If you have a child enrolled to start Kindergarten in the Fall OR did start K in the public school and now want to remove them BEFORE the end of December to educate them at home, then there is a special letter for that situation as long as the child is not yet 7 years old. NO RECORDS OR HOURS WILL BE NEEDED IN THIS SITUATION UNTIL THE CHILD TURNS 7, the compulsory age in Missouri. You can still teach your child all you want, but wait for the formal records and hours until required to start at 7. There is no practice time set up in the law. It’s all or nothing, and nothing is required for now.
However, once the holidays have passed and into January for kindergarten or beyond, this will no longer apply even if the child is not 7 yet such as in 1st grade. At that point, the regular withdrawal letter needs to be used along with keeping all records and hours. If you have any questions about your situation, feel free to reach out to FHE for asstistance. [email protected]
Please note that in 1990, the law was modified to require parents who wish to remove five and six-year-old children from a public school setting to do so in writing. This is merely a notification, not a request of permission or to be construed as a registration.
Recommended instructions: The sections in RED below are spots that YOU need to edit with your information and the appropriate school name and address. Send a copy (one per child) to your school superintendent or principal via certified mail so that you have delivery information. Always sign your letter and keep a copy for your files. Although mailing is the best option, you can also hand deliver your letter to the school office. Take 2 copies: one for the school to keep and one for them to sign for your records. Please do NOT sign a school’s form letter since that is NOT required by law to do so and is not the correct letter for this kindergarten situation. Your written notice is sufficient.
Special Needs: If you have a special needs child with an IEP and you no longer want to continue services with the school, FHE also recommends an IEP Revocation Letter. Click Here for the IEP revocation letter.
Click Here for the Kindergarten Letter (5-6 year olds but JUST starting Kindergarten) OR Copy and Paste the Kindergarten Letter below.
Click Here for the Withdrawal Letter (all other grades and ages) OR go to the Page for the copy and paste version.
Edit with your information for anything in RED:
Withdrawal Notice of a Child Under the Age of 7 from a Public School in Missouri
Paul & Penny Parent Your Name and Address
1983 Liberty Dr
Responsibility, MO 6xxxx
_____________ (Date)
Dr. Joseph Administrator, Supt. Superintendent OR Principal Name and Address
18 Public Street
Responsibility, MO 6xxxx
Dear Administrator/Principal:
Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 167.031.1(2)(c) (RSMo) which reads, “A child between five and seven years of age shall be excused from attendance at school if a parent, guardian, or other person having charge, control, or custody of the child makes a written request that the child be dropped from the school’s rolls.” You shall consider this notification to be that “written request”.
Name(s) of child(ren) under age 7 to be withdrawn. __________________________________________________________________________________
Please forward copies of all records that you have accumulated on our son/daughter to the above address. Include copies of all health records, standardized test results, and all other evaluations, records and reports presently in your files. (Note: This request is made pursuant to the Parental Rights and Responsibility Act of 1974.) Please include a signed, “date received” (stamped or hand-notation by signer) copy of this letter so our records will be complete.
We realize that you have statutory responsibility for the investigation of cases of suspected truancy regarding public school students. Therefore, this letter is being sent to release the public school system from that responsibility.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. If you have any questions, please submit them to us in writing.
Respectfully,
_______________________________________________ ________________
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
P.S. You can find the relevant Missouri Statutes, 167.012, 167.031, 167.042, 167.061, and 210.167 RSMo on the web at https://revisor.mo.gov/main/Home.aspx
_______________________________________________ __________________
Signature of School Official “Received By” Date Received
_______________________________________________
Printed Name of School Official
