Homeschooling in Michigan

Michigan offers two distinct legal pathways for homeschooling under MCL §380.1561, both with minimal oversight. The most popular path — Exemption (f) Home Education — requires no notification, no testing, no minimum hours, and no parent qualifications. You simply teach 9 required subjects. The alternative — Exemption (a) Nonpublic School — requires registration with the Michigan Department of Education and a bachelor's degree (or religious exemption) but provides access to special education services. Most Michigan homeschool families use Exemption (f) Home Education.

Legal framework at a glance

Legal options: Two pathways — Exemption (f) Home Education (most common, no registration) or Exemption (a) Nonpublic School (registration with MDE required).

Notification: Exemption (f) Home Education: NO notification required. Exemption (a) Nonpublic School: file the 2025-2026 Homeschool Registration Form with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE)..

Instructional time: No specific days or hours required by statute under Exemption (f) Home Education.

Required subjects: Exemption (f) requires instruction in 9 subjects: reading, spelling, mathematics, science, history, civics, literature, writing, and English grammar. Exemption (a) follows nonpublic school subject requirements..

Testing and evaluation: No state-mandated testing for homeschoolers. Homeschool students may voluntarily participate in state assessments at no cost..

What Michigan families need to know

Two exemptions under MCL §380.1561: Michigan's compulsory attendance statute provides two distinct legal pathways for homeschooling, and parents may use both simultaneously per MCL §380.1561(4).

**EXEMPTION (f) HOME EDUCATION** (most common, simplest path): no notification, no registration, no testing, no parent qualifications, no minimum hours. Parents must provide instruction in 9 subjects: reading, spelling, mathematics, science, history, civics, literature, writing, and English grammar. The state has zero ongoing oversight under this pathway. Most Michigan homeschool families use Exemption (f).

**EXEMPTION (a) NONPUBLIC SCHOOL**: register annually with the Michigan Department of Education using the Homeschool Registration Form. Teacher must hold a Michigan teaching certificate OR a bachelor's degree in any field, OR claim a religious exemption (per People v. DeJonge, 1993). This pathway provides access to special education services through the local school district via a Nonpublic School Service Plan (similar to an IEP). Use this pathway if your child needs ongoing special education services like speech therapy, social work, or remedial reading.

People v. DeJonge (1993): the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that requiring teacher certification for homeschool parents who object on religious grounds violates the First Amendment's Free Exercise Clause. This case allowed religious objectors to homeschool under the nonpublic school exemption without holding teaching credentials.

PI-1206 form: NOT REQUIRED for Exemption (f) Home Education. Required only if you choose Exemption (a) Nonpublic School pathway and need access to public school services.

Sports access: under Exemption (a) Nonpublic School, homeschool students may participate in public school sports and access elective courses including AP classes. Exemption (f) Home Education students do NOT have the same guaranteed access — participation is at the discretion of the local district. The Michigan High School Sports Association (MHSSA) provides organized sports competition for all Michigan homeschoolers regardless of pathway.

Recordkeeping: NOT REQUIRED under Exemption (f). Recommended to maintain a portfolio of student work, attendance records, lesson plans, and correspondence with the school district as documentation in case questions arise.

Special education: only available to Exemption (a) Nonpublic School registrants. Exemption (f) families may request a public school evaluation to determine eligibility, but receive no ongoing services.

Driver's license: Michigan homeschool students can obtain a driver's license like any other teen. Check with your local Secretary of State office for documentation requirements.

Compulsory attendance: ages 6 through 18. The compulsory age was raised from 16 to 18 in 2010 for children entering 6th grade after 2009. Parents may opt-out children at age 16 with written notice.

Always verify current requirements with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) — Office of Nonpublic Education before filing any official paperwork. State rules can change.

Diploma recognition

Michigan has NO state graduation requirements for homeschoolers. Parents determine their own required courses, credits, grading standards, and issue diplomas. While not legally required, many Michigan homeschool families align with traditional college-prep expectations: 4 years English, 4 years math (including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II), 3 years science, 3 years social studies, 1-2 years foreign language, 1 year fine arts, and 1 year PE/health. Michigan public colleges (U-M, MSU, Wayne State) accept homeschool transcripts — competitive programs may require ACT scores, SAT subject tests, or AP exam scores in addition to the transcript.

Getting started in Michigan

If you are new to homeschooling in Michigan, here is the practical sequence to follow:

1. Read the statute. Visit the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) — Office of Nonpublic Education website and read the current homeschool regulations in full. The summary on this page is a starting point, but the official statute is the final authority.
2. Choose your legal pathway. Michigan offers specific options described above. Choose the one that fits your family before you file anything.
3. Prepare your notification. Gather the information required for your notice or registration — child's name, date of birth, address, subjects, curriculum plans, and anything else your chosen pathway requires.
4. File before withdrawing. If your child is currently in public school, file your homeschool notification before you send the withdrawal letter to the school. See our withdrawal guide for the full process.
5. Set up your record-keeping system. Even in low-regulation states, keep attendance records, a list of curriculum used, and samples of your child's work. See our record-keeping guide for what to save and how.
6. Connect with a local homeschool organization. Michigan has active statewide homeschool organizations (listed below) and usually several local co-ops in each region. These are your best source of current, practical information.

Michigan homeschool organizations

The following organizations provide advocacy, support, and current information for Michigan homeschool families:

• Michigan Christian Homeschool Network (MICHN) — Largest statewide Christian network with annual convention — michn.org
• Information Network for Christian Homes (INCH) — Statewide Christian organization — inch.org
• HSLDA Michigan — Legal defense and member support
• Michigan Home School Sports Association (MHSSA) — Statewide athletic competition for homeschoolers — mhssa.org

Local homeschool co-ops often meet in libraries, churches, and community centers throughout the state. A search for "Michigan homeschool co-op [your city]" typically surfaces groups meeting near you. The statewide organizations listed above maintain co-op directories.

Beyond the legal requirements

Meeting Michigan's legal requirements is only the foundation. The day-to-day work of homeschooling — choosing a curriculum, teaching multiple children at different levels, building a transcript — is the larger task. Once your legal compliance is in order, explore the rest of this site:

Homeschool360 • Michigan State Guide