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Homeschool laws in Michigan

Checked Oct 12, 2026 against 6 sources · General information, not legal advice.

Your Michigan to-do

For “Home school, exemption (f) (no reporting)”. 1 other legal way below.

Nothing to file with Michigan. Teach, and keep your own simple records.

Homepen turns this into reminders and ready-to-send letters, and counts your days and hours.

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What Michigan asks

Most Michigan families home school under exemption (f): no registration, no notice, no set days, tests or records, but the parent must teach an organized program in reading, spelling, math, science, history, civics, literature, writing and English grammar. Families who want public-school services can instead report every year to MDE as a nonpublic school under exemption (a), where the parent needs a bachelor's degree unless they hold a religious objection.

School age: Ages 6–17. From age 6 to the 18th birthday. A child who turns 6 before December 1 is enrolled that school year; one who turns 6 on or after December 1, the next school year. At 16 a child may stop attending with the parent's written permission given to the school district.

Michigan has 2 legal ways to homeschool. Pick the one that fits your family; Homepen asks you when you set up.

Home school, exemption (f) (no reporting)

MCL 380.1561(3)(f), (4) · Level 1: Very light

All the details and notes
Notice
No notice to file
Time
No set number of days or hours
Subjects
  • reading
  • spelling
  • mathematics
  • science
  • history
  • civics
  • literature
  • writing
  • English grammar
Assessment
No assessment required
Portfolio
Not required
Reports
No reports to send
Records to keep
No records required by the law
Teacher
The parent or legal guardian; no other minimum qualifications.
Telling your child's current school is not required, but MDE suggests it so the child is not marked absent or referred to the truancy officer.
Registering with MDE is optional, unless your child will receive services from or take part in public school programs (for example special education).

How Homepen helps

Homepen counts your days and hours as you tick lessons, and makes: Attendance & hours report, Report card, High-school transcript, Year-end summary.

Another option: Home school reporting as a nonpublic school, exemption (a)

MCL 380.1561(3)(a); Private, Denominational and Parochial Schools Act (PA 302 of 1921) · Level 2: Light

All the details, deadlines and notes
Notice
Every year: Every school year: the Nonpublic School Membership Report to MDE (it opens October 15 and is due October 31).
Time
No set number of days or hours
Subjects
  • mathematics
  • reading
  • English
  • science
  • social studies
  • U.S. and Michigan Constitutions and civil government (high school)
Assessment
No assessment required
Portfolio
Not required
Reports
No reports to send
Records to keep
No records required by the law
Teacher
A bachelor's degree (no teaching certificate needed), unless the parent claims a sincerely held religious objection to teacher certification (People v DeJonge).

Deadlines

  • Send the Nonpublic School Membership Report to MDE: Every school year, between October 15 and October 31.
Registration and MDE approval are what let a home-schooled child receive services from, or take part in programs of, the public school.

How Homepen helps

Homepen counts your days and hours as you tick lessons, and makes: Notice-of-intent letter, filled in, Attendance & hours report, Report card, High-school transcript, Year-end summary.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Laws change: we check every source at least every 6 months and before each school year. If something looks wrong, tell us. The state agency for homeschooling questions is the Michigan Department of Education.

Keep your Michigan records without the paperwork

Plan the week, tick lessons, and Homepen keeps the days, hours and portfolio Michigan asks for.

Get early accessComing soon to iPhone, iPad and Android