Your state guide · 2026
Michigan homeschool laws
Last verified · View official sources
The short answer
Michigan exempts a child from public school attendance when a parent or legal guardian educates the child at home in an organized educational program covering nine subjects.
At a glance
- No notice for home education
- Nine required subjects
- Ages 6 to 18
- Two legal routes
Requirements at a glance
Read the details for your chosen homeschooling option below.
| Requirement | What to know |
|---|---|
| Compulsory school ages | 6–18 |
| Notice required | No |
| Filing deadline | Not required for home education. |
| Required subjects | Reading; Spelling; Mathematics; Science; History; Civics; Literature; Writing; English grammar |
| Instruction time | Not specified for home education under exemption (f). |
| Parent qualifications | Under exemption (f), there are no minimum teacher qualifications; the teacher must be the child's parent or legal guardian. |
| Tests & assessments | No state testing or reporting under exemption (f). The Department of Education has no role; local and intermediate school districts enforce the attendance law. |
| Records to keep | No state recordkeeping requirement under exemption (f). |
| Immunizations | Not addressed in section 380.1561 or the department's exemption (f) guidance. |
How to start homeschooling in Michigan
State law sets no notice requirement for this home education route. A second route lets a home school operate as a nonpublic school.
Choose your homeschooling option
Home education (exemption f). A parent or legal guardian teaches the child at home in an organized educational program covering the required subjects.
Nonpublic school (exemption a). The child attends a state-approved nonpublic school that teaches subjects comparable to the local public schools; a home school may operate this way.
Check the notice rules
State law sets no notice for home education under section 380.1561(3)(f), and the family does not report to the Michigan Department of Education. For the nonpublic school route, the department posts a homeschool registration form and a nonpublic school membership report.
Check when and where to file
When: Not required for home education.
Where: Not required for home education.
Subjects to teach
- Reading
- Spelling
- Mathematics
- Science
- History
- Civics
- Literature
- Writing
- English grammar
Official forms & law
Michigan Department of Education ↗
Statutes
Questions, answered.
What do I file to homeschool in Michigan?
State law sets no notice for home education under section 380.1561(3)(f), and the family does not report to the Michigan Department of Education. For the nonpublic school route, the department posts a homeschool registration form and a nonpublic school membership report.
When do I file in Michigan?
Not required for home education.
What assessments are required in Michigan?
No state testing or reporting under exemption (f). The Department of Education has no role; local and intermediate school districts enforce the attendance law.
Check the original
Sources
- MCL 380.1561 ↗Michigan Legislature
- Nonpublic & Home Schools ↗Michigan Department of Education
- Exemption (f) Home School ↗Michigan Department of Education
Last verified .