FAQs

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HESWM is strictly for social and support purposes and thus does not offer any particular "program" or specific curriculum to educate your children. The real bulk of the education is still done at the discretion of the parents or guardians of each child. All attendance records, grading, assignments, etc. are the full responsibilty of each home and are not in any way monitored or recorded by our group. The learning sessions or leisure courses that are available for HESWM members vary greatly from one semester to the next, depending on parent volunteers and what levels of interest are in the group.

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Yes. Any parent is permitted by law to teach his or her own children in a home instruction program. The state has a minimal amount of regulation that families must follow to legally home school. A legitimate home instruction program is defined as one that is not “operated for the purpose of avoiding or circumventing the compulsory attendance law.”

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While there are regulations on the length of school day and school year for public and private schools, there is no state requirement for home school programs.

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Since repeal of the law in 1984, there are no state requirements for subjects that must be taught. However, if your student is planning to attend college you need to be mindful of the state graduation requirements found at http://www.mdek12.org/sites/default/files/Offices/MDE/OAE/OEER/New%20Diploma/mississippi-diploma-options_20180627103755_285594.pdf. 

Also check your prospective college requirements. Colleges tend to look at transcripts and college entrance exam scores such as the ACT. 

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By September 15 of each year, parents are required to submit a certificate of enrollment for each child age 6-17 by September 1. (If you have children older or younger, you are not required to submit a certificate for them.) The certificate card – available from your city or county school attendance officer – should include names, address, and telephone number of parents and children, dates of birth of children, and a “simple description of the type of education the children are receiving.” You are not required by law to give your child’s Social Security number. The card must be returned to the school attendance officer.

In the event the child has been enrolled in a public school he must file a Certificate of Enrollment with the local attendance within 15 calendar days after the first day of the school year for the school district where the child resides. If the decision to homeschool the child is made during the school year, they may at that time enroll the child in a legitimate home instruction program and send the certifiacte of enrollment to the school attendance officer, even though they missed the September deadline.

Parents, guardians, or custodians of a child who are found in violation of this law are given 10 days after receiving a written notice to comply with the law.

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https://hslda.org/content/hs101/MS.aspx

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MS Department of Education

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If you wish to teach your children at home, you may begin at any time, but must always send the completed certificate of enrollment for each child and you must formally withdraw your child from their current school.  

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No. You are free to choose how you would like to educate your child. 

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No. You may choose the curriculum that best suits your children’s individual educational needs.

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The state has no educational attainment or certification requirements for parents who teach their children in the home.

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State law does not require standardized testing. 

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No. Parents graduate their students not the state. However, HESWM does provide a high school diploma for its graduating members.  If you are concered about college, diplomas are not required for college acceptance. Colleges require transcripts when considering prospective students.