Guide to Homeschooling in Michigan

Resources

Michigan Homeschool Laws and Requirements

The first thing you should do is formally withdraw your student from public or private school. This will prevent your child from being considered truant during the school year, which could land you in legal trouble with the state.

RECORD KEEPING

Record keeping is not required in every state. However, Power Homeschool believes that it is always a good idea to keep records of attendance, curriculum, grades, assignments, and anything else that could be useful should the laws in your state change. These documents can also come in handy if you move to a new state with different laws or decide to re-enroll your children in either public or private school.

Power Homeschool offers an online parent portal that allows parents to easily download any documents that they may need to prove that they are following laws in whichever state they live.

MICHIGAN STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS

In some states, homeschooled children are required to take standardized tests to ensure that they are keeping up with their traditionally schooled peers. Even if these assessments aren’t required in Michigan, many parents choose to have their children take the tests to prove that they are teaching the necessary information for the state. It is always a good idea to have your student take these tests, just in case you need to re-enroll your children in public or private school.

MICHIGAN HOMESCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Graduation requirements for homeschooled children are set by the homeschool. Michigan homeschooling parents might find it smart to start a discussion with their children early about their goals post-high school graduation. This can help parents tailor their student’s education to their future path. Look into specific colleges, technical schools, and potential employers and what their requirements are for student admission or eligibility.

Diplomas are issued by the homeschool, so parents are free to provide a diploma for their student once they have reached the graduation requirements.

Resources

Homeschool Support & Groups in Michigan

Homeschool associations in Michigan promote homeschooling and protect parents’ rights to educate their children in their homes. As more and more families in the state, more people are in need of support and guidance.

This is where homeschool associations come in. There is one homeschooling association in the state: Michigan Christian Homeschool Network.

The MICHN homeschool association’s goal is to provide information, instruction, and inspiration for homeschooling families in the state. This homeschool association is founded on the Christian religion.

Often created by homeschooling parents, support groups and co-ops share resources, advice, and information about homeschooling with one another. These groups may also offer activities and meet-ups, which provide students and parents with socialization with other homeschooling families in their area. Some of these groups also offer field trips and other special events such as proms and graduation ceremonies.

Co-ops tend to be more focused on academics than support groups. Many co-ops offer weekly learning opportunities for homeschooling families. In co-ops, parents might alternate teaching either general subjects or have a more specific focus like STEM or fine arts.

Both of these types of groups can help parents home educate their children based on their age and interests. These groups can help families with homeschooling support, legal advice, resources, and other information.

Here are a few options for support groups in Michigan:

• • • Battle Creek Pre-K and Elementary Homeschoolers
    • Genesee County Homeschoolers
    • Grand Rapids Area Inclusive Network for Homeschoolers (GRAIN)
    • Homeschoolers of Jackson Michigan
    • Lansing Homeschoolers
    • Lapeer County Homeschool Swap and Information
    • Michigan-Macomb Country Homeschoolers
    • NCR Homeschool Connection
    • Oakland County Homeschool
    • Secular Homeschoolers of Southeast Michigan

Check out our Power Homeschool Parent Support groups!

• • • 1839 Courthouse Square and Museum in Berrien Springs: Explore the old 1839 Courthouse building in Berrien Springs, where you can see various exhibits and displays in the museum. You can also tour the jailhouse and the adjoining sheriff’s residence. Stopping here will take you back in time.
    • Adventure Mining Company in Greenland: Tour the underground mine and gear up with a hard hat and headlamp to explore the dark caverns. During the tour, you can see copper and silver deposits. In some tours, you can even rappel down the mine shaft and crawl through small areas of the mine.
    • Air Zoo in Kalamazoo: Learn about the history of aviation starting with the Wright Brothers. This hands-on museum even gives visitors the opportunity to help restore an old World War II plane that was recovered from the bottom of Lake Michigan.
    • Alden B. Dow Museum of Science and Art in Midland: Experience science and art colliding at the Alden B. Dow Museum. The interactive exhibits at the museum all students to truly experience art and science for themselves. Additionally, children can sign up for art and science classes that are available for students of all ages.
    • Alfred P. Sloan Museum in Flint: The historic automobiles on display at the Alfred P. Sloan Museum are the perfect tribute to the state’s long history with automobile manufacturing. There are also a variety of hands-on science exhibits that teach students about physics and chemistry.
    • Bug House in East Lansing: Insect lovers will love seeing numerous types of beetles, insects, and other bugs at the Bug House in East Lansing. Located at Michigan State University, tours are available but need to be scheduled in advance.
    • Call of the Wild Museum in Gaylord: Take your children to see a variety of animals and their habitats at the Call of the Wild Museum. There are more than 60 wildlife displays at this museum, and there are even hands-on exhibits available.
    • Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square in Saginaw: Also called the Saginaw Children’s Zoo, this is the perfect place to take young learners to explore different animal species. At the zoo, children are taught about and allowed to interact with various animal species.
    • Dinosaur Gardens Prehistoric Zoo in Ossineke: Learn about prehistoric animal species and various species of dinosaurs at the Dinosaur Gardens. Tours are available in the Dino Van or Farm Wagon. Explore the cedar swamp and take photos at the Pteranodon nest.
    • Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids: Spend a day exploring history at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. You will get a good understanding of both President and Mrs. Ford as you walk through the museum.
    • Hurst Planetarium in Jackson: The Hurst Planetarium, which is part of the Ella Sharp Museum, is the perfect complement to any astronomy lessons you are teaching in your homeschool. Special events at the planetarium can also provide unique lessons for students.
    • Michigan Firehouse Museum in Ypsilanti: Tour an 1898 firehouse along with a near, modern firehouse at the Michigan Fire House Museum. Visitors can see the original horse-drawn fire vehicles to learn how fires were combatted prior to the 1900s.
    • Michigan State Capitol Building in Lansing: Take a guided tour of the fully restored Michigan State Capitol Building. The building is more than 110 years old and is full of Michigan history.
    • MOOmers in Traverse City: Visit MOOmers where you can tour either the ice cream store or dairy farm. The ice cream store tours allow you to make and taste your own ice cream and tour the facility. Touring the dairy farm allows you to see the barn, creamery, and farm, as well as participate in a milk tasting. Be advised that tours of the ice cream store are on different days than the dairy farm tours.
    • Windmill Island in Holland: Visit Windmill Island where you can see the 240-year-old Dutch windmill named De Zwaan, which means graceful bird. Around the windmill, you will see more than 36 acres of gardens, canals, dikes, and picnic spots. You can also tour the Posthouse Museum, which is a replica of a 14^th-century wayside inn.