How to Start Homeschooling in Missouri

Yes. Homeschooling is fully legal in Missouri.

Under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.031, a child who attends a home school is exempt from public school attendance. Section 167.012 defines a home school as a school whose primary purpose is private or religious-based instruction, that enrolls children between age 7 and the compulsory attendance age, no more than four of whom are unrelated to the family, and that does not charge tuition. A home school may not enroll children who participate in the MOScholars program.

Under Section 167.012.4, home school records are subject to review only by the local prosecuting attorney. A daily log showing that your home school meets the requirements is a defense to any prosecution under Section 167.031 and to any educational neglect charge.

Missouri compulsory education begins at age 7 under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.031. Your child must receive instruction from age 7 until turning 17, or until completing 16 credits toward high school graduation, whichever comes first.

Kindergarten is not mandatory. If your child is 5 or 6, you have no legal duty to start formal schooling. You can teach before 7 and after 17, and many families do, but the law only requires it during those years.

Here is exactly what to do to start homeschooling in Missouri.

Step 1: Decide to homeschool. Missouri does not require you to notify anyone, register anywhere, or seek approval.

Step 2: Withdraw your child (if enrolled). If your child is in public school, a withdrawal letter is recommended. Send it to the public school district where your child legally resides. Write: "I am withdrawing [child's name] from [school name] effective [date] to pursue home school instruction under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.012. Please drop my child from the district rolls under Section 167.042." Keep a copy, and request your child's academic and immunization records at the same time.

If your child has never been enrolled, skip this step.

Step 3: Choose your curriculum. At least 600 of your hours must be in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, or related academic courses. Beyond that, you choose everything. No approval needed and no mandated textbooks.

Step 4: Plan your hours. Offer at least 1,000 hours of instruction per year. At least 600 must be in the core subjects above, and at least 400 of those 600 must happen at your regular home school location. There is no required number of days and no daily minimum.

Step 5: Start keeping records. From day one, keep a plan book, diary, or other written record of subjects taught and activities, a portfolio of samples of your child's academic work, and a record of evaluations of your child's academic progress. Other written or credible evidence equivalent to these records also meets the law. You do not submit these to anyone.

Under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.012, at least 600 of your 1,000 hours must be in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, or academic courses related to those subjects and suited to your child's age and ability.

Beyond those subjects, you have wide freedom. No curriculum approval and no mandated textbooks. Religious, secular, classical, Charlotte Mason, unit studies: you pick the materials and the approach.

The statute does not list physical education, health, art, music, or foreign language among the core subjects. Your remaining hours give you room to follow your child's interests.

Missouri requires you to offer at least 1,000 hours of instruction per year under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.012.

Here is the breakdown:

• 1,000 total hours of instruction per year
• 600 of those hours must be in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, or related academic courses
• 400 of the 600 core hours must happen at your regular home school location

There is no required number of school days and no daily minimum. Year-round schooling, four-day weeks, and seasonal schedules all work.

Under Section 167.012.3, the hour and record requirements do not apply to a pupil 16 or older.

Missouri families usually homeschool in one of two ways.

Pathway 1: Home School Under Section 167.012. This is the standard choice. No notification, no registration, no testing, and no reporting. Keep your records, offer 1,000 hours, and teach the core subjects.

Pathway 2: Private School or Umbrella (Cover) School. Some families enroll with a private umbrella school and teach at home under its framework. Section 167.012 defines a home school as a school whose primary purpose is private or religious-based instruction, that enrolls no more than four children who are not related within the third degree, and that charges no tuition or fees for instruction. A parent teaching their own children at home meets that definition, so the same Section 167.012 rules apply: 1,000 hours of instruction, the five core subject areas, and the plan book, portfolio and evaluation records. No notice to the state or district is required.

Missouri also recognizes a "Family Paced Education" (FPE) school under Section 167.013. It follows the same hour and record rules as a home school and may enroll children who participate in MOScholars.

Keep records even though nobody collects them. Your log, portfolio, and evaluation record show that your child is receiving regular instruction. Under Section 167.012.4, home school records are subject to review only by the local prosecuting attorney, and a daily log is a defense to a prosecution under Section 167.031 or an educational neglect charge. Keep them from day one, and keep high school records for your child's transcript.

Build a transcript starting in 9th grade. Missouri has no state homeschool diploma. You issue your own diploma and create your own transcript. Include courses, grades, credits, and GPA.

Your child can play public school sports. Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.790 (effective August 28, 2025) gives homeschooled students access to public school activities, including sports. Contact your school's athletic director to ask about residency, physical exam, and conduct requirements.

Part-time public school classes are not guaranteed. Missouri law does not give homeschoolers an automatic right to attend individual classes. Access is at each district's discretion. Call your local school and ask.

Know how MOScholars fits. The Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program serves students with an IEP and income-eligible families, and eligibility is not universal. Under Section 167.012, a home school may not enroll children who participate in MOScholars. Families who use MOScholars at home do so as an FPE school under Section 167.013. Visit the Missouri State Treasurer's MOScholars page to apply.

Connect with other Missouri families. Families for Home Education (fhe-mo.org) is a statewide homeschool organization. Local co-ops offer classes, field trips, and community.