FAQs



Q:

What homeschooling program does your organization use?

A:

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.

Q:

Can anyone home school in Mississippi?

A:

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.”

Q:

What days and what hours are my children required to be in school?

A:

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.

Q:

What subjects am I required to teach?

A:

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. 

Q:

What kind of paperwork does the state require?

A:

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.

Q:

What are the home schooling laws in Mississippi?

A:

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

Q:

How do I locate my school district's attendance officer?

A:

MS Department of Education

Pike (McComb) Nunnery Cazadas (601) 551-0577  
Pike (North & South) Martin Carolyn (601) 783-6958  (601) 248-7597
Walthall Thompson Edwin (601) 876-6980  
Amite Carter-Flippin Deece (601) 657-5666 (601) 664-8748
Franklin Lane Monica (601) 384-5713  
Lawrence Showers, Griffin Quanda (601) 587-9304  
Lincoln Robinson Keith (601) 835-2176 (601) 664-8727

Q:

Do I have to wait until the beginning of the next school year to take my children out of their current public or private school to start home schooling?

A:

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.  

Q:

Do I need to join and use an accredited home schooling program or curriculum?

A:

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

Q:

Does the curriculum I use have to include state-approved textbooks?

A:

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

Q:

Do I have to have a high school or college diploma, or teacher certification?

A:

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

Q:

Do my children have to take standardized tests?

A:

State law does not require standardized testing. 

Q:

Does my child need a GED to be considered a high school graduate? 

A:

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.