How to Homeschool in Michigan (2026 Guide)

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At a Glance

Regulation Level Low
Notice Required No
Testing Required No
Record Keeping Required No

The short version

Michigan gives homeschooling families broad freedom. Under the most common pathway — Exemption (f) of MCL 380.1561 — you do not notify the state or your school district, you do not test, and you do not file records with any government agency. You simply teach your child at home, as their parent or legal guardian, in a genuine program covering nine core subject areas. The Michigan Department of Education has no role in your home school under this pathway. Michigan has no active state scholarship or ESA program for homeschoolers as of 2026.

Michigan’s compulsory attendance law, MCL 380.1561, requires children ages 6 to 18 to attend school. It also carves out explicit exemptions for home-educated children. Michigan offers two distinct pathways.

Pathway 1 — Exemption (f): the home education route

The most widely used option. MCL 380.1561(3)(f) states that a child is not required to attend public school when:

“The child is being educated at the child’s home by his or her parent or legal guardian in an organized educational program in the subject areas of reading, spelling, mathematics, science, history, civics, literature, writing, and English grammar.”

Under Exemption (f):

  • The Michigan Department of Education plays no role with the home school family.
  • The family does not report to MDE as a nonpublic school.
  • Enforcement of the compulsory attendance law rests with intermediate and local school districts, not the state.
  • There are no minimum qualifications for the teaching parent beyond being the child’s parent or legal guardian.

This pathway was legally secured by People v. DeJonge, 442 Mich 266 (1993), which held that requiring teacher certification of homeschooling parents violates the free-exercise rights of families with religious objections, and the 1996 legislative amendment that formally added Exemption (f) to the statute.

Pathway 2 — Exemption (a): the state-approved nonpublic school route

MCL 380.1561(3)(a) allows a child to be educated at a “state approved nonpublic school, which teaches subjects comparable to those taught in the public schools.” A family operating under this pathway:

  • Reports to MDE and appears on the approved nonpublic school listing.
  • Must have a teaching parent or guardian with at least a bachelor’s degree (teacher certification is not required), or must claim a religious objection to teacher certification under People v. DeJonge.
  • Gains the ability for the child to access public school services — including special education services under a Nonpublic School Service Plan, and enrollment in non-essential elective courses at the local public school (under MCL 388.1766b).

MCL 380.1561(4) clarifies that a home-educated child may qualify under either or both pathways simultaneously.

Primary MDE resource: Nonpublic & Home Schools — Michigan Department of Education

Notice of intent

No notice is required under Exemption (f). You do not file anything with the state, MDE, or your local school district before beginning to homeschool.

Michigan law does not include an annual renewal requirement, a letter of intent, or any ongoing reporting obligation for Exemption (f) families.

Practical note: If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, notify the school directly that you are withdrawing to homeschool. This is not a legal requirement — it is a practical step that prevents the school from marking your child as truant. MDE’s own guidance suggests informing the current school when beginning to homeschool for this reason. (See the Withdrawing from public school section below.)

Optional registration: MDE offers a voluntary registration process for home schools that want access to public school programming. Registration — and a separate approval step — is required only if your child will receive services from or participate in public school programming, such as special education services or enrollment in non-essential elective courses. Families who do not want those services have no obligation to register.

Required subjects

Under Exemption (f), the law specifies nine subject areas that your program must cover:

  1. Reading
  2. Spelling
  3. Mathematics
  4. Science
  5. History
  6. Civics
  7. Literature
  8. Writing
  9. English grammar

Michigan law does not specify curriculum materials, a required number of school days, minimum daily instructional hours, or grade-level performance standards for home school families operating under Exemption (f). The requirement is that you provide an organized educational program — genuine, structured instruction — in these nine areas.

There is no list of approved curriculum providers, no portfolio submission requirement, and no state oversight of which materials you choose.

Testing or evaluation

Testing is not required for home school students operating under Exemption (f). Michigan does not mandate standardized testing or portfolio evaluations as a condition of homeschooling.

Michigan does offer homeschool families the option to participate in statewide assessments voluntarily and free of charge. Results are reported directly to the family. This is entirely optional — there is no consequence for not participating, and scores are not submitted to any agency on your behalf.

Record keeping

Michigan law does not require Exemption (f) home school families to maintain or submit records — no attendance logs, no progress reports, no portfolio filings.

Keeping your own records is still worth doing for practical reasons:

  • If your child transfers to a public school, the district will typically conduct its own placement assessment, and having documented work samples or a course list can help.
  • College admissions and dual enrollment applications often ask for transcripts, a course list, or evidence of completed coursework.
  • Participation in public school non-essential elective courses, if you choose that route, may require prior registration and approval under Exemption (a).

The state simply has no role in this record-keeping for Exemption (f) families.

Withdrawing from public school

To begin homeschooling a child who is currently enrolled in a public school, contact the school in writing to notify them that you are withdrawing. You do not need permission — MCL 380.1561(3)(f) gives you a clear legal basis for home education.

The school may ask for written confirmation that you intend to homeschool. You can provide a brief letter to that effect. This is not a legal filing; it is a courtesy communication that protects your child from being listed as absent or truant.

Once withdrawn, there is no annual check-in or renewal process under Exemption (f).

Returning to public school: If your child later re-enrolls in a public school, the district will typically assess the child to determine grade placement. Michigan does not have a statewide home school transcript standard, so individual districts handle re-enrollment on their own terms. Maintaining good records of coursework completed can smooth this process.

Dual enrollment and non-essential courses: Home school students may enroll in non-essential elective courses (including performing arts, band, choir, and similar offerings) at their local public school district under MCL 388.1766b. If your child wants to access this option, registration and approval under Exemption (a) is required. Districts must make non-essential course offerings available to homeschooled students on the same basis as enrolled students.

Support and community

Michigan has an active homeschool community. A few starting points:

  • Michigan Christian Homeschool Network (MiCHN) — michn.org — formerly known as INCH (Information Network for Christian Homes), MiCHN is Michigan’s oldest and largest statewide homeschool organization, founded in 1984. It offers information, events, advocacy monitoring, and connections to local groups.
  • Western Michigan Home Education Family Association (WMHFA) — wmhfa.org — a regional nonprofit supporting homeschool families in West Michigan with co-op activities, music programs, and more.
  • Local co-ops and support groups are found throughout the state. The MiCHN website and resources like thehomeschoolmom.com/homeschooling-in-michigan maintain searchable directories of local groups by region.

MDE also links to the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) at nheri.org as a general research resource.