06/24/2026
How do I register/sign-up/enroll my kids to homeschool? This is one of the most popular questions for this time of year.
Even if you have been homeschooling in MS for a while, things have slightly changed, so check out the details below.
Simply put, here are the steps:
1) Fill out the Certificate of Enrollment.
2) Submit it to the state by August 15th.
3) Keep a copy and/or get confirmation of receipt.
Here are more details about each step:
1) Access the Certificate of Enrollment using this link:https://mdek12.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/03/Certificate-of-Enrollment-COE-02.26.2026.pdf
• You can download/export it as a PDF or fill it out online. (When filling it out directly online, there seem to be some formatting issues, and the entries do not always line up correctly.)
• Make sure to fill in all the fields.
• Select "Home Instruction" even if you are supplementing with some online classes/sources.
• **VERY IMPORTANT** When it asks for a simple description of the educational program, you only need to add "age-appropriate curriculum" or something similar. Legally, they cannot ask for more, and to maintain homeschool freedoms, we do not want to offer more.
• Compulsory-school-age children have attained or will attain the age of six (6) years on or before September 1 of the calendar year and who have not attained the age of seventeen (17) years on or before September 1 of the calendar.
• You can still submit a CoE if your student will be eighteen (18) for the school year, especially if you have submitted one in the previous year. (*Retired/disabled veterans can use this as proof for verification with certain programs.)
2) There is a large turnover rate for SAOs, so they have not shared a master list by county in a while. There is still one from 2020 floating around, but it is not correct for many counties. The BEST way to submit your form is by emailing it to [email protected]. I have verified this with the SAO Regional Supervisors. Your CoE has your county name on it, so they will forward it to the correct person.
3) It is always good to keep a record of your submission.
• Print out and/or save a copy of the email when you send your CoE.
• CC or BCC yourself and/or your spouse on the email. That will help you verify that it went through.
• There could possibly be times where you are asked for proof of homeschool compliance (ID services, military dependent/VA verification, etc.) This is your proof of compliance - as this is the only thing currently required by the state.
• You may also ask for confirmation that they have received your email. However, they may not reply immediately if you send it in July or early August. They are often on break throughout the summer, and they will need to deal with all the public school students first once they return.
Here is a link directly to the MDEK website if you want to check out more information: https://mdek12.org/ocsa/home-school/
