Skip to the content
Peabody HomeschoolEvery homeschool law, plan, record and tool, free

Withdrawing from school to homeschool in Missouri

How to take your child out of school to homeschool in Missouri, step by step: what to file first, what to tell the school, and a letter to print.

This is general information, not legal advice; check your state's own page. Laws change, and Missouri's own statute and education department are the final word. The links below go straight to them.

Deadlines, forms and amounts checked on against the sources linked on this page.

Step by step

  1. Before your child's last day, do what Missouri asks of a new homeschool. We found no law that makes a family register a home school with the state or the school district. If the child is on a public school's rolls, a parent who makes written notification of intent to pursue other educational options under section 167.031 and asks that the child be dropped from the rolls can expect the school to remove the child promptly.Source: RSMo 167.042 Other educational options, written notification (Revisor of Statutes)
  2. Tell the school. When you take your child out: Write to the school that you intend to pursue other educational options under section 167.031 and ask that your child be dropped from the rolls; the school must remove your child promptly.Source: RSMo 167.042 Other educational options, written notification (Revisor of Statutes)
  3. Ask for your child's records (report cards, test results, any evaluations or plans) so you know where your child stands. Good practice, not a legal step.
  4. If your child has an IEP or a 504 plan, ask the district before you leave what, if anything, it offers homeschooled students, and get a copy of the plan. Good practice, not a legal step.
  5. Keep copies of everything you send and anything you get back, with the dates. Good practice, not a legal step.
  6. Start your records on day one. The parent keeps a plan book, diary or other written record of subjects taught and activities, a portfolio of samples of the child's work, and a record of evaluations of the child's progress (or other written or credible evidence equal to those). A daily log showing a course of instruction that meets the law is a defense to prosecution and to educational neglect charges. Records are reviewed only by the local prosecuting attorney. These do not apply to a pupil sixteen or older.Source: RSMo 167.012 Home school defined (Revisor of Statutes)

What Missouri's law or education agency says about leaving school

A parent, guardian or other person with custody who makes written notification of intent to pursue other educational options under section 167.031 and asks that the child be dropped from the public school rolls: the school must comply and remove the child promptly (RSMo 167.042).

A letter to the school

Fill this in and print it. It tells the school your child is leaving to be taught at home and asks for the records. It is not the state's notice.

For example a copy of your notice, or the acknowledgement the state sent you.

Nothing you type here is saved or sent.

Your letter

________________

To: ________________

I am withdrawing ________________ from your school. My child will be educated at home under the law of Missouri.

Please send me a copy of my child's school records.

Thank you.

SignatureDate
Keep a copy with the date you handed it in or mailed it.

Where this comes from

Checked on October 29, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Laws and forms change; confirm a date with your school district or the state agency before you rely on it. For legal advice, ask a lawyer licensed in Missouri; homeschool legal-help organizations and your state's homeschool groups can also point you to help. Something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.