Michigan offers two homeschool pathways: operating as a non-public “home school” under the home-school statute, or operating as a non-public school. The home-school path requires no state notification.
Legal framework
Home schools are governed by Michigan Compiled Laws §380.1561(3)(f). The Michigan Department of Education's Homeschool page publishes current guidance, including the optional notification form.
Notification & registration
Michigan does not require notification to begin a home school. The state offers an optional Home School Information form that some families file voluntarily.
Recordkeeping
Michigan requires home schools to provide instruction in specified subject areas comparable to the public schools. There is no state testing requirement and no recordkeeping submission. Families maintain their own attendance records, work samples, and high school transcript.
Graduation requirements
Michigan does not prescribe specific graduation requirements for home-school students. The parent determines completion. Aligning the transcript with the Michigan Merit Curriculum is a useful reference for in-state admissions.
Who issues the diploma
The parent operating the home school issues the diploma in the name of the family's home school.
College & military recognition
Michigan public universities (U of M, MSU, Wayne State and others) and Michigan community colleges admit home-school graduates routinely. Homeschool graduates qualify for Tier 1 military enlistment under current DoD policy.
Official source
For current statutory text, forms, and procedural updates, the authoritative source is the Michigan Department of Education - Homeschool. Homeschool laws change, so confirm specific requirements directly with the state before relying on them.