Homeschooling in Michigan? Here’s your plan.

Under MCL 380.1561(3)(f), Michigan treats home education as an exemption from compulsory school attendance. You teach nine required subjects — reading, spelling, math, science, history, civics, literature, writing, and English grammar — and you do so as the parent or legal guardian. There are no minimum hours, no curriculum to submit, and no annual evaluation.

The self-executing nature of the law means there is no filing, no registration, and no one to notify. You simply meet the criteria and you are in compliance. While a withdrawal letter is not legally required, sending one to your child's school prevents truancy referrals.

What makes Michigan especially valuable for homeschool families is the shared-time program. Under MCL 388.1766, homeschool students can take up to two courses at their local public school. This opens access to specialized classes like chemistry labs, foreign languages, and advanced math. In many districts, shared-time participation also provides access to MHSAA athletics.

Michigan has two pathways. Home Education (the self-executing exemption) requires no credentials and no oversight. The Nonpublic School pathway requires teacher certification unless the school is operated by a religious organization, in which case the credential requirement is waived. Most families choose Home Education for its simplicity.

Shared-time enrollment. This is Michigan's standout feature. Your child can take up to two courses at the local public school — and in many cases this also qualifies them for MHSAA sports eligibility. Contact your district to confirm which courses are available and whether athletic participation is included.

Driver's education. Michigan has a constitutional requirement that driver's education be provided by a licensed provider. You cannot teach it at home. Plan to enroll your teen in a state-licensed driving school when the time comes.

Parent as instructor. Michigan law requires the parent or legal guardian to be the primary instructor under the Home Education pathway. You cannot delegate all instruction to a tutor or co-op teacher. You can supplement with co-ops, online courses, and shared-time classes, but the parent must direct the overall program.

High school. Parent-issued diplomas are recognized. Michigan does not require a GED or equivalency test. For college applications, prepare a transcript and course descriptions — Michigan public universities generally have homeschool admissions processes.

IEP and special needs. IEP services from the public school end when you withdraw. Homeschool students may qualify for a Nonpublic School Service Plan, which provides limited services (not a full IEP). Michigan's Blaine Amendment (Art 8, Section 2) blocks public funds from going to nonpublic schools, so there is no ESA or scholarship program for homeschoolers.

The DeJonge protection. If you ever face pushback, People v. DeJonge is your primary legal reference. The Michigan Supreme Court was unequivocal: the state cannot impose teacher credential requirements on homeschool parents exercising their religious rights.