American Home Schools

Mississippi has a minimal amount of regulation that families must follow to legally home school. A legitimate home instruction program is defined as one that is not "operated for the purpose of avoiding or circumventing the compulsory attendance law."

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Summary:

Any parent is permitted by law to teach his or her own children in a home instruction program. The state has a minimal amount of regulation that families must follow to legally home school. A legitimate home instruction program is defined as one that is not "operated for the purpose of avoiding or circumventing the compulsory attendance law."

By September 15 of each year, parents are required to submit a certificate of enrollment for each child age 6-17 by September 1. (If you have children older or younger, you are not required for submit a certificate for them.) The certificate card - available from your city or county school attendance officer - should include names and address of the parents, the child's name and date of birth, and "a simple description of the type of education the children are receiving." You are not required by law to give your child's Social Security number. The card must be returned to the school attendance officer.

You may choose the curriculum that best suits your children's individual educational needs. Since repeal of the law in 1984, there are no state requirements for subjects that must be taught.