How to start homeschooling in Minnesota
The legal steps, in order, checked against Minnesota law.
Short answer: Minnesota requires every child between 7 and 17 to receive instruction, and a home school counts as a school when it follows the compulsory instruction laws. The person in charge of instruction reports to the resident district superintendent by October 1, then files a letter of intent each year. The child must be taught the required subject areas, take a nationally norm-referenced achievement test each year, and the parent must keep documentation.
Checked against Minn. Stat. 120A.22, subds. 4, 5, 9, 10, 11 on Nov 8, 2026. Compulsory school ages: 7 to 17. This is what the law says, not legal advice.
Minnesota gives you 2 legal ways to homeschool. Pick one and follow its steps.
Option 1: Home school under the compulsory instruction law
Parents, or other instructors who meet the state's instructor rules, teaching a child at home.
Steps
- Make sure each instructor meets at least one requirement in 120A.22, subd. 10. A parent qualifies if the child is assessed under subd. 11.
- Send the resident district superintendent the child's name, birth date, and address, the annual test you plan to use, each instructor's name, and evidence the instructor qualifies. Do this by October 1 of the first school year after the child turns 7, or within 15 days of withdrawing a child 7 or older from public school.
- Teach the required subject areas in English: reading, writing, literature, and fine arts; mathematics and science; social studies including history, geography, economics, government, and citizenship; and health and physical education.
- Agree with the superintendent on which nationally norm-referenced achievement test the child will take, and how and where it is given. Test the child each year.
- Keep documentation: class schedules, copies of instructional materials, descriptions of how you assess achievement, and proof the tests were given.
- By October 1 of each school year, send the superintendent a letter of intent to continue, with any changes to the earlier information. Report again within 15 days of moving out of a district, and by October 1 after a new resident district is established.
| Notice to the state | Yes To: The superintendent of the resident school district When: By October 1 of the first school year after the child turns 7, or within 15 days of withdrawing a child 7 or older from public school, then a letter of intent by October 1 each year |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Basic communication skills including reading and writing, literature, and fine arts; mathematics and science; social studies including history, geography, economics, government, and citizenship; and health and physical education. Instruction and materials must be in English, with limited exceptions. |
| Time | None required by law |
| Parent qualifications | Each instructor must meet one of these: a valid Minnesota teaching license for the field and grade; direct supervision by a licensed teacher; teaching in an accredited or commissioner-recognized school; a bachelor's degree; or being the parent of a child who is assessed under 120A.22, subd. 11. |
| Testing or evaluation | Each year, children 7 through 16 take a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement test agreed on with the superintendent. A parent who is not licensed or supervised by a licensed teacher must also assess any required subject the test does not cover. If the total battery score is at or below the 30th percentile, or one grade level below, the parent must get an additional evaluation to check for learning problems. |
| Records to keep | Documentation that the required subjects are taught and proof the tests were given, including class schedules, copies of instructional materials, and descriptions of assessment methods. It must be made available to the county attorney if a truancy or related case is started. |
The law: Minn. Stat. 120A.22, subds. 4, 5, 9, 10, 11 Minn. Stat. 120A.24, subds. 1, 2
Option 2: Accredited or commissioner-recognized nonpublic school or instructor
Families whose child is taught by a nonpublic school, person, or institution accredited by a state-recognized agency or recognized by the commissioner.
Steps
- Confirm the school, person, or institution is accredited by an agency recognized under 123B.445, or recognized by the commissioner.
- The person or school in charge of instruction files the initial report and annual letter of intent with the resident district superintendent.
| Notice to the state | Yes To: The superintendent of the resident school district When: By October 1 of the first school year after the child turns 7, then a letter of intent by October 1 each year |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Basic communication skills including reading and writing, literature, and fine arts; mathematics and science; social studies including history, geography, economics, government, and citizenship; and health and physical education |
| Time | None required by law |
| Parent qualifications | Teaching in an accredited or recognized school satisfies the instructor requirement. |
| Testing or evaluation | None required by law. Accredited or recognized providers are exempt from the annual test requirement. |
| Records to keep | None required by law. Accredited or recognized providers are exempt from the documentation requirement. |
The law: Minn. Stat. 120A.22, subds. 10, 11(d) Minn. Stat. 120A.24, subds. 1, 3
Leaving public school mid-year
When a parent withdraws a child age 7 or older from public school to teach the child in a nonpublic school that is not accredited, which includes a home school, the initial report is due to the superintendent within 15 days of withdrawal. A 17 year old who withdraws from school entirely must attend a meeting with school staff and sign a written election with the parent.
High school, transcripts and diplomas
When a child who was taught in an unaccredited nonpublic or home school enrolls full time in public school, the parent must give the school the child's annual test scores and other education documents the district requires to decide placement and course requirements.
Public school sports and activities
Yes. Minn. Stat. 123B.49, subd. 4 requires the school board to let resident home school students participate fully in extracurricular activities on the same basis as public school students.
After the paperwork
Common questions
Do I have to tell the state I am homeschooling in Minnesota?
Yes, under the home school under the compulsory instruction law route, you notify the superintendent of the resident school district by October 1 of the first school year after the child turns 7, or within 15 days of withdrawing a child 7 or older from public school, then a letter of intent by October 1 each year.
Is testing required for homeschoolers in Minnesota?
Each year, children 7 through 16 take a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement test agreed on with the superintendent. A parent who is not licensed or supervised by a licensed teacher must also assess any required subject the test does not cover. If the total battery score is at or below the 30th percentile, or one grade level below, the parent must get an additional evaluation to check for learning problems.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Minnesota?
Basic communication skills including reading and writing, literature, and fine arts; mathematics and science; social studies including history, geography, economics, government, and citizenship; and health and physical education. Instruction and materials must be in English, with limited exceptions.
What ages must be schooled in Minnesota?
Ages 7 to 17, per state law.
Sources
We read each source on Nov 8, 2026 and recheck every guide each quarter. Laws change. If something here no longer matches the state, write to us and we will fix it.