Homeschooling in Michigan: what the state requires
The rules for homeschooling in Michigan, in plain English, from the state’s own sources.
Checked October 1, 2026 against official Michigan sources. State page: Michigan Department of Education — Nonpublic and Home School Information. Compulsory school age: 6 to 18 (from age 6 to the child's eighteenth birthday, for children who turned 11 on or after December 1, 2009).
Home education by parent (MCL 380.1561(3)(f))
A parent or legal guardian educates the child at home in an organized educational program in the listed subjects. No reporting to the state.
For every child
| Notice or registration | Not required. MDE: home schools under (3)(f) do not report to MDE. |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | reading, spelling, mathematics, science, history, civics, literature, writing, English grammar — Must be an organized educational program in these subject areas. |
| Days | No day requirement (MDE: the public school 180 days/1,098 hours rule does not apply). |
| Hours | No hour requirement. |
| Testing or evaluation | Not required. No required testing; MDE says home-schooled students may take state assessments by contacting their resident district. |
| Records | MDE: no law requires nonpublic schools or home schools to maintain student records. |
| Teacher | No qualification requirement for a parent teaching under (3)(f). |
| Other | Immunization requirements apply when a home-schooled student enters school (MDE manual). |
By grade
No rule in this option changes with the grade.
High school and graduation
MDE: diplomas and transcripts are the responsibility of the home school family, based on internal standards.
Official sources:
Home school operating as a nonpublic school (MCL 380.1561(3)(a))
The home school operates as a nonpublic school under the Private, Denominational and Parochial Schools Act and reports to MDE each year.
For every child
| Notice or registration | Required. Membership Report opens October 15, due October 31 annually; Personnel Report September 1 through December 1 annually. — Annual Nonpublic School Membership Report to MDE in NexSys (students per grade, teacher qualifications, course of study). MDE also lists a Nonpublic School Personnel Report for all nonpublic schools (school safety legislation). |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | — Must teach subjects comparable to those taught in the public schools to children of corresponding age and grade, as determined by the local district's course of study (MCL 380.1561(3)(a)). |
| Days | No day requirement stated for nonpublic schools (MDE). |
| Hours | No hour requirement stated for nonpublic schools (MDE). |
| Testing or evaluation | Not required. No required testing; state assessments available through the resident district. |
| Records | MDE: no law requires nonpublic schools to maintain student records. |
| Teacher | MCL 388.553: no person may teach regular or elementary grade studies in a private, denominational or parochial school without a certificate that would qualify them to teach like grades in public schools (statute has exceptions). |
By grade
Subjects by grade: Must teach subjects comparable to those taught in the public schools to children of corresponding age and grade, as determined by the local district's course of study (MCL 380.1561(3)(a)).
High school and graduation
The nonpublic school sets its own standards and issues the diploma (MDE).
Official sources:
- MCL 380.1561 — Compulsory attendance
- MCL 388.553 — Teacher certificate required in private schools
- MDE — Nonpublic and Home School Information 2025-2026
Not confirmed on an official state page yet: Any religious-objection exemption from the teacher-certificate rule (court-recognized) was not confirmed on an official source. Whether the Personnel Report applies to a family-only home school was not confirmed.
High school: the public-school diploma as a guide
Optional for homeschools in most states, but the credit plan most colleges and employers recognize, and a sound default for a homeschool transcript. Shown in the subject areas this site uses.
| English | 4.0 |
| Mathematics | 4.0 |
| Science | 3.0 |
| Social Studies | 3.0 |
| Foreign Language Language other than English (may be earned in grades K-12) 2 | 2.0 |
| Fine Arts Visual, performing, and applied arts 1 | 1.0 |
| Physical Education & Health Health and physical education 1 | 1.0 |
| Total | 18.0 |
|---|
Michigan Merit Curriculum. Also requires an online course or integrated online learning experience. Beginning with pupils entering grade 8 in 2023 (class of 2028), a 1/2 credit personal finance course is required (may count toward specified requirements). Last amended 2022 PA 105, effective March 29, 2023. Total of 18 is the sum of listed credits; districts may require more.
Source: MCL 380.1278a — Michigan Merit Curriculum
After graduation: what to plan for
Suggestions from Homeschool Corral, not state rules. Most families keep the college path open through 10th grade, then narrow.
- 4 English, 4 math (through Algebra II, pre-calculus if they can), 3–4 science with 2 labs, 3–4 social studies, 2–3 years of one foreign language, 1 fine arts
- A one-paragraph description for every high-school course; the parent signs the transcript and diploma
- PSAT in 10th and 11th; SAT or ACT by spring of 11th; dual credit, AP or CLEP where it fits
- A log of activities, service and work from 9th grade; two adults who can recommend them
- A Scholarship Finder profile by 11th grade; FAFSA when it opens in the fall of 12th
- A diploma and transcript with 4 English, 3 math, 3 science, 3 social studies; applied math every year
- Dual-credit career and technical courses in 11th–12th; OSHA 10 and first aid/CPR; a driver’s license
- Real projects and a part-time job logged as credits, with references; visit the union hall about pre-apprenticeships in 11th
- A parent-issued diploma and full transcript, signed and dated; recruiters ask for both
- Strong reading and arithmetic for the entrance test; a practice ASVAB in 11th
- Physical fitness as a logged course; service and leadership; for an academy or ROTC, the college list plus the SAT/ACT early
- The diploma and transcript anyway; personal finance and business basics as credits
- Work experience logged with hours and a reference from 10th grade; typing, spreadsheets, a clear email
- Keep the college path open: a foreign language and Algebra II cost little now
My Homeschool turns these into a checklist for each child, with the credits recorded in Transcripts counted against the plan.
This is a plain-English summary of the state’s official sources, checked on the date shown. It is not legal advice, and laws change. Read the linked official pages, and check with the state or your local school district if anything is unclear.
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