Missouri

Missouri has dedicated homeschool statutes but importantly, the state does not regulate or monitor homeschooling.

Key Statutes

No State Oversight

"The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does NOT regulate or monitor home schooling in Missouri. Neither the State Board of Education nor the Department have authority to issue regulations or guidelines concerning home schooling." — Missouri DESE

Missouri updated its homeschool laws with several important changes.

August 28, 2024 Changes

• Statute reorganization: Home school law moved to RSMo 167.012
• Subject flexibility: Changed "and" to "or" for core subjects, allowing more flexibility in how the 600 hours are distributed

August 28, 2025 Changes (NEW)

• RSMo 167.790 - Sports Access: Governor Kehoe signed SB 63 (Homeschoolers Sports Act)
• School districts cannot prohibit homeschool students from participating in events and activities
• Students must meet tryout requirements and attendance policies for practices/rehearsals

Missouri is one of the most freedom-friendly states for homeschooling. There is no required notification, registration, or approval process.

Step 1: Decide to Homeschool

Missouri does not require you to notify anyone, register with the state, get approval, or submit curriculum plans.

Step 2: If Withdrawing from School

If your child is currently enrolled, send a withdrawal letter to the school via certified mail.

Step 3: Begin Instruction and Recordkeeping

Start teaching and maintaining the required records.

Optional: Declaration of Enrollment

You MAY file a Declaration of Enrollment with the Recorder of Deeds, but most homeschool organizations recommend NOT doing this because it's not required, becomes public record, and can trigger unnecessary investigations.

What Missouri REQUIRES

What Missouri Does NOT Require

• No notification to state or district
• No registration or approval
• No standardized testing
• No curriculum approval
• No teacher qualifications
• No evaluator review
• No submission of records

School Year: July 1 to June 30

Missouri's primary compliance mechanism is hours of instruction.

Required Hours

What Counts as Instruction?

Textbook work, reading, educational games, field trips, co-op classes, music lessons, sports practice, educational videos, science experiments, library visits, and more.

Age 16+ Exception

Once your child turns 16, you are no longer required to track hours. You must still homeschool until age 17, but record-keeping requirements stop at 16.

Missouri requires three types of records, but you do not submit them to anyone unless there's a legal challenge.

Required Records

The Daily Log Defense

"The production of a daily log by a parent... showing that a home school has a course of instruction that satisfies the requirements of this section... shall be a defense to any prosecution under section 167.031 and to any charge or action for educational neglect."

Your daily log is your legal protection. Keep it accurate and up-to-date.

Record Retention

Keep at least 2 years of records at all times. For high school, keep all 4 years for transcript purposes.

Parent Authority

In Missouri, you determine graduation requirements, required credits, grading standards, and when your child graduates.

"We do not issue diplomas or keep transcripts for homeschooling." — Missouri DESE

You create and issue the diploma yourself.

Early Graduation (Before Age 17)

If you want your child to graduate before age 17, you must track "statutory credits":

• 1 statutory credit = 100+ hours of instruction in a course
• 16 statutory credits = eligible for early graduation

College Admission

Missouri colleges welcome homeschoolers. Missouri State University offers a free homeschool transcript template. General tips: detailed transcripts, ACT/SAT, document activities, consider dual enrollment.

NEW: RSMo 167.790 - Homeschoolers Sports Act (Effective August 28, 2025)

Missouri passed SB 63, granting homeschool students access to public school sports and activities.

"A school district or charter school shall not prohibit a student receiving instruction at... [a] home school... from participating in any event or activity offered by the charter school or by the school district in which the student resides."

Available Activities

• Athletics (football, basketball, soccer, track, etc.)
• Fine Arts (band, choir, orchestra, theater, dance)
• Cocurricular (debate, academic teams, clubs)

Requirements for Participation

Successfully complete tryouts (if applicable), meet attendance requirements for practices/rehearsals, follow same standards of behavior, pay same fees, reside in district boundaries.

What Schools Cannot Require

Enrollment in academic courses or minimum course-load requirements as a condition of participation.

Compulsory Attendance Age

Ages 7-17 — Begins at age 7 (or earlier if child was enrolled before age 7) and ends at age 17.

Special Education

Missouri allows homeschooled students with disabilities to access public school special education services. Contact your local school district to request evaluation. Services may include speech, OT, PT, etc.

Educational Neglect Concerns

If allegations arise:

• Only the local prosecuting attorney can review your records
• Not school officials, not social workers
• Your daily log is your defense
• Contact HSLDA or an attorney immediately

MOScholars Program

Missouri's scholarship program provides tax credits for donations to EAOs that fund scholarships for students with IEPs and low-income students. Homeschoolers may qualify with additional documentation.

Missouri offers one of the most freedom-friendly homeschool environments in the country.

Advantages:

1. No notification required — Just start homeschooling
2. No state oversight — DESE doesn't regulate homeschools
3. No testing required — Assess however you choose
4. Daily log = legal defense — Clear protection in statute
5. NEW: Sports access (2025) — Full access to public school activities
6. Age 16+ exception — No record-keeping after 16
7. Records stay private — Only prosecuting attorney can request

Comparison Table

*Texas only requires notification if withdrawing from public school