Homeschooling FAQs
Where can I find support to get started?
There are a number of local support groups that have online groups for support and communication as well as field trips and enrichment activities. A list of inclusive groups as well as faith-based groups are available on this site.
What are Michigan's rules?
The guidelines for homeschooling in Michigan are listed at www.michigan.gov/homeschool. There is a helpful summary of the guidelines on that site as well. Michigan is one of the states with the fewest regulations for homeschooling families. Thank you to Cheryl Knapp Overley for the helpful information pertaining to Michigan's rules below.
How do I withdraw my child from school?
If your child has never been enrolled in a public or private school then you can begin homeschooling without notifying any agency.
If your child has been enrolled in a school "it is not required that a parent inform their local school of the decision to home school, however, it is suggested. Failure to do so may result in the student being marked absent and the involvement of the truancy officer. Notification may be a phone call or a written note to the district. Keep in mind that a written note can be placed in the student’s school record indicating when the student has withdrawn from the school district." - source
If your child has been enrolled in a school "it is not required that a parent inform their local school of the decision to home school, however, it is suggested. Failure to do so may result in the student being marked absent and the involvement of the truancy officer. Notification may be a phone call or a written note to the district. Keep in mind that a written note can be placed in the student’s school record indicating when the student has withdrawn from the school district." - source
Can I get support services from the local school?
Yes. School districts are required to provide auxiliary services such as speech or special education at the local public school to homeschool students and this letter can be provided to district administrators if they are not aware of this provision.
To be eligible for those services parents must complete the Nonpublic School Membership Report (NSMR). Instructions for completing the form are here.
Anecdotal reports indicate that local school districts are aware of this provision and have been helpful and that there have been no problems with having this information on file.
To be eligible for those services parents must complete the Nonpublic School Membership Report (NSMR). Instructions for completing the form are here.
Anecdotal reports indicate that local school districts are aware of this provision and have been helpful and that there have been no problems with having this information on file.
Can my child take classes at the public school?
Yes. "Home schooled students have the right to enroll in nonessential elective courses in public schools" as documented in this letter that can be provided to district administrators if they are not aware of this provision.
Anecdotal reports indicate that schools are able to deny homeschool students these classes if there are no seat spaces available. Parents may be able to obtain access to those courses in a nearby school if their home district does not have space for the homeschool student.
Can my child play sports?
Children younger than 7th grade can generally participate in sports no differently than schooled children. Few schools sponsor teams below that age. Even if a youth team practices at a school and shares the school name, it is probably run by a club rather than the school district. Once a child reaches an age where the school takes over sponsorship of their sport (7th grade for a few sports, 9th grade for most), options become more limited for the homeschooled student. Many resources exist for participating in individual and team sports for recreation or competition and are listed on this site. See Stephanie Freed Charlot's more detailed sports FAQ for additional information.
Can my child play on their local school team if the school gives permission?
MHSAA rules are such that “all students on MHSAA member teams must be enrolled in the school they play for. The students on your school team and those you play against are all taking and passing at least 20 credit hours on the official records of the school they are playing for.” 20 Credit hours is not full-time enrollment, but it is a significant chunk. If your child enrolls in the local school for at least 20 credit hours, they should be able to play, but most schools limit part-time enrollment to non-core classes only. Thus, many homeschooling families find it impractical to take this route. See Stephanie Freed Charlot's more detailed sports FAQ for additional information.
Anecdotal reports indicate that schools are able to deny homeschool students these classes if there are no seat spaces available. Parents may be able to obtain access to those courses in a nearby school if their home district does not have space for the homeschool student.
Can my child play sports?
Children younger than 7th grade can generally participate in sports no differently than schooled children. Few schools sponsor teams below that age. Even if a youth team practices at a school and shares the school name, it is probably run by a club rather than the school district. Once a child reaches an age where the school takes over sponsorship of their sport (7th grade for a few sports, 9th grade for most), options become more limited for the homeschooled student. Many resources exist for participating in individual and team sports for recreation or competition and are listed on this site. See Stephanie Freed Charlot's more detailed sports FAQ for additional information.
Can my child play on their local school team if the school gives permission?
MHSAA rules are such that “all students on MHSAA member teams must be enrolled in the school they play for. The students on your school team and those you play against are all taking and passing at least 20 credit hours on the official records of the school they are playing for.” 20 Credit hours is not full-time enrollment, but it is a significant chunk. If your child enrolls in the local school for at least 20 credit hours, they should be able to play, but most schools limit part-time enrollment to non-core classes only. Thus, many homeschooling families find it impractical to take this route. See Stephanie Freed Charlot's more detailed sports FAQ for additional information.
What are my options for educating my child at home?
Note: One advantage of homeschooling is that you have more flexibility in the order and depth of teaching subjects, especially if you plan to homeschool over a longer period of time. If you are considering re-entering a public school, then it may be helpful to choose curriculum that aligns with your district.
(1) Work with the local school district to do school at home. This might be an option in cases where a child is having a hard time at school and the situation is perceived as temporary. This could be similar to what you might do with a doctor's order if you were home with an extended illness with the teacher sending home books and assignments, etc. Depending on the helpfulness of the school it can be easily arranged and flexible, or you may have to get notes from doctors/psychologists and be prepared to exercise legal rights.
(2) Use a Public Virtual Academy (Not technically considered homeschooling). Public Virtual Academies generally provide materials, teacher support, computer and a stipend for online access. You have requirements for number of hours in instruction, standardized tests, etc. You are assured of getting a high school diploma through this method. Some are fully online, some are a combination of online and in-class. A list of free online schools is available on this site.
(3) Use a Private Virtual School. There are many of these with different philosophies and specialties. Some have bricks and mortar schools you can also visit for some of the time as well. This is available in a range of prices. Many offer high school diplomas but not all. A list of popular private online schools is available on this site.
(4) Customize your own path. Lots of materials exist online for developing curriculum for free. You can purchase some or all of the curriculum to implement at home. The volume of curriculum choices can be overwhelming. One place many people start is by looking at this list from Cathy Duffy Reviews or the catalog at Rainbow Resource.
(5) Create a co-op or work with a home school tutoring center. Parents can create their own co-ops to share teaching and group opportunities. Lansing Homeschoolers offers parent-led enrichment classes through Home School Days at Foster Community Center for a small registration fee. Brain Builders offers tutoring and enrichment classes for homeschoolers. See the Support Groups section for ways to connect with other homeschoolers on the journey!
(2) Use a Public Virtual Academy (Not technically considered homeschooling). Public Virtual Academies generally provide materials, teacher support, computer and a stipend for online access. You have requirements for number of hours in instruction, standardized tests, etc. You are assured of getting a high school diploma through this method. Some are fully online, some are a combination of online and in-class. A list of free online schools is available on this site.
(3) Use a Private Virtual School. There are many of these with different philosophies and specialties. Some have bricks and mortar schools you can also visit for some of the time as well. This is available in a range of prices. Many offer high school diplomas but not all. A list of popular private online schools is available on this site.
(4) Customize your own path. Lots of materials exist online for developing curriculum for free. You can purchase some or all of the curriculum to implement at home. The volume of curriculum choices can be overwhelming. One place many people start is by looking at this list from Cathy Duffy Reviews or the catalog at Rainbow Resource.
(5) Create a co-op or work with a home school tutoring center. Parents can create their own co-ops to share teaching and group opportunities. Lansing Homeschoolers offers parent-led enrichment classes through Home School Days at Foster Community Center for a small registration fee. Brain Builders offers tutoring and enrichment classes for homeschoolers. See the Support Groups section for ways to connect with other homeschoolers on the journey!
What are the different philosophies of homeschooling?
Families may choose to use a variety of methods at different times and for different children depending on their child's learning styles and parent philosophies and resources. These are some common philosophies or styles of homeschooling that are used in both secular and non-secular homeschooling. A comparison of styles can be found here and here and here.
- Traditional - This follows a structure and routine similar to what would be found in a typical public classroom.
- Unit Studies / Project based learning - This uses a child's interests as a way to study a variety of subjects.
- Classical - This focuses on fact learning in early years, logic in middle years, and expression in later grades.
- Charlotte Mason - This is based on her methods from the 1800's in which children were treated as active participants in their learning and learn from nature and the world around them.
- Montessori - This emphasizes on independence, freedom within limits, and respect for a child’s natural psychological, physical, and social development.
- Unschooling / Immersion Learning - This method advocates learner-chosen activities as a primary means for learning through their natural life experiences and play.
How do I transition from public school to homeschool?
Some families find it useful to go through a period of de-schooling after leaving public school, particularly if the school environment has been stressful or less than satisfying. For those transitioning to homeschool with their child who has learning differences or ADHD this article may be useful: Homeschooling LD/ADD Children: Great Idea or Big Mistake?
Can my child take standardized tests?
You can order Iowa Basic Skills from the University of Minnesota to administer and return for scoring. You can contact your local public school to participate in MEAP testing.
You can order Iowa Basic Skills from the University of Minnesota to administer and return for scoring. You can contact your local public school to participate in MEAP testing.