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Homeschool laws in Minnesota

Checked Oct 12, 2026 against 3 sources · General information, not legal advice.

Your Minnesota to-do

For “Home school (parent instruction)”. 1 other legal way below.

  1. Send the first report to your superintendent First year
    By October 1 of the first school year the child is taught after turning 7.
  2. Send the first report after leaving public school If leaving a school
    Within 15 days of withdrawing a child 7 or older from public school to teach them at home.
  3. Send the letter of intent to continue Every year after
    By October 1 of each school year, with any changes to the reported information.
  4. Give the yearly standardized achievement test Every year
    Every year for children 7 through 16 (and 16 through 17 if the first report was filed after 16); the test, its administration and its location are agreed with the superintendent.
  5. Report again after moving Every year
    Within 15 days of moving out of a district, and by October 1 after a new resident district is established.

Homepen turns this into reminders and ready-to-send letters, and counts your days and hours.

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What Minnesota asks

Minnesota home schools send a report to the superintendent of their resident school district (by October 1 of the first school year after the child turns 7, or within 15 days of leaving public school) and then a letter of intent to continue by October 1 each year, and teach the required subject areas. Each year the child takes a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement test agreed with the superintendent, and the family keeps class schedules, instructional materials, descriptions of how achievement is assessed and proof of testing.

School age: Ages 7–17. Every child between 7 and 17 must receive instruction unless they have graduated. A 17-year-old may withdraw only after the student and parent meet with school personnel and sign a written election to withdraw. A child under 7 enrolled in kindergarten must also receive instruction, but the parent may withdraw a child under 7.

Minnesota has 2 legal ways to homeschool. Pick the one that fits your family; Homepen asks you when you set up.

Home school (parent instruction)

Minn. Stat. § 120A.22, subds. 4, 5, 9, 10, 11; § 120A.24 · Level 4: More involved

All the details, deadlines and notes
Notice
Every year: First report to the superintendent of the district where the child lives (child's name, birth date and address, the annual tests you intend to use, each instructor's name, and evidence of the instructor's qualification): by October 1 of the first school year the child is taught after turning 7, within 15 days of withdrawing a child 7 or older from public school, within 15 days of moving out of a district, and by October 1 after a new resident district is established. Then, by October 1 of each school year, a letter of intent to continue with any changes (for children 7 to 16, and 16 to 17 if the first report was filed after 16). The superintendent may not require electronic submission.
Time
No set number of days or hours
Subjects
  • basic communication skills: reading and writing, literature and fine arts
  • mathematics and science
  • social studies: history, geography, economics, government and citizenship
  • health and physical education
  • instruction, textbooks and materials in English
Assessment
Standardized test: Every year for children 7 through 16 (and 16 through 17 if the first report was filed after 16): a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement test, chosen and administered as agreed with the superintendent. A parent who is not a licensed teacher (or supervised by one) also assesses the subjects the test does not cover. A total battery score at or below the 30th percentile, or one grade level below, requires an additional evaluation for learning problems.
No date in the law; the test is taken each year and the family keeps proof that it was given (results are not sent to the district).
Portfolio
Not required
Reports
No reports to send
Records to keep
  • documentation that the required subjects are taught: class schedules, copies of instructional materials and descriptions of the methods used to assess achievement
  • proof that the annual tests were given
Teacher
Each instructor meets one of: a valid Minnesota teaching license for the field and grade; direct supervision by a licensed Minnesota teacher; teaching in an accredited or recognized school; a baccalaureate degree; or being the parent of a child who is assessed under the annual testing rules.

Deadlines

  • Send the first report to your superintendent: By October 1 of the first school year the child is taught after turning 7.
  • Send the first report after leaving public school: Within 15 days of withdrawing a child 7 or older from public school to teach them at home.
  • Send the letter of intent to continue: By October 1 of each school year, with any changes to the reported information.
  • Give the yearly standardized achievement test: Every year for children 7 through 16 (and 16 through 17 if the first report was filed after 16); the test, its administration and its location are agreed with the superintendent.
  • Report again after moving: Within 15 days of moving out of a district, and by October 1 after a new resident district is established.
If the child later enrolls full time in a public school, the parent gives that school the child's annual test scores and the education documents it asks for to place the child.

How Homepen helps

Homepen counts your days and hours as you tick lessons, and makes: Notice-of-intent letter, filled in, Attendance & hours report, Daily log, Reading list, Portfolio and evaluator packet, Year-end summary, Report card, High-school transcript, Course descriptions.

Another option: Instruction by an accredited or recognized nonpublic school

Minn. Stat. § 120A.22, subds. 10(3), 11(d); § 120A.24, subds. 1, 3 · Level 2: Light

All the details, deadlines
Notice
Every year: The person or nonpublic school in charge of the instruction sends the superintendent of the child's resident district the child's name, birth date and address, each instructor's name and evidence of the instructor's qualification: by October 1 of the first school year after the child turns 7, within 15 days of moving out of a district, and by October 1 after a new resident district is established; then a letter of intent to continue by October 1 of each school year.
Time
No set number of days or hours
Subjects
  • basic communication skills: reading and writing, literature and fine arts
  • mathematics and science
  • social studies: history, geography, economics, government and citizenship
  • health and physical education
  • instruction, textbooks and materials in English
Assessment
No assessment required
Portfolio
Not required
Reports
No reports to send
Records to keep
No records required by the law
Teacher
Instruction is provided in a school accredited by an accrediting agency, recognized under § 123B.445, or recognized by the commissioner.

Deadlines

  • The school in charge sends the first report: By October 1 of the first school year the child is taught after turning 7.
  • The school in charge sends the letter of intent to continue: By October 1 of each school year.

How Homepen helps

Homepen counts your days and hours as you tick lessons, and makes: Attendance & hours report, Report card, High-school transcript.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Laws change: we check every source at least every 6 months and before each school year. If something looks wrong, tell us. The state agency for homeschooling questions is the Minnesota Department of Education.

Keep your Minnesota records without the paperwork

Plan the week, tick lessons, and Homepen keeps the days, hours and portfolio Minnesota asks for.

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