Missouri Homeschool Requirements

Under former MO Rev. Stat. §167.042, parents could file a voluntary Declaration of Enrollment with the county recorder of deeds or chief school officer of the public school district stating intent to homeschool, within 30 days of starting and by September 1 annually. Many school districts treated this as mandatory. Senate Bill 63 (2025) abolished the declaration and replaced it with provisions requiring public schools to promptly remove students from rolls when parents provide written notice of intent to use another lawful education option. This simplifies the transition out of public school for homeschooling families.

MO Rev. Stat. §167.031(2)(b) and §167.012(2)(2) require that a home school offer at least 1,000 hours of instruction per year, with at least 600 hours in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science, or academic courses related to these subjects and appropriate to the child's age and ability. At least 400 of those 600 core subject hours must occur at the regular home school location. The statute does not mandate coverage of other subjects such as the arts, physical education, or foreign languages.

MO Rev. Stat. §167.031(2)(b) and §167.012(2)(2) specify precise hourly requirements: 1,000 total hours annually; at least 600 in core academic subjects; and at least 400 of those 600 core hours at the home school site. The remaining 400 total hours may be accrued elsewhere (field trips, co-ops, libraries, etc.). These requirements are evidence-based — a daily log showing compliance is a statutory defense to any prosecution under §167.031 and to educational neglect charges under chapter 210.

MO Rev. Stat. §167.031 and §167.012 require parents to maintain records including a plan book/diary, portfolio of academic work, and evaluations of academic progress. However, these are internally maintained by the parent — no external testing or state assessment is required. The daily log showing a course of instruction satisfying statutory requirements is a complete defense to prosecution under §167.031 and to educational neglect charges under chapter 210. Home school enforcement and records are subject to review only by the local prosecuting attorney.

MO Rev. Stat. §167.031(2)(a) requires parents to maintain: (a) a plan book, diary, or other written record indicating subjects taught and activities engaged in; (b) a portfolio of samples of the child's academic work; and (c) a record of evaluations of the child's academic progress; or (d) other written or credible evidence equivalent to (a), (b), and (c). These records are not submitted to the school district or state — they are kept by the family. Home school education enforcement and records are subject to review only by the local prosecuting attorney (§167.012(4)).

MO Rev. Stat. §167.031 and §167.012 impose no educational requirements on home school instructors. There is no requirement for a teaching certificate, college degree, or high school diploma. The statute's definition of a home school under §167.012(1) focuses on the primary purpose (private or religious-based instruction) and enrollment limits, not instructor credentials. This makes Missouri one of the least restrictive states regarding parent qualifications.

Missouri's school immunization requirements under MO Rev. Stat. §167.181 apply to students 'attending' public and private schools. Home-educated students who do not attend a public or private school are not subject to these mandates. If a home-schooled student participates in public school extracurricular activities under RSMo §167.790 (Tim Tebow Law), they may be required to meet the same eligibility requirements as enrolled students, which could include health requirements at the district's discretion.

MO Rev. Stat. §167.031 and related statutes do not include provisions requiring districts to serve homeschooled special needs students. Under IDEA's Child Find mandate (20 U.S.C. §1412(a)(3)), Missouri school districts must locate, identify, and evaluate all children with disabilities, including those in home schools. However, IDEA's free appropriate public education (FAPE) obligation for children enrolled in private schools is reduced — districts must make services available on an equitable basis but are not required to provide full IEP services. Families may request Child Find evaluations from their district.

Prior to Senate Bill 63, the voluntary Declaration of Enrollment under §167.042 was frequently used for withdrawal, though it was never mandatory. Senate Bill 63 abolished this declaration and created a new withdrawal mechanism: public schools must remove students promptly upon receipt of parental written notice indicating intent to use another lawful education option. This prevents schools from delaying withdrawal, which HSLDA reported had caused some families to wait over a month for withdrawal to be processed.

MO Rev. Stat. §167.031(1) requires parents to enroll children between the ages of 7 and the district's compulsory attendance age in a school program (public, private, parochial, or home school). Children between 5 and 7 voluntarily enrolled in public school must attend regularly, but a parent may withdraw a child under 5-7 upon written request. The compulsory attendance age varies by district, though 16 is commonly referenced in the statute's historical language. Children 14 and older may be excused for legal employment with superintendent approval.

MO Rev. Stat. §167.031 and §167.012 impose no graduation requirements on homeschooled students. Parents establish their own criteria, typically building transcripts using Carnegie Unit standards (approximately 120 hours per credit). For college-bound students, advocates recommend at least 24 credits across core subject areas. Missouri does not issue state-issued diplomas for home-educated graduates. College admissions typically require parent-prepared transcripts and ACT/SAT scores.

Under RSMo §167.790 (Tim Tebow Law) and the expanded provisions of Senate Bill 63 (2025), homeschool students have the right to participate in public school athletics, fine arts programs, and other activities that supplement the normal school curriculum at their resident district. Students must meet the same eligibility requirements as enrolled students. Senate Bill 63 also gives students the right to participate in 'occurrences' (events) related to eligible activities. Prior to SB 63, access to public school activities was available under §167.790 but access was more limited.