Homeschooling in Minnesota

The homeschool rules in Minnesota, from official sources: your options, any notice, what to teach and record, testing, official forms, the law and who to contact.

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Last checked: October 25, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice – check your state’s official page: Minnesota official page.

Broad level: Moderate regulation – our own rough summary, what the levels mean.

Your options

Home school operates as an unaccredited nonpublic school; the instructor must meet one 120A.22 subd. 10 option (licensed teacher; supervised by a licensed teacher; bachelor's degree; or parent, with the child assessed under subd. 11).

Notice or letter of intent

Initial report to the resident superintendent by Oct 1 of the first year after age 7, or within 15 days of withdrawal or moving. It gives the child's name, birth date, address, tests to be used, instructors and evidence of qualification. Annual letter of intent to continue by Oct 1 (ages 7–16). Districts cannot require electronic submission (120A.24).

Need a letter? See our letter of intent and withdrawal letter templates – but use the official form below if there is one.

Subjects, time, assessment and records

Subjects: Basic communication (reading and writing), literature, fine arts, mathematics, science, social studies, health and physical education (120A.22 subd. 9); state standards do not apply.
Days or hours: No minimum number of days or hours.
Testing or assessment: Annual nationally norm-referenced achievement test (120A.22 subd. 11), agreed by parent and superintendent; accredited homeschools are exempt. A score at or below the 30th percentile, or one grade level behind, requires an evaluation for learning problems. Keep proof of administration; scores go to a public school if the child enrolls full time.
Records: Keep class schedules, instruction materials and descriptions of assessment methods (120A.24 subd. 2), available to the county attorney in truancy or child-protection proceedings.

Parent qualifications

One of the subd. 10 options; a parent qualifies if the child is assessed under subd. 11.

Other rules

Superintendents report nonpublic compliance to MDE by Dec 1 (subd. 4 amended 2025).

Official forms

District-issued Initial Registration Form for Unaccredited Nonpublic Schools (MDE template, updated 07/25/23), e.g. bemidji.k12.mn.us/…

The law

Minn. Stat. §§120A.22, 120A.24 – read the law

Who to contact

Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) – MDE (superintendents report to MDE; families report to the district)No email published · 651-582-8200 · Official pageWho handles notices: Local district (report to resident superintendent)

Special education and public school classes and sports

Districts must provide special education services to resident homeschool students (federal law). On request they also provide textbooks and health services, and guidance and counseling for grades 7–12 at a public or neutral site. Shared-time courses and PSEO are available. Homeschools of 5 or fewer students may join resident district extracurriculars (fees may apply) and MSHSL activities.

Federal rules on Child Find and evaluations apply in every state – see special education.

Going back to public school in Minnesota

To enroll your child in a public school in Minnesota, contact the enrollment or registration office of your local school district or public school. Ask how it decides grade placement and whether it accepts credits from homeschooling before your child starts, and bring the records you choose to share. We didn’t find a state rule on this for Minnesota in the official sources we checked – see the Minnesota official page and ask the district.

See going back to school after homeschooling for what to bring, placement, credits and special education.

Last checked: October 25, 2026. Report a change to this page

Official sources

Last checked against these sources: October 25, 2026.

This is general information, not legal advice – check your state’s official page. This page sums up official sources in our own words. Homeschool laws differ from state to state and can change. Check your state’s official page and your local school district’s guidance, and get qualified advice for your situation. Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education, any state education agency, school district, College Board, ACT, the GED Testing Service, HiSET, CLT or the Common App.