How to withdraw your child from public school and homeschool in Missouri

Step by step

1. Step 1. Know what Missouri requires to start

   Missouri requires no registration, notice or approval to start a home school. The optional declaration of enrollment filed with the recorder of deeds or county clerk is no longer in the statute (repealed; the 1,000-hour and records rules now sit in RSMo 167.012). A parent who wants the child dropped from public school rolls may send written notification of intent to pursue other educational options (RSMo 167.042).

2. Step 2. Leave the school the right way

   Under RSMo 167.042 (as amended by 2025 SB 63, effective 8/28/2025), if a parent gives written notification of intent to pursue other educational options and requests the child be dropped from the rolls, the school shall comply and remove the child promptly. No form, meeting or waiting period is stated. For ages 5 to 7 enrolled in public school, DESE says a written request to be dropped from the rolls excuses attendance.

3. Step 3. Watch the deadlines

   No deadline in the statute for starting a home school or for the notification. The home school must provide at least 1,000 hours of instruction, at least 600 in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science or related courses, with at least 400 of those at the regular home school location (RSMo 167.012).

4. Step 4. Ask for your child’s records

   Under FERPA (34 CFR 99.10) a parent may inspect and request a copy of the child's education records, and the school must comply within 45 days of the request. RSMo 167.012 requires the home school to keep a plan book, diary or written record of subjects and activities, a portfolio of work samples, or a record of evaluations, reviewable only by the local prosecuting attorney.

5. Step 5. If your child has an IEP or a 504 plan

   Under federal rule 34 CFR 300.300(b)(4), a parent may revoke consent to special education services in writing; the district must then stop the services after giving prior written notice, and does not have to hold an IEP meeting or seek a due process hearing to override it. No Missouri-specific withdrawal rule was found in primary sources.

Before you pull your child out

A letter you can fill in

Fill in the boxes and copy the letter. It is built from what we found above for Missouri: it goes to your child's current school to withdraw, and the state filing described above is a separate step. Check it against the state office before you send it.

[today's date]

To: The principal of my child's current school [name and address]

Re: Withdrawal from school and home education, [child's full name]

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am the parent of [child's full name], born [date of birth], who is currently enrolled in grade [grade] at [name of current school]. Please accept this letter as notice that I am withdrawing my child from [name of current school], effective [start date]. I will be providing a home education program under RSMo 167.031, 167.012, 167.042.

This is my written notification of intent to pursue other educational options under RSMo 167.031, and I request that my child be dropped from the school rolls.

I also request a copy of my child's education records, including the cumulative file, attendance and any testing records. Please send them to the address below.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

[your name]
[your address]

Who to ask in Missouri

Missouri DESE Compulsory Attendance FAQ, last checked October 2026.

A plain-language summary of public sources, not legal advice. Laws and forms change, so confirm the current rules with the state office before you send anything.

Questions