Homeschooling in Mississippi
Certificate of Enrollment Only
Mississippi is one of the easiest states to homeschool in. You must file a Certificate of Enrollment (COE) with your local School Attendance Officer annually. Beyond that, there are no mandates for specific subjects, testing, or teacher qualifications.
Quick Reference
School Days
-
No minimum
Hours Required
-
No minimum
Subjects
1
required
Notification
Yes
annual
Key Requirements at a Glance
- File Certificate of Enrollment by September 15th
- No state mandated curriculum
- No standardized testing required
- Parents do not need teaching certificates
Legal Framework
Mississippi Code § 37-13-91 governs compulsory school attendance and the homeschool exemption.
Required Subjects
Parents have complete freedom to choose curriculum.
None mandated
Filing Requirements
What to file
Certificate of Enrollment (COE)
When
September 15 (firm deadline). Mid-year: within 15 days of withdrawal.
Where
Local School Attendance Officer (SAO)
How to submit
Submit form to SAO
What to include
- • Simple description of educational program (e.g., 'Appropriate grade-level instruction')
**One of the easiest states**. NO testing, NO mandatory subjects, NO teacher qualifications. Immunization records NOT required. Tim Tebow Act (SB 2179) for sports access is pending for 2025 - currently discretionary.
Testing Requirements
Required: No
Frequency: N/A
Grades: N/A
None required.
How to Get Started
- 1
Complete Certificate of Enrollment
Fill out the mandatory 'Certificate of Enrollment' card/form.
- •Provide child's name, address, and date of birth
- •Provide parent's name and contact info
- •Briefly describe educational program (e.g. 'Instruction in core subjects')
Tip: Keep a copy for your records (proof of enrollment).By September 15th (or within 15 days of withdrawing)
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Extremely low regulation
- ✓Complete curriculum freedom
- ✓No testing
Cons
- •Lack of structure can be challenging for some
- •No state diploma
Sports & Activities
**Discretionary / Pending**. Generally **not allowed** unless the specific district permits it. The "Tim Tebow Act" (SB 2179) has been proposed for 2025 to mandate access, but check current status.
Questions about homeschooling in Mississippi
Do I need to test my child?
No. Mississippi has no testing requirement.
Does the school approve my curriculum?
No. You just describe it briefly on the COE (e.g., '5th grade coursework'). They do not approve or disapprove it.
Can I unschool in Mississippi?
Yes. Because there are no curriculum or subject requirements, unschooling is legal.
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Last updated: 2025-12-17 · MS homeschool law guide