How to start homeschooling in Missouri
The legal steps, in order, checked against Missouri law.
Short answer: Missouri lets a parent meet the compulsory attendance law by enrolling a child in a home school. The parent must provide at least 1,000 hours of instruction a year, including 600 hours in core subjects, and keep records such as a log, a portfolio of work samples, and a record of evaluations. A parent who withdraws a child from a public school gives the district written notice so the child is dropped from its rolls.
Checked against RSMo 167.031 on Nov 8, 2026. Compulsory school ages: 7 to 17 (or until the student has completed 16 credits toward high school graduation). This is what the law says, not legal advice.
Home school
Parents teaching their own children, with no more than four unrelated children enrolled and no tuition or fees charged for instruction.
Steps
- Confirm your home school fits the legal definition: its main purpose is private or faith-based instruction, it enrolls children from 7 to the compulsory attendance age with no more than four unrelated within the third degree, and it charges no tuition or fees for instruction.
- If the child is enrolled in a public school, give the district where the child lives written notice that you are pursuing another educational option and ask that the child be dropped from its rolls.
- Plan at least 1,000 hours of instruction for the school year, which runs July 1 to June 30. At least 600 hours must be in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, or closely related academic subjects, and at least 400 of those 600 hours must take place at the home school's regular location.
- Keep a plan book, diary, or other written log of subjects and activities, a portfolio of samples of the child's work, and a record of evaluations of academic progress, or other written evidence that is equivalent.
| Notice to the state | Yes To: The public school district where the child lives When: When withdrawing a child from the district, to ask that the child be dropped from its rolls |
|---|---|
| Subjects | At least 600 of the 1,000 hours in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, or closely related academic subjects suited to the child's age and ability. The state may not set a statewide curriculum for home schools. |
| Time | At least 1,000 hours per school year, with at least 600 core hours, 400 of them at the home school's regular location. These hour rules do not apply to students 16 or older. |
| Parent qualifications | None required by law |
| Testing or evaluation | None required by law. Records must include a record of evaluations of the child's academic progress. |
| Records to keep | A plan book, diary, or other written log of subjects and activities, a portfolio of the child's academic work samples, and a record of academic evaluations, or other written or credible evidence that is equivalent. A daily log showing compliance is a defense to prosecution for truancy or educational neglect. |
The law: RSMo 167.031 RSMo 167.012 RSMo 167.042
Leaving public school mid-year
RSMo 167.042 requires a parent who intends to pursue another educational option to give written notice to the public school district where the child lives asking that the child be dropped from its rolls. The school must comply promptly.
High school, transcripts and diplomas
For home school students, a completed credit toward graduation means 100 or more hours of instruction in a course. The hour and subject requirements do not apply to students 16 or older.
Public school sports and activities
Yes, with conditions. RSMo 167.790 lets students taught at home or in an FPE school try out for and join events and activities of the district or charter school where they live. The district may not require them to attend classes to take part, with some exceptions for fine arts, career and technical student organizations, and integrated cocurricular activities. Students must prove residency, provide a sports physical, and meet the same conduct, performance, and financial requirements as other students.
After the paperwork
Common questions
Do I have to tell the state I am homeschooling in Missouri?
Yes, under the home school route, you notify the public school district where the child lives when withdrawing a child from the district, to ask that the child be dropped from its rolls.
Is testing required for homeschoolers in Missouri?
No. Missouri law does not require testing under the home school route. Records must include a record of evaluations of the child's academic progress.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Missouri?
At least 600 of the 1,000 hours in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, or closely related academic subjects suited to the child's age and ability. The state may not set a statewide curriculum for home schools.
What ages must be schooled in Missouri?
Ages 7 to 17 (or until the student has completed 16 credits toward high school graduation), per state law.
Sources
We read each source on Nov 8, 2026 and recheck every guide each quarter. Laws change. If something here no longer matches the state, write to us and we will fix it.