Homeschooling in North Dakota

If you’re wondering how to homeschool in North Dakota, it’s a good idea to do your research first. Homeschool laws vary by state, and each one’s are a little different! Whether you’ve homeschooled before, or you just decided to make the switch to homeschooling, you’re in the right place.

Homeschooling in North Dakota at a Glance

North Dakota – The Peace Garden State

	Home Education Law	Private School
Required Age	7-16	7-16
Standardized Testing	Required (exemptions available)	Not required
Subjects*additional subjects may apply	English language arts, math, science, social studies, physical education, and health*	English language arts, math, science, social studies, physical education, and health*
Time Requirements	4 hours daily for 175 days	4 hours daily for 180 days
Graduation Requirements	Determined by diploma-granting organization	Determined by diploma-granting organization
Special Requirements	Immunization required	Immunization required
Financial Assistance Available	No	No

There are two methods available for homeschooling in North Dakota. We suggest learning about each option to determine which is best for you and your student. 

Home Education Law

Homeschooling under the Home Education Law is for parents who do not have teaching certifications. This method does have more requirements for the Notice of Intent, testing, and preliminary supervision than the private school option does. Additionally, there is a trial period where your child must meet standardized assessment minimum percentiles for you to continue homeschooling. 

Private School

If you are a North Dakota certified teacher, you can choose the private school option. This option has fewer restrictions and no supervisory period. There is no trial period if you select the private school option. 

Parent Qualifications

If you are choosing the Home Education Law option, you’ll need to have a high school diploma or equivalent. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to homeschool under the supervision of a North Dakota-certified teacher for at least two years. If you are being supervised, and your child scores below the 50th percentile on their annual assessment, you’ll need to be supervised for an additional year. 

Parents who choose the private school option must hold a valid teaching credential from the State of North Dakota. You will also need to complete a background check. 

Notice of Intent

Both methods require homeschoolers to submit an annual Notice of Intent. This notice should be sent no later than 14 days before beginning to homeschool or 14 days after moving to a new North Dakota school district. 

Your notice should include a copy of your qualification to homeschool, proof of your child’s identity and immunization records, and any documents requesting your child’s participation in public school extracurriculars. You can find this form here. This form should be submitted to your child’s school superintendent, or the county superintendent, if necessary.

Attendance

Families homeschooling under the home education law option are required to teach for a minimum of four hours daily, for 175 days per year. 

Families who choose the private school option are required to teach for a minimum of four hours daily, for 180 days per year. 

Curriculum

Parents are responsible for providing a homeschool curriculum that teaches the state-mandated subjects. For elementary and middle school students, these subjects include: 

In the 4th and 8th grades, the social studies course should also include the history, geography, and agriculture of North Dakota.

For high school students, the required courses include: 

Many homeschoolers also choose to follow North Dakota’s educational standards. This can help ensure their child will be prepared should they need to enroll in a public school in the future. For more information on academic standards by grade, you can visit the North Dakota K-12 Education Content Standards website.

Testing

Testing is required if you do not file for an exemption. When you file your Notice of Intent, you can opt out of testing for philosophical or religious reasons or opt out if you hold a teaching certification or bachelor’s degree.

If you are not exempt, your student will need to take a standardized test in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10. This can be a test that’s provided by your local public school district or a nationally normed test, such as the IOWA Assessment or Stanford 10. 

The test must be administered in your homeschool’s typical teaching environment or at your local public school. Only a certified teacher can administer the exam. You’ll want to save a copy of the exam score for your personal records and send another copy to the superintendent.

Record Keeping

The State of North Dakota requires parents to keep records for each year of homeschool. A homeschool portfolio is a great way to keep all of your important documents safe. Materials you need to include in this portfolio are: 

• A list of all courses taken
• Progress reports
• Test scores

In addition, keeping copies of all Notices of Intent, as well as immunization records, can be helpful. We recommend keeping at least two years’ worth of records for each portfolio. It can also serve as a unique keepsake for your student to remember all the time spent learning together!

Transcripts

If your student is college-bound, they will likely need a high school transcript for their application. A transcript includes a list of the courses taken, credit hours, and final grades your student earns from grades 9-12. You can make your own transcripts or enroll in an online homeschool program that provides them for you.

Graduation Requirements

In North Dakota, homeschool students have the ability to earn an accredited diploma from their local public school, from an approved nonpublic high school, or through the North Dakota Center for Distance Education. They will have to meet the graduation requirements provided by whichever school’s diploma they wish to earn. They will also need to pass the North Dakota civics exam in order to earn their diploma. 

Financial Resources

Unfortunately, there are no state-funded programs available to help cover the cost of homeschooling at this time. However, private grants and scholarships may be available.

Other Tips & Resources

For more information about homeschooling and how to find other homeschool groups in North Dakota, check out: 

• Home Education FAQ from the Department of Public Instruction
• Organizations & Support Groups from the Homeschool Mom

If you have any questions about homeschooling or how Miacademy and MiaPrep align with the laws in your state, feel free to reach out to our friendly customer service team! 

Please keep in mind that the information provided is intended for research purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. To obtain accurate and comprehensive details on North Dakota homeschool laws, we recommend consulting the official resources and guidelines provided by your state. Additionally, staying informed about any changes to these laws is important, so be sure to look out for any updates. 

FAQ

What are the requirements to homeschool in North Dakota? 

To homeschool in North Dakota, you’ll need to be qualified, submit your notice of intent, teach the required subjects for at least 175 days, take annual tests as needed, and keep the required records.

Can you homeschool in North Dakota? 

Yes! Homeschooling is completely legal in North Dakota, and there are plenty of resources available to help you understand the laws and regulations. Parents are able to explore the many different types of homeschooling and decide what works best for them and their students.

Information accurate as of: 09/15/2023. The information provided on this site is intended for research purposes only. Miaplaza is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outdated information, or for the results yielded through use of this information.