Homeschooling in Michigan: How To Homeschool While Following State Laws

by Rita Onyx

This is meant to be a summary and NOT legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under.

Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular. Just in the last years alone, homeschooling rose up by 700%. What was once seen as old-fashioned and outdated is now a modern way to educate the next generation.

There are many benefits to homeschooling; it gives parents freedom in choosing the curriculums and subjects their children learn. Remote learning also ensures their children are kept safe, away from potential dangers like bullying or viruses in public schools. It’s a win-win situation.

Thinking of homeschooling your children too? Then follow this quick guide on how to homeschool your children if you live in Michigan. Know the Michigan homeschool state laws and regulations in your state so you can homeschool properly.

Quick Facts:

There are two ways to homeschool:

1. Homeschool statute
2. Non-public school

Requirements:

• Children between 6-18 of age must be in school

• You DO NOT need to notify your local school district if you homeschool under the statute

• You must notify your local school district of your intentions if you are choosing to homeschool as a non-public school

• There are NO teacher qualifications if you homeschool under the homeschool statute

• You DO need to be a certified teacher if you homeschool as a non-public school

• There ARE state mandated subjects

• There are NO required assessments or testing

• There are NO immunization requirements

How to Homeschool Under the Homeschool Statute

• You do not need to notify the local superintendent

• Subjects should include:

a) Math

b) Reading

c) Spelling

d) Science

e) Literature

f) Writing

g) History

h) English

i) Civics

How to Homeschool as a Non-Public School

• Confirm that the instructor has one of the following:

a) Teaching certificate

b) Teaching permit

c) Bachelor’s degree

• If you are a parent who will be the instructor and has a religious objection to a teacher certification then you do not have to meet any of the above teacher requirements

• Every year you must notify the superintendent of the local public school the following for each student:

a) Name

b) Age

c) Number or name of the school district

d) Name of city or township and county where the parent lives

e) Name and address of the parent

f) Name and age of any child enrolled in the school who will not be attending regularly

• Subjects must include:

1. Math
2. Reading
3. Science
4. Social Studies
5. Reading
6. English
7. Health
8. Physical education
9. High school subjects must also include:
10. U. S. Constitution
11. Michigan Constitution
12. History and present form of civil government in the US, Michigan
13. Michigan’s political subdivisions and municipalities

Helpful links:

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/home_schools_122555_7.pdf

https://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/non-public-education/regulation-map/michigan.html

https://mihomeschoolconnections.com/homeschooling-in-michigan-legal/

https://michn.org/quick-start-guide-to-homeschooling-in-michigan/

https://michiganvirtual.org/students/homeschool-programs/

Contact Information–State and Federal Departments of Education

• Michigan Department of Education
  P.O. Box 30008
  608 West Allegan St.
  Lansing, MI 48909
  Phone: (517) 373-1833
  Fax: (517) 241-0496
  Website: http://www.michigan.gov/mde/

• U.S. Department of Education, Michigan

This is meant to be a summary and NOT legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under.