How to Start Homeschooling in Missouri

Yes. Homeschooling is fully legal in Missouri. It has some of the strongest statutory protections in the country.

Under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.031.2, children receiving instruction at home are exempt from compulsory attendance. The law defines a "home school" as a place where children of not more than two families receive instruction in the home of a parent, guardian, or designated person. That means you can team up with one other family and still qualify.

Section 167.042 is what makes Missouri special. It says no home school shall face requirements beyond Section 167.031. This is not a suggestion. It is a prohibition. If a school district tries to require registration, curriculum review, or documentation, cite this statute. It is your legal shield — and it is stronger than what most states offer.

Missouri compulsory education covers ages 7 through 17 under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.031.1. Your child must receive instruction from age 7 until turning 17.

Kindergarten is not mandatory. If your child is 5 or 6, you have no legal duty to start formal schooling. One timing detail matters: if your child turns 7 before July 1, compulsory attendance begins that school year.

Missouri's age range is narrower than many neighbors. Kansas requires instruction through 18. You can teach before 7 and after 17. Many families do. But the law only requires it during those years.

Starting to homeschool in Missouri takes less time than a trip to the grocery store. Here is exactly what to do.

Step 1: Decide to homeschool. That is the only legal step. Missouri does not require you to notify anyone, register anywhere, or seek approval. Section 167.042 prevents any government body from adding steps.

Step 2: Withdraw your child (if enrolled). If your child is in public school, send a letter to the principal or superintendent. Write: "I am withdrawing [child's name] from [school name] effective [date]. My child will receive home school instruction under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.031." Send it by certified mail. Request copies of academic records and immunization records at the same time. The district cannot require reasons or curriculum plans.

If your child has never been enrolled, skip this step.

Step 3: Choose your curriculum. Cover five core subjects: reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. Beyond those, you choose everything. No approval needed. No mandated textbooks. Pick what fits your family.

Step 4: Plan your hours. Provide 1,000 hours of instruction per year. Track three nested requirements: (1) at least 600 hours in core subjects, (2) at least 400 of those core hours at your home location, (3) the remaining 400 hours in any subject, anywhere. The school year runs July 1 through June 30. No required number of days. No daily minimum.

Step 5: Start keeping records. From day one, maintain three things. First, a plan book or daily log of subjects taught and activities. Second, a portfolio of your child's work samples. Third, a record of academic progress evaluation. You never submit these to anyone. They exist to protect you.

Missouri requires five core subjects under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.031.2: reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. At least 600 of your 1,000 required hours must cover these areas.

Beyond those five, you have total freedom. No curriculum approval. No mandated textbooks. No state standards. Religious, secular, classical, Charlotte Mason, unit studies, unschooling — all permitted. You pick the materials and the approach.

No requirements exist for physical education, health, art, music, or foreign language. The remaining 400 hours beyond core subjects give you room to follow your child's interests. Many Missouri families use this flexibility to build deeply personalized programs that no public school could offer.

Missouri requires 1,000 hours of instruction per year under Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.031.2. The hours come with three nested thresholds that are important to track separately.

Here is the breakdown:

• 1,000 total hours of instruction per year
• 600 of those hours must be in core subjects (reading, language arts, math, social studies, science)
• 400 of the 600 core hours must happen at your home school location

The remaining 400 hours can cover any subject and happen anywhere — co-ops, libraries, field trips. This nested structure is a common trip-up. Some families track only total hours and miss the core-subject and home-location thresholds.

No required number of school days. No daily minimum. On a 180-day schedule, 1,000 hours is about 5.5 hours per day. But year-round schooling, four-day weeks, and seasonal schedules all work. The school year runs July 1 through June 30.

What counts toward hours? Formal instruction, textbook work, field trips, co-op classes, and technology-based learning. Routine chores and meals do not count unless they have a structured educational purpose.

Missouri gives you two ways to homeschool. Both are fully legal.

Pathway 1: Home School Under Section 167.031. This is the standard choice for most Missouri families. No notification. No registration. No testing. No reporting. Keep your records (log, portfolio, evaluation), provide 1,000 hours, and teach the five core subjects. Full freedom and full privacy.

Pathway 2: Private School or Umbrella (Cover) School. Enroll in a private umbrella school and teach at home under its framework. The school handles compliance documentation, provides formal transcripts, and puts a school name on your child's records. You still meet the 1,000-hour standard and teach core subjects. This works well if you want formal transcripts for college, administrative structure, or a recognized school name. Legal protection comes from the private school exemption in the statute.

Most families choose Pathway 1 for its simplicity and privacy.

Know Section 167.042 by heart. This one statute stops most overreach before it starts. If any official, district, or agency demands extra requirements, say: "Section 167.042 prohibits regulation beyond Section 167.031." Missouri's anti-regulation protection is stronger than what most states offer. Use it.

Keep records even though nobody checks them. Your log, portfolio, and evaluation are your only defense if the Missouri Children's Division investigates for educational neglect. The school district cannot request or review your records — only DFS can, and only during an investigation. Keep them from day one. Retain high school records permanently for transcripts.

Build a transcript starting in 9th grade. Missouri has no state homeschool diploma. You issue your own and create your own transcript. Missouri public universities generally accept homeschool transcripts with ACT or SAT scores. Include courses, grades, credits, and GPA. An umbrella school can provide formal transcripts if you prefer that route.

Your child can play public school sports. Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.031.5 lets homeschooled students participate in MSHSAA activities at their local public school. That includes sports, clubs, and other extracurriculars. Your child must meet the same conduct, academic, and age standards as enrolled students. Call the school's athletic director and say: "My child is homeschooled and we want to participate in activities under Section 167.031.5."

Part-time public school classes are not guaranteed. Missouri law does not give homeschoolers an automatic right to attend individual classes. Access is at each district's discretion. Call your local school and ask.

The MOScholars ESA may help eligible families. Missouri's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program was expanded statewide by SB 727 in 2024. It includes a "Family Paced Education" category for homeschoolers. The base amount is roughly $6,375 to $7,145 per year, up to 175% for students with disabilities. Eligibility is not universal. Your child must have an IEP, or your family income must be under 300% of the free and reduced lunch threshold. Applications open October 1 through April 3. Visit the Missouri State Treasurer's MOScholars page to apply.

Get a driver's license without hassle. Homeschooled teens can get a learner's permit and driver's license in Missouri. Write a letter verifying your child's educational status for the Department of Revenue. Keep a copy with your records.

Connect with other Missouri families. Families for Home Education (fhe-mo.org) is the state's leading homeschool organization. Local co-ops offer classes, field trips, and community. Other homeschool parents are your best resource for curriculum advice, testing logistics, and encouragement. Reach out early.