Compulsory Attendance

Your child’s age is your first indicator of his or her eligibility for beginning school. Students may start kindergarten if they turn five on or before September 1st. A child does not have to enroll in school at age five, but must be six years old on or before September 1st. With the exception of:

1. Children physically, mentally or emotionally incapable of attending school as determined by the appropriate school official based upon sufficient medical documentation.
2. Children enrolled in and pursuing a course of special education, remedial education or education for handicapped or physically or mentally disadvantaged children.
3. Children being educated in a legitimate home instruction program (more information about registering for homeschooling here)

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Required Documentation

Mississippi school districts set the requirements for what documentation is required prior to enrolling a student in their district.

The following legal documents are required for Mississippi students to attend school:

• Certified copy of the student’s birth certificate
• Certificate of Immunization issued by the state of Mississippi on Form 121 or Medical Exemption Certificate Form 122
  • Click here to view the immunization requirements
• Social Security card
• Report card from student’s previous school
• Transcripts for students entering 10th–12th grades
• Two proofs of residency documents (List of proofs of residency accepted: here)

What are Charter Schools?

Charter Schools are tuition-free public schools operated by independent, non-profit governing bodies.

Parents, teachers, and community leaders sign a “charter” or contract with a school district or state agency to create a charter school and give students more educational options than their assigned school. Charter schools have flexibility over classroom hours, curriculum, and employment policies, but are subject to periodic reviews based on student performance. In Mississippi, public charter school students are measured against the same academic standards as students in other public schools. Local boards of education monitor the academic and financial performance of charter schools, and, can revoke  or refuse to renew a school’s charter.

What makes a school “private”?

Private schools charge tuition, and many have a religious mission. Some private schools offer families assistance to make tuition payments. Click below for the complete list of over 170 private schools across the state:

Private School Review offers free, detailed information on U.S. private schools combined with useful community data (e.g., housing costs) and maps of the surrounding areas.

*Information on non-public school admission requirements should be obtained from the school directly.

George Washington University Online High School is an online college preparatory academy for motivated students who are willing to be challenged to become the best students and persons they can be. Combining award-winning curriculum with small class sizes and intensive college counseling, students receive a flexible, individualized education attuned to their own needs and goals.

International Academy is a K12, Inc accredited, online private school for grades K–12. Students earn a U.S. high school diploma while using award-winning K¹² curriculum

They offer extensive, individualized academic and counseling support keep students on track. The flexibility allows students to explore their passions. Full-time and part-time options are available.

International Connections Academy is a fully-accredited, online, college preparatory private school serving K-12 students worldwide. The program combines a top-rated curriculum with talented teachers, cutting-edge technology, the flexibility to learn at home, and direct family involvement to ensure each student realizes his or her full potential.

In Mississippi, parents have the option to educate their children at home, an option known as homeschooling or home education. Parents in Mississippi may choose to homeschool their own children in grades K–12. Parents desiring to homeschool their own children may do so by contacting their school attendance officer for a certificate of enrollment. You will be required to fill out the certificate of enrollment and provide a simple description of the curriculum that you have chosen.

School Attendance Officers can be found here.

The form of the certificate of enrollment shall be prepared by the Office of Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement of the State Department of Education and shall be designed to obtain the following information only:

1. The name address telephone number and date of birth of the compulsory-school-age child
2. The name address and telephone number of the parent guardian or custodian of the compulsory-school-age child
3. A simple description of the type of education the compulsory-school-age child is receiving and if the child is enrolled in a nonpublic school the name and address of the school
4. The signature of the parent guardian or custodian of the compulsory-school-age child or for any or all compulsory-school-age child or children attending a nonpublic school the signature of the appropriate school official and the date signed

The certificate of enrollment shall be returned to the school attendance officer where the child resides on or before September 15 of each year.