Missouri Homeschool Requirements Checklist
Everything you need to do to homeschool legally in Missouri, based on Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.012; Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.031. Missouri is classified as Low regulation.
This is the general checklist for Home School Under Section 167.012, 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)
Ongoing
Required subjects
reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science
Meet instructional time requirements
Minimum: 1000 hours/year. You must track and document hours.
Keep basic records
You must maintain: attendance records, student portfolio.
More details
Portfolio must include: plan book or daily log, work samples, evaluation record.
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.
Ongoing requirements
Required subjects
- ✓reading
- ✓language arts
- ✓mathematics
- ✓social studies
- ✓science
Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.012 (five core subjects; 600 hours minimum)
Instructional time
- Hours per year:
- 1000
Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.012 (1,000 hours total; 600 in core subjects; 400 at home location)
Recordkeeping
Varies by pathway. Home School Under Section 167.012: ["plan_book_or_daily_log","work_samples","evaluation_record"]; Private School / Umbrella (Cover) School Enrollment: undefined
- ✓Attendance records
- ✓Student portfolio
Portfolio must include:
- •plan book or daily log
- •work samples
- •evaluation record
Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.012 (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 167.012, the most common pathway. Missouri offers 2 different ways to homeschool, each with different requirements:
- •Home School Under Section 167.012(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
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 167.012; Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.031. Verified against primary legal sources. Last verified: March 2026