Missouri Homeschool Requirements Checklist
Everything you need to do to homeschool legally in Missouri, based on Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.031. Missouri is classified as Low regulation.
This is the general checklist for Home School Under Section 167.031, the most common of Missouri's 2 pathways. Our free wizard customizes this for your family, including grade, pathway, enrollment status, and IEP.
Your compliance checklist
Do first
Withdrawal letter recommended
A formal letter isn't required, but it is recommended if your child is enrolled in school. Send it to school principal or superintendent.
Deadline: Before you start (if enrolled)
More details
Not legally mandated by statute, but practically necessary to prevent truancy proceedings if a child was previously enrolled. Cite Section 167.031. Send via certified mail or method providing proof of receipt. District cannot require curriculum plans or reasons for withdrawal. Request copies of academic and immunization records at time of withdrawal.
Ongoing
Required subjects
reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science
More details
At least 600 of the 1,000 required instructional hours must be in these five core subjects, of which at least 400 hours must occur at the regular home school location. No curriculum approval required; no mandated textbooks or standards.
Meet instructional time requirements
Minimum: 1000 hours/year. You must track and document hours.
More details
1,000 total hours per year. At least 600 hours must be in the five core subjects. Of those 600, at least 400 must be at the home school location. School year runs July 1 to June 30. No required number of school days. Hours may be distributed across the calendar year at the family's discretion.
Keep basic records
You must maintain: attendance records, student portfolio.
More details
Parents must maintain: (1) a plan book, diary, daily log, or other written record of subjects taught and activities; (2) a portfolio of student academic work samples; (3) a record of evaluation of academic progress. Records are NOT submitted to any authority. They serve as evidence in the event of a DFS/Children's Division investigation for educational neglect. School districts have no authority to request or review records. Retain high school records permanently for transcript purposes.
Good news
No notification required
Missouri does not require you to notify anyone to begin homeschooling.
No testing or assessment required
No standardized testing or assessments required under this pathway.
Education savings: Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program
Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program: ~$6,375-$7,145 base; up to 175% for students with disabilities — Statewide (geographic restriction removed by SB 727, 2024). Students with an IEP, or low-income families (up to 300% of free/reduced lunch threshold) who meet prior public-school attendance, kindergarten entry, or sibling criteria.
More details
Not a universal program — income/disability gated. Statewide since SB 727 (2024). Includes 'Family Paced Education' category for homeschool families.
Ongoing requirements
Required subjects
- ✓reading
- ✓language arts
- ✓mathematics
- ✓social studies
- ✓science
At least 600 of the 1,000 required instructional hours must be in these five core subjects, of which at least 400 hours must occur at the regular home school location. No curriculum approval required; no mandated textbooks or standards.
Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.031.2 (five core subjects; 600 hours minimum)
Instructional time
- Hours per year:
- 1000
1,000 total hours per year. At least 600 hours must be in the five core subjects. Of those 600, at least 400 must be at the home school location. School year runs July 1 to June 30. No required number of school days. Hours may be distributed across the calendar year at the family's discretion.
Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.031.2 (1,000 hours total; 600 in core subjects; 400 at home location)
Recordkeeping
- ✓Attendance records
- ✓Student portfolio
Parents must maintain: (1) a plan book, diary, daily log, or other written record of subjects taught and activities; (2) a portfolio of student academic work samples; (3) a record of evaluation of academic progress. Records are NOT submitted to any authority. They serve as evidence in the event of a DFS/Children's Division investigation for educational neglect. School districts have no authority to request or review records. Retain high school records permanently for transcript purposes.
Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.031.2 (plan book or daily log, portfolio, evaluation record)
What you don't need to worry about
No notification required
Missouri does not require you to notify anyone to begin homeschooling.
No testing or assessment required
No standardized testing or assessments required under this pathway.
Education savings: Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program
Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program: ~$6,375-$7,145 base; up to 175% for students with disabilities — Statewide (geographic restriction removed by SB 727, 2024). Students with an IEP, or low-income families (up to 300% of free/reduced lunch threshold) who meet prior public-school attendance, kindergarten entry, or sibling criteria.
Other ways to homeschool in Missouri
This checklist covers Home School Under Section 167.031, the most common pathway. Missouri offers 2 different ways to homeschool, each with different requirements:
- •Home School Under Section 167.031(this checklist) : You teach at home with no notification, no registration, and no approval required — Missouri law explicitly prohibits regulation beyond what the statute specifies. You provide 1,000 hours of instruction per year (600 in core subjects, 400 at home), maintain a log and portfolio, but never submit them to anyone. No testing required.
- •Private School / Umbrella (Cover) School Enrollment : You enroll in a private umbrella (cover) school and operate under its framework. The school handles compliance documentation, provides transcripts and formal records, and offers a school name on your child's records. You still teach at home and meet the same 1,000-hour standard. Best for families who want formal transcripts or administrative structure.
Our wizard helps you choose the right one. Compare all pathways for Missouri
Education savings available
Missouri offers Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program. Learn about ESA programs
Related guides
Get your personalized checklist
This is the general checklist for the most common pathway. The wizard customizes it for your family's specific situation, including grade, pathway, and IEP status.
Get your Missouri checklistRequirements sourced from Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.031. Verified against primary legal sources. Last verified: March 2026