Homeschooling in Missouri: what the state requires
The rules for homeschooling in Missouri, in plain English, from the state’s own sources.
Checked October 1, 2026 against official Missouri sources. State page: Missouri DESE — Homeschooling Transcripts or Diplomas. Compulsory school age: Ages 7 to the district's compulsory attendance age: 17, or having successfully completed 16 credits toward high school graduation (metropolitan districts may set 17 by resolution).
Home school (RSMo 167.012)
A parent-run school for private or religious-based instruction, with no more than four unrelated children and no tuition. Parents keep records and provide 1,000 hours of instruction a year. No registration with the state.
For every child
| Notice or registration | Not required. DESE: the Department does not regulate or monitor homeschooling and does not require registration. To withdraw a child from public school, the parent gives the school written notification of intent to pursue other educational options under 167.031 and the school removes the child from its rolls (RSMo 167.042). |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science — These are the core subjects for the 600-hour requirement (or academic courses related to them). State agencies may not dictate a statewide curriculum for home schools (RSMo 167.031.2). |
| Days | No day count; hours-based. School year runs July 1 to June 30 (RSMo 167.031.3). |
| Hours | 1,000 hours; at least 600 in reading, language arts, math, social studies and science, 400 of those at the home. Not required at age 16 and older. — At least 1,000 hours of instruction, at least 600 of which in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, or related academic courses consonant with the child's age and ability; at least 400 of those 600 hours at the regular home school location. Hours and records requirements do not apply to pupils 16 or older. |
| Testing or evaluation | Not required. No state testing; parent keeps a record of evaluations (see records). |
| Records | Required. 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 other written or credible evidence equivalent to (a)-(c). Not required for pupils 16 or older. No retention period stated. |
| Teacher | No parent qualification requirement. |
| Other | Home school may not charge tuition, may enroll no more than four children unrelated within the third degree, and may not enroll MOScholars participants (those use an FPE school). |
By grade
No rule in this option changes with the grade.
High school and graduation
DESE does not issue diplomas or keep transcripts for homeschooling; the parent/guardian is responsible.
Official sources:
- RSMo 167.012 — Home school defined; requirements
- RSMo 167.031 — Compulsory attendance
- RSMo 167.042 — Withdrawal notification
- DESE — Homeschooling Transcripts or Diplomas
Family Paced Education (FPE) school (RSMo 167.013)
Same structure as a home school (1,000 hours, records, no tuition, no more than four unrelated children), but it may enroll children who participate in the MOScholars program. Effective in current form August 28, 2025.
For every child
| Notice or registration | Not required. No notice to the state found in RSMo 167.013. Withdrawal from public school by written notification (RSMo 167.042). |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science — Core subjects for the 600-hour requirement; no statewide curriculum may be dictated (RSMo 167.031.2). |
| Days | Hours-based; school year July 1 to June 30. |
| Hours | 1,000 hours; at least 600 in core subjects, 400 of those at the home. — At least 1,000 hours, at least 600 in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science or related academic courses; at least 400 of the 600 at the regular FPE school location. Not applicable to pupils 16 or older. |
| Testing or evaluation | Not required. No testing in RSMo 167.013; record of evaluations required. |
| Records | Required. Plan book/diary or other written record of subjects and activities, portfolio of work samples, and record of evaluations, or equivalent evidence. Not required for pupils 16 or older. |
| Teacher | No parent qualification requirement. |
| Other | May enroll MOScholars (sections 135.712-135.719 and 166.700-166.720) participants without the parent being required to submit to a background check. |
By grade
No rule in this option changes with the grade.
High school and graduation
No state graduation requirements found for FPE schools; parent issues diploma.
Official sources:
Not confirmed on an official state page yet: Any additional duties imposed on FPE families by the MOScholars program statutes (e.g., testing tied to scholarship accounts) were not reviewed.
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 Communication Arts 4 | 4.0 |
| Mathematics | 3.0 |
| Science | 3.0 |
| Social Studies Social Studies 3; Personal Finance 0.5 | 3.5 |
| Fine Arts | 1.0 |
| Physical Education & Health Physical Education 1; Health Education 0.5 | 1.5 |
| Career & Technical Practical Arts 1 | 1.0 |
| Electives | 7.0 |
| Total | 24.0 |
|---|
State minimum of 24 units; local boards may require more. Rule effective June 30, 2019.
Source: 5 CSR 20-100.190 — Graduation Requirements for Students in Public High Schools
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.
Home school and FPE school definitions were amended by 2024 H.B. 2287/S.B. 727 and 2025 S.B. 63 (effective August 28, 2025).
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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