Michigan Homeschool Information
—Homeschool In Michigan—
Homeschooling in Michigan
Find Out What the State Says About Home Education
Michigan Homeschool Review
📚 1. Age & Compulsory Attendance
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Children aged 6 (by December 1) through 17 are required to attend school or be homeschooled
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At 18, compulsory attendance ends—but if parents issue a diploma, homeschooling records can still support college, work, or driver’s license applications .
2. Two Legal Homeschool Options
Option A: Homeschool Statute (“Exemption F”)
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No need to notify or register with the state.
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No required teacher qualifications or reporting.
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Must use an organized educational program covering reading, spelling, math, science, history, civics, literature, writing, and English grammar
Option B: Non‑public School Route
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Functions like a private school:
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Submit annual notification to the local district superintendent with student/parent info
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Teachers need a teaching certificate, permit, or bachelor’s degree (parents exempt if religiously opposed)
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Curricula must be comparable to public schools, including required high-school civics/constitutions
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Recordkeeping (enrollment, courses, teacher qualifications) must be available if requested
3. Curriculum & Subjects
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Option A & B both require the core subjects: math, reading/English, science, social studies/history, civics, literature, writing, spelling, grammar
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Grades 10–12 must also include the U.S. & Michigan Constitutions and government history
4. Notification, Records, Assessments
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Option A: No notification or reports are required. Recordkeeping is optional—though maintaining portfolios, attendance logs, and work samples is strongly recommended
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Option B: Annual superintendent notification and records must be available upon request .
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Standardized testing is not required, but homeschoolers may take state tests, electives, and sports through local schools r
Public School Services & Electives
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Homeschooled students may enroll part-time in nonessential electives (e.g., band, art, PE), though district policies apply
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They may also access special education or other support services if enrolled under Option B .
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The Michigan Virtual School is open to homeschoolers for online and AP courses
6. Recordkeeping Best Practices
Michigan law doesn’t require records, but HSLDA and professional advice suggest keeping:
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Attendance logs
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Course syllabi & textbooks
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Work samples & portfolios
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Correspondence with school/district
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Test results & extracurricular records
✅ In Conclusion
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Option A offers Michigan’s famously relaxed, unregulated homeschool environment—no filings, no oversight, but still requires core subjects.
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Option B introduces more structure and state interaction (teacher credentials, notifications, records) but unlocks access to public school services and support.
Enrolling In A Private Accredited Online School Changes Things Somewhat
If you enroll your child in a Michigan-based private accredited online school, this places your child under Michigan’s nonpublic school laws, not under the homeschool statute. Here’s what that means for you:
✅ 1. You Are Not Legally Homeschooling
When your child is enrolled in a Michigan private online school, the school is responsible for compliance with state education laws—not you. You’re not considered a homeschooler under Michigan law (i.e., not under “Exemption F”). This means:
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You don’t need to file any homeschool notices.
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You’re not personally responsible for recordkeeping or instruction.
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You don’t need to teach or design curriculum yourself.
🏫 2. The Online School Must Meet Nonpublic School Requirements
The private school—whether online or brick-and-mortar—must:
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Be registered with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).
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Provide instruction in required subjects comparable to public schools.
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Employ qualified instructors (usually certified or with a bachelor’s degree, unless religious exemptions apply).
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Maintain attendance, enrollment, and curriculum records.
These responsibilities fall on the school, not on the parent.
In Michigan If You Enroll In An Accredited Private Online Homeschool
Enrolling your child in an out-of-state accredited private online school does impact how Michigan views your homeschooling, and here’s what you need to know:
🎓 1. You’re Essentially Using a Nonpublic School
By enrolling in an accredited private school—even if it’s out-of-state and online—you’re operating under Michigan’s nonpublic school option (Option B). That means:
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You must still comply with Michigan’s nonpublic school requirements, including:
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Annual notification to your local superintendent.
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Teacher qualifications: the instructors at the online school must hold Michigan‑approved credentials—or be exempted for religious reasons.
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Maintaining records (enrollment, curriculum, teacher credentials) and making them available if requested
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📌 Bottom Line
Enrolling in an accredited out-of-state private online school moves you into Michigan’s nonpublic school category. You’ll need to:
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Notify your district every year.
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Ensure teacher credentials align with Michigan’s standards.
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Keep curriculum records and supporting documentation.
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Confirm that their curriculum matches state-required subjects.
What you gain:
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Access to public-school electives, testing, and special services.
What you lose:
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Michigan’s minimal-regulation Option A protections (no filings, easy recordkeeping).
🔍 Next Steps & Recommendations
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Reach out to both your online school and local superintendent to ensure alignment and requirements.
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Review the accreditation and curriculum details of your chosen online school.
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Review Michigan State Form SM‑4325 (used for nonpublic school reporting).
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Keep copies of any submitted forms, notifications, and correspondence for your records.
Michigan K-12 School Choice
Michigan School Choice Summary
🔄 Michigan Schools of Choice (Public-to-Public Transfer)
What It Is:
The Schools of Choice program allows Michigan families to enroll their child in a public school outside their home district, if the receiving district participates and has space available.
Two Types:
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Section 105 – Transfer within the same ISD (Intermediate School District).
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Section 105c – Transfer across ISD lines.
Key Points:
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Tuition-free for Michigan residents.
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Districts choose whether to accept Schools of Choice students.
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Parents must apply during the district’s enrollment window.
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No guarantee of acceptance—space is limited.
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Transportation is typically not provided; families are responsible.
Benefits:
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More access to specialized programs, stronger academics, or a better school fit.
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Lets families find a public school that better meets their child’s needs—without moving or paying tuition.
Homeschool Resources for Michigan
Homeschooling has been part of education for centuries. In earlier times, it was simple to begin without worrying about rules or oversight. Today, however, homeschooling regulations vary by state, and some families may find it more challenging to get started. That’s why NFC Academy provides helpful state-specific pages outlining homeschool laws—to guide and support you as you begin your journey.
In areas with stricter requirements, having reliable support is important. Organizations like the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) offer valuable legal guidance and protection, helping families stay informed and confident. With the right tools and resources, homeschooling can be a rewarding and manageable experience, no matter where you live.
Homeschool Legal Defense Association
Information on this page is intended for informational purposes for homeschool families in the specific state. The information supplied does not, nor is it intended to, provide specific legal advice. For specific legal advice, we recommend you consult an attorney. Membership with Homeschool Legal Defense may provide legal information for your situation, but you may prefer a local private attorney to review your situation to provide specific legal advice. The information provided was assisted in writing by AI.