HOME SCHOOLING IN MICHIGAN
The section of the Revised School Code that addresses home schools is located in the
Michigan Compiled Laws under MCL 380.1561.
Right to Home School
Michigan parents have the right to home school their children. The law requires a parent or
legal guardian of a child from the age of six to sixteen to send his or her child to school
during the entire school year, except under certain limited circumstances (MCL 380.1561).
The law was amended in 2010 to increase the compulsory school attendance age from 16 to
18 for a child who turned 11 after December 1, 2009, or who entered grade six after 2009.
The exceptions include, but are not limited to, sending a child to a state-approved nonpublic
school or educating a child at home in an organized educational program.
Who May Home School
Home school education is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian. The parent
assigns homework, gives tests and grades these tests. The issuance of report cards,
transcripts, and diplomas are the responsibility of the home school family (based on internal
standards). If home schooling continues through grade 12, the parent issues a high school
diploma to the graduate.
Reporting Process
The annual reporting of a home school to the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is
voluntary. It is not required unless the student is requesting eligible special education
services from the local public school or intermediate school district. It is recommended the
parent first submit a completed Nonpublic School Membership Report to MDE if special
education services will be requested. This form is available on the Michigan home school
website - www.michigan.gov/homeschool. Before special education services are established,
the school will contact MDE for verification that this process is complete. The home school
must register each school year to continue services. A list of registered home schools is
provided to intermediate school district superintendents each December and March or by
emailing nonpublicschools@michigan.gov.
It is not required that a parent inform their local school of the decision to home school,
however, it is suggested. Failure to do so may result in the student being marked absent
and the involvement of the truancy officer. Notification may be a phone call or a written
note to the district. Keep in mind that a written note can be placed in the student’s school
record indicating when the student has withdrawn from the school district.
Teacher Requirement
A parent or legal guardian who home schools his or her child is not required to hold a valid
Michigan teaching certificate, permit, or occupational authorization.
A parent or legal guardian reporting to MDE must have a minimum bachelor’s degree to be
approved unless they claim a sincerely held religious belief against teacher certification
(People v DeJonge). Reporting is required if the parent or legal guardian is seeking eligible
special education services for their child(ren).