence equivalent to these

You do not need to submit these records to anyone. They stay with you unless specifically requested in a legal proceeding (such as a custody dispute) or when transferring your child to a public school. Keep your records organized and accessible — they are your proof of compliance.

MOScholars Empowerment Scholarship Accounts

Missouri has one of the more interesting school-choice programs in the country: the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (MOScholars) Program, established in 2021 through HB 349 and SB 86. The program provides state tax credits to individuals and businesses that contribute to approved Educational Assistance Organizations (EAOs), which then fund ESAs for eligible students.

Key Details

• Eligibility: Starting in 2025, eligibility has expanded. Students may qualify if they have an IEP (Individualized Education Plan), meet income requirements (qualifying for free and reduced-price lunch), or are English language learners. No matter what school district you live in, you may be eligible.
• Family Paced Education (FPE): The program created a new designation called "Family Paced Education" that distinguishes ESA-using home educators from traditional homeschoolers. If you use MOScholars funds, you are classified as an FPE school rather than a homeschool.
• Allowable Uses: Private school tuition, textbooks, educational therapies, tutoring, curriculum, virtual school tuition, standardized tests, public school classes, extracurricular activities, approved technology, summer programs, after-school programs, and transportation

No General Tax Credit or Deduction

Outside of the MOScholars program, Missouri does not offer a general tax credit, deduction, or other financial benefit for homeschool expenses.

Federal Tax-Advantaged Accounts

• Coverdell ESA — Save up to $2,000 per child per year tax-free for K–12 expenses
• 529 Plans — Missouri offers the MOST 529 Education Plan with a state tax deduction of up to $8,000 per person ($16,000 for married couples) for contributions. Up to $10,000 per year may be used for K–12 tuition under federal law.

Extracurricular Access

Missouri has limited extracurricular access for homeschoolers. While some form of "Tim Tebow" legislation has been discussed, current law requires homeschooled students to be partially enrolled in public school classes to participate in public school sports and extracurricular activities through MSHSAA (Missouri State High School Activities Association). Legislative efforts to remove this enrollment requirement have been introduced but not yet passed as of early 2026. [VERIFY current status of Missouri extracurricular access legislation]