This guide is for Mississippi parents who are looking at online school for their child and want the practical details: what the law requires, how to withdraw from a public school without leaving loose ends, what funding help actually exists, and how credits move in and out of an accredited program. If you want school-specific details for Forest Trail Academy families in the state, start with our Mississippi online K-12 school page. This article covers the legal and administrative side that page does not.
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Explore Forest Trail Academy's Accredited Online K-12 School Programs
Mississippi’s compulsory attendance law covers children ages 6 through 17. Under Mississippi Code Section 37-13-91, a parent whose child attends a nonpublic school, which includes an accredited online private school like Forest Trail Academy, must file a “certificate of enrollment” with the school attendance officer for the district where the family lives. This is the same form families use when they choose home instruction, and Mississippi law treats a nonpublic school enrollment under this section much the same way.
Key points from the statute:
- The certificate is due on or before September 15 each school year.
- If you enroll partway through the year, most districts want the certificate within 15 days of starting.
- The form asks for the child’s name, address, and date of birth, the parent’s contact information, a simple description of the education program (in this case, “enrolled in an accredited online private school”), and the school’s name and address.
- The Mississippi Department of Education’s Office of Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement (OCSA) issues the form and can answer district-specific questions.
Mississippi does not require standardized testing or curriculum approval for children enrolled this way, which is one reason the state is considered light-touch on this front. That said, exact procedures can vary slightly by county, and forms sometimes change. Before you rely on any of this for your own enrollment, confirm the current form and deadline with your local school attendance officer or the Mississippi Department of Education’s OCSA office directly. Don’t guess on a compliance deadline.
If your family is weighing a more homeschool-style approach instead of full private school enrollment, our FTA home school system page explains how that structure works and how it differs from standard enrollment.
How to Withdraw From a Mississippi Public School Mid-Year
Mississippi allows rolling, year-round enrollment for online private schools, so you are not stuck waiting for a semester break. Here is the order that keeps the paperwork clean on both ends:
- Enroll with the new school first. Get your acceptance and an official start date from Forest Trail Academy before you formally withdraw. This avoids any gap where your child is not enrolled anywhere.
- Notify the public school in writing. Send a short withdrawal letter to the principal or district office stating the date of withdrawal and the name of the new school. Certified mail with a return receipt is worth the extra few dollars, since it gives you proof of the date.
- Ask for records to be released or transferred. Request a copy of your child’s transcript, current grades, and any special education or 504 records. You will need these for the new school’s records review.
- File the certificate of enrollment. Submit it to the school attendance officer in your district within about 15 days of the withdrawal date, listing Forest Trail Academy as the new school.
- Keep copies of everything. The withdrawal letter, the certificate of enrollment, and any confirmation from the district. You likely will not need them, but if a question ever comes up about attendance compliance, having dated paperwork settles it quickly.
For a broader walkthrough of switching schools without losing academic momentum, see our guide to switching schools mid-year.
Funding: What Mississippi’s ESA Program Actually Covers
Mississippi’s Education Scholarship Account program is officially the Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Program. Mississippi families should know upfront that this program is narrower than the universal ESA programs some other states now run.
As of the 2025-2026 school year, based on the program’s own published rules:
- Eligible students must have had an active Individualized Education Program (IEP) within the past three years, or a documented dyslexia diagnosis.
- In most cases, the student must have attended a Mississippi public school for at least one year before applying.
- Maximum reimbursement is capped per student, and funds are reimbursed quarterly after parents submit documentation of qualifying expenses.
- The program runs on a fixed annual appropriation, so eligible applicants can be waitlisted once funds for the year are committed.
In plain terms: this is not a general-purpose scholarship every Mississippi family can use for online tuition. It is targeted at students with a qualifying IEP history or dyslexia diagnosis who previously attended public school. Program rules and funding levels change from year to year, so confirm current eligibility and application windows directly with the Mississippi Department of Education’s ESA office or the state’s official program administrator before you count on it in your budget.
For families paying tuition directly, Forest Trail Academy’s cost runs roughly $3,069 to $4,269 per year depending on grade level, or monthly plans from $236 to $336 depending on grade level, plus a $225 registration fee. Full details are on our tuition page.
Transferring Credits In and Out of Forest Trail Academy
Transferring in: When you enroll, FTA requests your child’s most recent transcript and current report card. Credits from an accredited public or private school generally transfer directly, including mid-year credits already earned that semester. Our enrollment team reviews the transcript and places your child at the right grade and course level rather than starting over.
Transferring out or graduating: This is where accreditation matters most, because it determines whether colleges, other schools, and employers will accept the coursework and diploma. Forest Trail Academy is accredited by Cognia, the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CESS), the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA), and Accreditation International. FTA is also NCAA-approved, which matters for students planning to play college sports, and is registered with the Florida Department of Education under School Code 3970.
For families whose student is headed into high school specifically, our online high school program for grades 9-12 page covers course sequencing and diploma requirements in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What online school options exist for Mississippi students?
Mississippi does not run a full-time public virtual school. The state’s Mississippi Virtual Public School program, delivered with Connections Education, offers free supplemental online courses that students take alongside their local district enrollment, not a standalone full-time school. Families who want a complete, full-time online education generally choose an accredited private online school like Forest Trail Academy instead.
Are there accredited homeschool programs in Mississippi?
Yes. Mississippi law allows both home instruction and enrollment in an accredited online private school, and both paths use the same certificate of enrollment process. Forest Trail Academy’s home school system combines accredited coursework with certified teacher support, which some families prefer over building a homeschool curriculum from scratch. See our home school program page.
What is Mississippi Virtual Academy?
Families searching this name are usually looking for a full-time online school in Mississippi. The state’s own virtual program is supplemental, not a full-time school, and independently run academies with similar names are private schools, not state programs. Whatever school you are considering, check its accreditation and enrollment terms directly before assuming it is free or state-run.
Is online school in Mississippi free or does it cost money?
Both options exist, and they serve different needs. Mississippi’s free public virtual courses work well for a student who needs one or two extra classes while still attending their local school. A paid, accredited private option like Forest Trail Academy is built for families who want a full-time program: rolling enrollment that starts any time of year, self-paced coursework, certified human teachers who know each student, and small class sizes. The right choice depends on whether you need a supplement or a full replacement.
Do I have to notify the state if I switch to an online private school?
Yes. Filing the certificate of enrollment with your local school attendance officer by September 15 (or within about 15 days of a mid-year start) is a legal requirement under Mississippi’s compulsory attendance law, not an optional courtesy. Confirm the exact process with your district’s attendance officer, since paperwork handling can vary by county.
Ready to Enroll?
If you’ve reviewed the law, the funding picture, and how credits transfer, and you’re ready to talk specifics for your child, reach out through our enrollment inquiry page. Someone from our team will walk you through grade placement, start dates, and what to expect in the first weeks.
