How To Start Homeschooling In Michigan

Homeschooling in Michigan can be done using private or non-public school options.

To start homeschooling in Michigan, follow these steps:

Research and familiarize yourself with the homeschooling laws and regulations in Michigan.

Notify your local school district of your intent to homeschool by submitting a notice of intent or a private school affidavit.
Keep records of your child’s homeschooling progress, including attendance, instruction, and assessment, and provide them to the local school district upon request.
Provide instruction in specific subjects as required by Michigan state law.

Meet the attendance requirements as set by Michigan state law.
Register with a homeschooling organization or program if desired.
Follow any additional regulations or laws set by your local school district or state.

Start homeschooling and keep records of your child’s progress.
Be aware that Michigan requires annual assessments for homeschooled students, which can be done through a standardized test, portfolio evaluation, or evaluation by a certified teacher.
Remember that Michigan allows for different types of homeschooling options. It’s important to check with your local school district or the Michigan Department of Education for specific guidelines.

It’s important to note that Michigan does not require homeschooled students to take any standardized test. Still, parents are required to provide an annual assessment of their child’s progress, which can be done through a standardized test, portfolio evaluation, or evaluation by a certified teacher.

Non-Public School Option

The first way to legally teach your child at home in Michigan is by opening up a non-public school. The term “non-public” means that this school does not have an affiliation with any religious institution and will remain tax-exempt as long as they meet all state regulations.

There are many benefits to homeschooling through a non-public school. Since these schools do not need to follow many of the same rules as public schools, they tend to offer services like online classes, tutoring, and test preparation programs which may not be provided at your local public school.

If you choose to open a non-public school, contact your county clerk’s office and ask them about specific legal requirements regarding registration, curriculum, transportation, etc. You also want to ensure that your educational program meets the standards the State of Michigan Department of Education sets forth.

This includes how many hours per week you plan to spend teaching your student, whether you intend to use textbooks or other materials provided by the state, and if you will provide transportation to and from your school.

Once you have met the requirements, you will apply to establish yourself as a non-public school within your community. If approved, you will receive a certificate of authorization to operate your school without fear of being shut down by the government.

Public School Option

If you decide against running your non-public school, you have another option – enrolling your child in a public school! While most states require children to attend public school between ages 5 and 18, Michigan only requires them until they turn 17. After that point, the decision becomes entirely up to each parent.

To enroll your child in a public school, visit their local public school district web page and complete the appropriate forms. You must include information about where you live, your child’s name, date of birth, social security number, and physical address.

Once submitted, you will be sent a letter confirming receipt of the enrollment form. At this stage, you are officially enrolled in the public school system.

As soon as you register your child in public school, you will become responsible for meeting the state’s mandatory minimum testing requirements. These tests typically occur during the summer when your child isn’t in school, so don’t worry too much about missing something important here.

You will also find that once your child enters the public school system, you will receive notices every year detailing what he needs to accomplish before graduating. Most districts list things such as passing standardized tests, completing coursework, and obtaining a certain GPA.

Because public schools aren’t required to give out scholarships, getting good grades won’t help him get money for college later on. However, failing to complete the formal requirements could result in your child being held back from graduating.

Because there is no official requirement for what your child needs to learn while attending public school, you will likely spend time researching different curriculums and making decisions based on personal preference.

Instead of sticking with a traditional academic curriculum, you might consider the homeschool method. Otherwise, plenty of alternatives are available, including Montessori, Waldorf, and unschooling.

Private School Option

Another alternative to homeschooling in Michigan is going to a private school. While this option offers its pros and cons, if you feel strongly about having your child attend one of these institutions, then check out the following links for more info: