Minnesota · Some paperwork

Homeschooling in Minnesota

Minnesota asks you to file a notice before you begin. Here is what goes in it, when it is due, and what happens after.

VerifiedMarch 2026

Notice of intentFile every yearSend your district superintendent your child's name, birth date and address, the name of each instructor, the tests you plan to use, and evidence that the instructor qualifies. File by October 1 of the first school year your child is taught at home after turning 7, or within 15 days of withdrawing a child over 7 from public school. Each October 1 after that, send a letter of intent to continue (ages 7 to 16, and 16 to 17 if the first report was filed after 16). Also report within 15 days of moving out of a district, and by October 1 after a new district of residence begins. Minn. Stat. 120A.24, subd. 1.

Testing or assessmentYes

Instruction timeNo minimum set

RecordsPortfolio required

How to start homeschooling in Minnesota

Written from Minnesota's own rules. If a step is missing below, it is because your state does not ask for it.

Withdraw from the school your child attends now
If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are moving to home education. Keep a dated copy for yourself — it is the record that closes out their enrollment.
Send your notice of intent
Minnesota asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: Send your district superintendent your child's name, birth date and address, the name of each instructor, the tests you plan to use, and evidence that the instructor qualifies. File by October 1 of the first school year your child is taught at home after turning 7, or within 15 days of withdrawing a child over 7 from public school. Each October 1 after that, send a letter of intent to continue (ages 7 to 16, and 16 to 17 if the first report was filed after 16). Also report within 15 days of moving out of a district, and by October 1 after a new district of residence begins. Minn. Stat. 120A.24, subd. 1. You will do this again at the start of every school year. It goes to Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).
Cover the subjects the state names
Minnesota names 4 subject areas to teach. How you teach them, in what order, and with which materials is entirely up to you.
Keep a light record as you go
Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. Minnesota expects you to keep a portfolio of your child's work.
Plan the assessment early
Minnesota asks for an assessment. You can choose from: Every year, children ages 7 to 16 (and 16 to 17 if first reported after 16) not in public school are assessed with a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement test; You and the district superintendent agree on the specific test, how it is given and where; If the test does not cover every required subject, the parent assesses the rest (parents who do not meet the license, supervision, accredited-school or degree route); Exempt if taught in a school or by a person or institution accredited by a recognized agency (Minn. Stat. 123B.445) or recognized by the commissioner. Deciding early which route you will take saves a scramble.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it: Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)
When it is due: Send your district superintendent your child's name, birth date and address, the name of each instructor, the tests you plan to use, and evidence that the instructor qualifies. File by October 1 of the first school year your child is taught at home after turning 7, or within 15 days of withdrawing a child over 7 from public school. Each October 1 after that, send a letter of intent to continue (ages 7 to 16, and 16 to 17 if the first report was filed after 16). Also report within 15 days of moving out of a district, and by October 1 after a new district of residence begins. Minn. Stat. 120A.24, subd. 1.
How often: Every school year
Notarized?: No
Official form: education.mn.gov/mde/fam/nphs/home/
Ongoing reporting: Yes, once a year

Testing, portfolios and reviews

Assessment: Required
Ways to meet it: Every year, children ages 7 to 16 (and 16 to 17 if first reported after 16) not in public school are assessed with a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement test
You and the district superintendent agree on the specific test, how it is given and where
If the test does not cover every required subject, the parent assesses the rest (parents who do not meet the license, supervision, accredited-school or degree route)
Exempt if taught in a school or by a person or institution accredited by a recognized agency (Minn. Stat. 123B.445) or recognized by the commissioner
Named tests: Any nationally norm-referenced achievement test agreed upon by parent and superintendent
Portfolio: A portfolio of your child's work must be kept and may be reviewed

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects: Basic communication skills (reading and writing, literature, fine arts)Mathematics and scienceSocial studies (history, geography, economics, government, citizenship)Health and physical education
Instruction time: Minnesota sets no minimum number of days or hours.
Who may teach: Minnesota law says whoever teaches your child must meet at least one of these: hold a Minnesota teaching license in the field and grade taught; be directly supervised by a licensed Minnesota teacher; teach in a school accredited by a recognized agency; hold a bachelor's degree; or be the child's parent, with the child assessed under the yearly testing rule. Minn. Stat. 120A.22, subd. 10.
Keeping records: Keep a portfolio of your child's work.
Legal routes: Home instruction under Minn. Stat. 120A.22 and 120A.24 - report to the district superintendent
Instruction in a school or by a person or institution accredited by a recognized agency (Minn. Stat. 123B.445) or recognized by the commissioner - exempt from the yearly testing rule and the records duty
Umbrella / cover schools: Some families enroll in a school or program accredited by a recognized agency, which is exempt from the yearly testing rule (Minn. Stat. 120A.22, subd. 11(d)). Check that the program's accreditation is recognized under Minn. Stat. 123B.445 or by the commissioner.

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Public school sports: Minnesota has a law on this. The school board must let resident pupils taught in a home school be eligible to fully participate in district extracurricular activities on the same basis as public school students. Minn. Stat. 123B.49, subd. 4(a). League and district rules may differ; check with your district.
Dual enrollment: Minnesota's Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program (Minn. Stat. 124D.09) covers home-schooled students in grades 10, 11 and 12 as 'alternative pupils'. They must register with the Minnesota Department of Education before taking part. The state pays the college for courses taken for secondary credit, and the college may not charge fees, textbooks or materials for those courses.
Diplomas: Minnesota sets no state diploma for home-schooled students; your family decides how to document credits. Check with the college or employer about what they accept.
College admissions: College admissions requirements vary by institution. Check each college's current admissions page for its homeschool applicant requirements.
Support for additional needs: Special-education eligibility and services after withdrawal from public school depend on your circumstances and the applicable rules. Confirm with your school district or your state education agency.

Money your family can claim in Minnesota

No program on file yet

We do not have a verified Minnesota education savings account, scholarship, or tax credit for homeschooling families on file. That may mean the state has none, or it may mean we have not confirmed one yet — we would rather say so than point you at something we have not checked. State programs change often, so it is worth asking Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) directly.

See the states where funding is confirmed →

Questions parents ask about Minnesota

Is homeschooling legal in Minnesota?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Minnesota. Minnesota has moderate homeschool regulation — some requirements apply but they are generally manageable. Koydo can put the dates your state lists on your calendar.

Do I need to file a Notice of Intent to homeschool in Minnesota?

Yes. Minnesota requires families to file a Notice of Intent by Send your district superintendent your child's name, birth date and address, the name of each instructor, the tests you plan to use, and evidence that the instructor qualifies. File by October 1 of the first school year your child is taught at home after turning 7, or within 15 days of withdrawing a child over 7 from public school. Each October 1 after that, send a letter of intent to continue (ages 7 to 16, and 16 to 17 if the first report was filed after 16). Also report within 15 days of moving out of a district, and by October 1 after a new district of residence begins. Minn. Stat. 120A.24, subd. 1.. This notice must be renewed annually.

How many instruction days are required in Minnesota?

Minnesota does not mandate a minimum amount of instruction time.

What subjects are required by law in Minnesota?

Minnesota requires instruction in the following subjects: Basic communication skills (reading and writing, literature, fine arts), Mathematics and science, Social studies (history, geography, economics, government, citizenship), Health and physical education.

Does Minnesota require annual assessment for homeschoolers?

Yes. Minnesota requires annual assessment. Accepted methods include: Every year, children ages 7 to 16 (and 16 to 17 if first reported after 16) not in public school are assessed with a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement test, You and the district superintendent agree on the specific test, how it is given and where, If the test does not cover every required subject, the parent assesses the rest (parents who do not meet the license, supervision, accredited-school or degree route), Exempt if taught in a school or by a person or institution accredited by a recognized agency (Minn. Stat. 123B.445) or recognized by the commissioner.

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Minnesota?

Minnesota has teacher qualification requirements: Minnesota law says whoever teaches your child must meet at least one of these: hold a Minnesota teaching license in the field and grade taught; be directly supervised by a licensed Minnesota teacher; teach in a school accredited by a recognized agency; hold a bachelor's degree; or be the child's parent, with the child assessed under the yearly testing rule. Minn. Stat. 120A.22, subd. 10.

Can homeschoolers participate in public school sports in Minnesota?

Minnesota has a law on this. The school board must let resident pupils taught in a home school be eligible to fully participate in district extracurricular activities on the same basis as public school students. Minn. Stat. 123B.49, subd. 4(a). League and district rules may differ; check with your district.

Worth knowing about Minnesota

Minnesota is moderately regulated: you report to your district superintendent each year, your child takes a yearly nationally norm-referenced test (you and the superintendent agree on which), and you keep records of what you teach. If a child scores at or below the 30th percentile, or a grade level behind, you must get an additional evaluation.

Who to ask in Minnesota

Regulator: Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)
Official site: education.mn.gov/mde/fam/nphs/home/
Forms: education.mn.gov/mde/fam/nphs/home/

Tools for your first year

The free tools below work whether or not you ever pay us a penny; each tile says what it needs. Use what helps with Minnesota's requirements and ignore the rest.

Transcript builderBuild a clean high-school transcript with GPA and credits. Free copies carry a small Koydo watermark.No account needed Starting guideThe whole first year in five steps, written for someone who has never done this before.No account needed Printable worksheetsPrint practice pages by grade and subject for the days a screen is the wrong answer. A few free pages every day.Free with a Koydo account State fundingSee whether your state puts education money in your hands, and how to claim it.Free with a Koydo account Paperwork generatorFill in your details and get the letter or affidavit your state expects, already worded for it.Needs HomeSchool Premium Instruction day logTick off days as you go so the count is already done when your state asks for it.Needs HomeSchool Premium

Other states

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Last checked in March 2026. Laws change between checks, so confirm anything you are about to file with Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). This is information for families, not legal advice.

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How to start homeschooling in Minnesota

Written from Minnesota's own rules. If a step is missing below, it is because your state does not ask for it.

Withdraw from the school your child attends now

If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are moving to home education. Keep a dated copy for yourself — it is the record that closes out their enrollment.

Send your notice of intent

Minnesota asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: Send your district superintendent your child's name, birth date and address, the name of each instructor, the tests you plan to use, and evidence that the instructor qualifies. File by October 1 of the first school year your child is taught at home after turning 7, or within 15 days of withdrawing a child over 7 from public school. Each October 1 after that, send a letter of intent to continue (ages 7 to 16, and 16 to 17 if the first report was filed after 16). Also report within 15 days of moving out of a district, and by October 1 after a new district of residence begins. Minn. Stat. 120A.24, subd. 1. You will do this again at the start of every school year. It goes to Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).

Cover the subjects the state names

Minnesota names 4 subject areas to teach. How you teach them, in what order, and with which materials is entirely up to you.

Keep a light record as you go

Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. Minnesota expects you to keep a portfolio of your child's work.

Plan the assessment early

Minnesota asks for an assessment. You can choose from: Every year, children ages 7 to 16 (and 16 to 17 if first reported after 16) not in public school are assessed with a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement test; You and the district superintendent agree on the specific test, how it is given and where; If the test does not cover every required subject, the parent assesses the rest (parents who do not meet the license, supervision, accredited-school or degree route); Exempt if taught in a school or by a person or institution accredited by a recognized agency (Minn. Stat. 123B.445) or recognized by the commissioner. Deciding early which route you will take saves a scramble.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it

Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)

When it is due

Send your district superintendent your child's name, birth date and address, the name of each instructor, the tests you plan to use, and evidence that the instructor qualifies. File by October 1 of the first school year your child is taught at home after turning 7, or within 15 days of withdrawing a child over 7 from public school. Each October 1 after that, send a letter of intent to continue (ages 7 to 16, and 16 to 17 if the first report was filed after 16). Also report within 15 days of moving out of a district, and by October 1 after a new district of residence begins. Minn. Stat. 120A.24, subd. 1.

How often

Every school year

Notarized?

Official form

education.mn.gov/mde/fam/nphs/home/

Ongoing reporting

Yes, once a year

Testing, portfolios and reviews

Assessment

Required

Ways to meet it

Every year, children ages 7 to 16 (and 16 to 17 if first reported after 16) not in public school are assessed with a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement test
You and the district superintendent agree on the specific test, how it is given and where
If the test does not cover every required subject, the parent assesses the rest (parents who do not meet the license, supervision, accredited-school or degree route)
Exempt if taught in a school or by a person or institution accredited by a recognized agency (Minn. Stat. 123B.445) or recognized by the commissioner

Named tests

Any nationally norm-referenced achievement test agreed upon by parent and superintendent

Portfolio

A portfolio of your child's work must be kept and may be reviewed

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects

Basic communication skills (reading and writing, literature, fine arts)Mathematics and scienceSocial studies (history, geography, economics, government, citizenship)Health and physical education

Instruction time

Minnesota sets no minimum number of days or hours.

Who may teach

Minnesota law says whoever teaches your child must meet at least one of these: hold a Minnesota teaching license in the field and grade taught; be directly supervised by a licensed Minnesota teacher; teach in a school accredited by a recognized agency; hold a bachelor's degree; or be the child's parent, with the child assessed under the yearly testing rule. Minn. Stat. 120A.22, subd. 10.

Keeping records

Keep a portfolio of your child's work.

Legal routes

Home instruction under Minn. Stat. 120A.22 and 120A.24 - report to the district superintendent
Instruction in a school or by a person or institution accredited by a recognized agency (Minn. Stat. 123B.445) or recognized by the commissioner - exempt from the yearly testing rule and the records duty

Umbrella / cover schools

Some families enroll in a school or program accredited by a recognized agency, which is exempt from the yearly testing rule (Minn. Stat. 120A.22, subd. 11(d)). Check that the program's accreditation is recognized under Minn. Stat. 123B.445 or by the commissioner.

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Public school sports

Dual enrollment

Minnesota's Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program (Minn. Stat. 124D.09) covers home-schooled students in grades 10, 11 and 12 as 'alternative pupils'. They must register with the Minnesota Department of Education before taking part. The state pays the college for courses taken for secondary credit, and the college may not charge fees, textbooks or materials for those courses.

Diplomas

Minnesota sets no state diploma for home-schooled students; your family decides how to document credits. Check with the college or employer about what they accept.

College admissions

College admissions requirements vary by institution. Check each college's current admissions page for its homeschool applicant requirements.

Support for additional needs

Special-education eligibility and services after withdrawal from public school depend on your circumstances and the applicable rules. Confirm with your school district or your state education agency.