Missouri homeschool requirements and record-keeping, 2026-27
Missouri does not ask home schools to file anything with the state or the district. You offer at least 1,000 hours of instruction; Missouri's school year runs July 1 to June 30. At least 600 of those hours are in reading, language arts, math, social studies and science, and at least 400 of the 600 happen at your regular home school location. You keep a plan book or log of subjects and activities, a portfolio of work samples, and a record of evaluations, and these hour and record rules stop applying once a child turns 16.
What you file and when
- Nothing is filed. If you withdraw a child from public school, a written notice asking that the child be dropped from the rolls is enough (RSMo 167.042).
Dates to keep in mind
- School year ends: check 1,000 / 600 / 400 hours: June 30
What you keep
- Plan book, diary, or other written record of subjects taught and activities
- Portfolio of samples of the child's academic work
- Record of evaluations of the child's academic progress
- (Or other written or credible evidence equivalent to the three above)
Portfolio. Samples of the child's academic work
How long to keep it. The statute sets no retention period.
Hours, days and subjects
- 1,000 hours a year
- 600 of the hours in the core subjects, 400 of them at your regular home location
- School year: July 1 to June 30
- Compulsory attendance ages: 7 to 17
Ages 7 to 17 (or completion of 16 high school credits); a metropolitan district may set 16. The hours and records requirement does not apply to pupils 16 or older.
Subjects. Reading; Language arts; Mathematics; Social studies; Science; Physical education (not core); Art (not core); Music (not core).
Work out your hours for Missouri with the free calculator.
Things people miss
- The 400 home-location hours are part of the 600 core hours, not extra hours on top.
- Core hours can include academic courses related to the five core subjects that suit the child's age and ability.
- A daily log showing the required course of instruction is a defense to a prosecution or educational-neglect charge, so log every day.
- Home school records are reviewable only by the local prosecuting attorney.
- Compulsory age runs to 17 (or 16 high school credits) in most districts, but the hours and records rule stops at 16.
Official sources
- RSMo 167.012 Home school defined, regular instruction, daily log (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 167.012)
Verified checked on 2026-10-18 - RSMo 167.013 FPE school defined (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 167.013)
Verified checked on 2026-10-18 - RSMo 167.031 Compulsory attendance; school year; compulsory attendance age (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 167.031)
Verified checked on 2026-10-18 - RSMo 167.042 Written notification to drop from rolls (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 167.042)
Verified checked on 2026-10-18
How Schoolkeeper helps
A twenty-second daily log, and then an export in the shape Missouri asks for:
- A day-by-day hours log with running totals against 1,000 / 600 / 400.
- An attendance record showing the days you taught.
- Hours by subject, totalled for the year against 1,000.
- A portfolio of work samples, photos and what they read, in date order.
Questions parents ask
What do I have to file to homeschool in Missouri?
Nothing is filed. If you withdraw a child from public school, a written notice asking that the child be dropped from the rolls is enough (RSMo 167.042).
What records do I keep for homeschooling in Missouri?
Plan book, diary, or other written record of subjects taught and activities; Portfolio of samples of the child's academic work; Record of evaluations of the child's academic progress; (Or other written or credible evidence equivalent to the three above).
How many hours or days does Missouri ask for?
Missouri asks for 1,000 hours a year; 600 of the hours in the core subjects, 400 of them at your regular home location.
What trips people up when homeschooling in Missouri?
The 400 home-location hours are part of the 600 core hours, not extra hours on top. Core hours can include academic courses related to the five core subjects that suit the child's age and ability.
This is a plain-English summary with its sources, not legal advice. Tell us if this is wrong.