Homeschooling in North Dakota

The homeschool rules in North Dakota, 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: North Dakota official page.

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

Compulsory school age: Age 7 until 16. A 6-year-old enrolled in a public school must attend. – N.D.C.C. 15.1-20-01, checked October 25, 2026.

Your options

Home education under NDCC chapter 15.1-23. Private or nonpublic school is a separate option.

Notice or letter of intent

File a Statement of Intent to Supervise Home Education (SFN 16909) with the superintendent of the resident school district, or the county superintendent if the district has none. File at least 5 days before starting, or within 14 days of moving into the district, then once each year. This is annual, with a separate form per child.

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

Who you deal with locally

In North Dakota, you deal with the superintendent of your resident school district – or the county superintendent if your district has none.

What you send: A Statement of Intent to Supervise Home Education (state form SFN 16909) – one per child.
When: At least 5 days before you start (or within 14 days of moving into the district), then every year.
Find your office: North Dakota DPI: SFN 16909 (form) · Find your school district (U.S. Department of Education NCES search – by name, city, county or ZIP code).

We link to official finders rather than list every district. If your district or county has its own form or deadlines, follow those as well as the state rules above. See which states are handled locally.

Subjects, time, assessment and records

Subjects: The subjects required by law for public school students (NDCC 15.1-23-04).
Days or hours: At least 4 hours a day for at least 175 days a year (NDCC 15.1-23-04).
Testing or assessment: A standardized achievement test in grades 4, 6, 8 and 10 (NDCC 15.1-23-09), given by an ND-licensed or approved teacher, unless the parent claims an exemption on SFN 16909. A basic composite below the 30th percentile triggers a multidisciplinary assessment for a learning problem. If none is found, the parent files a remediation plan with a licensed teacher (15.1-23-11), or loses the right to supervise.
Not yet confirmed: the test grades (4, 6, 8 and 10) and the 30th-percentile and remediation rules were read from bill drafts; that they are the current law is not confirmed. Check your state’s official page: North Dakota official page.
Records: Keep an annual record of courses and progress assessments, including standardized test results (NDCC 15.1-23-05), and give it to a public school on request if the child transfers.

Parent qualifications

A high school diploma or GED. A parent without one must be monitored by an ND-licensed teacher, through the district or arranged by the family (NDCC 15.1-23-03, -06).

Other rules

The parent is solely responsible for the education (15.1-23-01). The statement must include proof of identity and immunization, and list any public school courses or activities the child will take. A foster parent cannot file without guardianship or educational decision-making authority.

Official forms

Statement of Intent (SFN 16909): nd.gov/… ; DPI guidance: nd.gov/…

The law

NDCC 15.1-23-01 to 15.1-23-19 – read the law

Who to contact

North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) – Office of School Approval & Operations (handles home education)[email protected] · 701-328-2284 (School Approval & Operations) / 701-328-2260 (DPI general) · Official page · More from this officeWho handles notices: Local district (district superintendent, or county superintendent if none); state DPI gives guidance – who you deal with locally

Special education and public school classes and sports

The statement form lets parents list public school academic courses and extracurricular activities the child will take, so participation is allowed under NDCC 15.1-23. Detailed special education and Child Find rules could not be read from the statute.

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

Going back to public school in North Dakota

North Dakota law says that if your child transfers to a public school district, you must give the district superintendent or other administrator the annual record of courses and progress assessments when asked (N.D.C.C. 15.1-23-05).

Source: North Dakota Department of Public Instruction: Home education guidance

To enroll, contact the enrollment or registration office of your local school district or public school, and ask how it decides grade placement and credits before your child starts. See the North Dakota official page, and 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.