Homeschooling in Michigan? Here’s your plan.

Under MCL 380.1561(3)(f), Michigan treats home education as an exemption from compulsory school attendance. As the parent or legal guardian, you educate your child at home in an organized educational program in nine subjects: reading, spelling, mathematics, science, history, civics, literature, writing, and English grammar. There are no minimum hours or days, no curriculum to submit, no required records, and no annual evaluation.

There is no filing, no registration, and no one to notify. A withdrawal letter is not required by state law if your child leaves school, and there is no waiting period. MDE suggests telling your child's school that you intend to homeschool, which helps avoid truancy reporting.

Michigan's shared-time provision lets homeschooled students enroll in nonessential elective courses at their local public school. Contact your district to learn which courses are offered.

Michigan has two pathways. Home Education (MCL 380.1561(3)(f)) requires no credentials, no notice, and no oversight. The Nonpublic School pathway (MCL 380.1561(3)(a)) requires a curriculum comparable to public schools and no state testing; its school duties are set by statute. The nonpublic school, not the family, reports each enrolled child to the local or intermediate superintendent at the start of each school year (MCL 380.1578). Teachers need a teaching certificate (MCL 388.553), except for families whose religious convictions prohibit certified instructors (People v. DeJonge). If your home operates as the nonpublic school, those school duties are yours. Registering with the Michigan Department of Education is optional unless your child will receive public school services.

Shared-time enrollment. Your child can take nonessential elective courses at the local public school through Michigan's shared-time provision. Contact your district to confirm which courses are available. Some families use shared-time enrollment as a route to MHSAA athletics, subject to MHSAA rules and local policy, so ask the athletic director.

Driver's education. Michigan requires a state-approved driver's education course (MCL 257.312e). Parents cannot provide it at home, so plan to enroll your teen with an approved provider.

Parent as instructor. The home education exemption covers a child educated at home by his or her parent or legal guardian. You can supplement with co-ops, online courses, and shared-time classes while you direct the program.

High school. Parent-issued diplomas are recognized. You create the transcript and diploma; there is no state template.

IEP and special needs. Homeschooled students do not receive a full IEP while homeschooling, but they may qualify for a service plan with limited services. Your district or intermediate school district must also evaluate children suspected of having a disability under Child Find.

No state funding. Michigan has no ESA, voucher, or tax credit program for homeschoolers.

The DeJonge decision. In People v. DeJonge (1993), the Michigan Supreme Court held that the state's teacher certification requirement could not be applied to a family whose religious beliefs forbade it. Today the home education exemption has no certification requirement for any family.