How to start homeschooling in Michigan
The legal steps, in order, checked against Michigan law.
Short answer: Michigan exempts a child from public school attendance when a parent or legal guardian educates the child at home in an organized educational program covering reading, spelling, mathematics, science, history, civics, literature, writing, and English grammar. No notice to the state or the school district is required for this route. A family may also register with the Michigan Department of Education as a nonpublic school, which is optional unless the child will receive public school services.
Checked against MCL 380.1561(3)(f), (4) on Nov 8, 2026. Compulsory school ages: 6 to 18 (until the 18th birthday, for children who turned 11 on or after December 1, 2009). This is what the law says, not legal advice.
Michigan gives you 2 legal ways to homeschool. Pick one and follow its steps.
Home education by parent or legal guardian, MCL 380.1561(3)(f)
Parents or legal guardians teaching their own children in the child's home who do not plan to use public school services.
Steps
- Confirm the instruction will be given by the child's parent or legal guardian in the child's home.
- Set up an organized educational program covering reading, spelling, mathematics, science, history, civics, literature, writing, and English grammar.
- If the child is enrolled in a school, the department suggests notifying that school of your intent to homeschool to avoid truancy reporting. This is a suggestion, not a legal requirement.
- Keep your own records, such as grades, progress reports, and later transcripts.
| Notice to the state | No notice required |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Reading, spelling, mathematics, science, history, civics, literature, writing, and English grammar |
| Time | None required by law |
| Parent qualifications | Must be the child's parent or legal guardian. No degree or certification required for this route. |
| Testing or evaluation | None required by law. The department says standardized testing at the local public school is available as an option. |
| Records to keep | None required by law. The department says parents are solely responsible for any records they keep, including grades, progress reports, transcripts, and diplomas. |
The law: MCL 380.1561(3)(f), (4)
Other legal routes
Michigan law also allows these. We have not confirmed their full rules, so ask the state education department before you choose one.
- Home school registered and approved as a nonpublic school, MCL 380.1561(3)(a): Families who want the child to receive public school services, such as special education through a Nonpublic School Service Plan, nonessential courses like band or choir, or dual enrollment.
Leaving public school mid-year
The department says notifying the current school is not required, but suggests telling the school of your intent to homeschool to avoid truancy reporting. Parents have no right to the physical copy of the school's student file. Each district has its own policy on access and copies.
High school, transcripts and diplomas
The department says parents are solely responsible for records, including transcripts and diploma issuance for high school completion.
After the paperwork
Common questions
Do I have to tell the state I am homeschooling in Michigan?
Not under the home education by parent or legal guardian, mcl 380.1561(3)(f) route.
Is testing required for homeschoolers in Michigan?
No. Michigan law does not require testing under the home education by parent or legal guardian, mcl 380.1561(3)(f) route. The department says standardized testing at the local public school is available as an option.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Michigan?
Reading, spelling, mathematics, science, history, civics, literature, writing, and English grammar
What ages must be schooled in Michigan?
Ages 6 to 18 (until the 18th birthday, for children who turned 11 on or after December 1, 2009), per state law.
Sources
We read each source on Nov 8, 2026 and recheck every guide each quarter. Laws change. If something here no longer matches the state, write to us and we will fix it.