How to Homeschool in North Dakota

North Dakota homeschool law in detail

We link the governing law so you can read it yourself instead of taking our word for it. The governing law is N.D.C.C. Chapter 15.1-23 (Home Education statute).

Notice / letter of intent

North Dakota requires a statement of intent to supervise home education, filed at least 5 days before you begin homeschooling, or within 14 days of establishing residence in a school district, and once each year thereafter (N.D.C.C. 15.1-23-02). It goes to the superintendent of your district of residence (or the county superintendent if the district has none). The statement must include each child's name, address, date of birth, and grade level; the supervising parent's name, address, and qualifications; any public school courses or extracurricular activities the child will participate in; plus a copy of the child's immunization record and proof of identity. The state form is SFN 16909, available from the Department of Public Instruction. HSLDA recommends sending it by certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of filing.

Required subjects

A homeschooling parent must teach the subjects required by law for public school students (N.D.C.C. 15.1-23-04, referencing chapter 15.1-21). At the elementary and middle levels that means English language arts, math, social studies (including North Dakota studies in grades 4 and 8), science, physical education, and health. High schoolers add literature, composition, lab-area sciences, U.S. history and civics-related coursework, and electives such as foreign language, fine arts, or career and technical education. You choose the curriculum and materials yourself.

Required days or hours

Instruction must run at least 4 hours per day for a minimum of 175 days each year (N.D.C.C. 15.1-23-04). How you schedule those hours and days is up to you.

Recordkeeping

You must keep an annual record of the courses your child has taken and your child's academic progress assessments, including any standardized test results (N.D.C.C. 15.1-23-05). If your child later transfers to a public school, you furnish that record to the district on request. Many families simply keep a simple binder or spreadsheet per school year.

Testing and assessment

In grades 4, 6, 8, and 10, a homeschooled child must take either the standardized achievement test used by the local district or a nationally normed standardized achievement test, administered by a North Dakota licensed or approved teacher, and the results are filed with the superintendent (N.D.C.C. 15.1-23-09 and 15.1-23-11). If the composite score falls below the 30th percentile, an assessment for a potential learning problem and a remediation plan can follow. The good news: you are exempt from testing entirely if you notify the district of a philosophical, moral, or religious objection to standardized tests, or if the supervising parent is a licensed teacher, holds a bachelor's degree, or met the cutoff on a national teacher exam. The exemption notice is filed along with your annual statement of intent.

Withdrawing from public school

North Dakota law does not prescribe a separate withdrawal form. The safe sequence is to file your statement of intent at least 5 days before you begin homeschooling, then give the school a short written notice that your child is withdrawing to home education. Keep copies of both. Once the statement of intent is on file, your child is excused from public school attendance.

Good to know

Extracurricular and public school course access is written directly into the homeschool statute, you simply list intended courses and activities on the annual statement of intent. Children with diagnosed developmental disabilities have a separate path with a services plan and periodic progress reports (N.D.C.C. 15.1-23-14 and 15.1-23-15). The North Dakota Home School Association (ndhsa.org) tracks legislation each session and is a good local ally.