Minnesota homeschool law

Notice, days or hours, subjects, testing and records, in plain words, with the source for each.

This is general information, not legal advice; check your state's own page. Laws change, and Minnesota's own statute and education department are the final word. The links below go straight to them.

Checked on October 27, 2026 against the sources linked on this page.

What to file in Minnesota

File: A report with the instructor's qualifications and the test you will use; then a letter of intent each year. §
To: Superintendent of the school district where your child lives (not the state). §
By: October 1 of the first year (or within 15 days of withdrawing a child 7 or older); then October 1 each year. §
Keep: Class schedules, copies of materials, how achievement is assessed, and test scores. §
Test: A nationally norm-referenced test every year; at or below the 30th percentile needs a further evaluation. §

Starting this year

By October 1 of the first school year after your child turns 7: Send the superintendent of your district the first report.
Each year: Give the nationally norm-referenced achievement test you and the superintendent agreed on, and keep the results.

Already homeschooling

By October 1: Send the superintendent a letter of intent to continue.
Each year: Give the nationally norm-referenced achievement test you and the superintendent agreed on, and keep the results.

Leaving a school mid-year

Within 15 days of withdrawing a child aged 7 or older: Send the superintendent the report.

When a parent withdraws a child from public school after age seven to teach at home, the report to the superintendent is due within 15 days. The same 15-day deadline applies if you move out of a district; after moving, report again by October 1.

Open your attendance record Write the letter Start the Tap Clock, if you want to

Checked October 31, 2026. § = source: Minnesota Statutes 120A.24 Reporting (Revisor of Statutes); Minnesota Statutes 120A.22 Compulsory instruction (Revisor of Statutes). Information, not legal advice.

Quick answers

Notice: Notice every yearTell your resident school district's superintendent: the child's name, birth date and address, the name of each instructor with proof the instructor meets the law, and the annual test you plan to use. The first report is due by October 1 of the first school year the child is taught at home after turning seven, or within 15 days of withdrawing a child from public school after age seven. After that, send a letter of intent by October 1 each school year. Do not send it to the state department. Checked October 27, 2026. Source: Minnesota Statutes 120A.24 Reporting (Revisor of Statutes)
Days or hours: No number givenWe did not find a required number of days or hours for homeschools in the compulsory instruction law (sections 120A.22 and 120A.24) or in the Department of Education's homeschool questions and answers. The law requires instruction in the listed subject areas, in English. Checked October 27, 2026. Source: Minnesota Statutes 120A.22 Compulsory instruction (Revisor of Statutes)
Subjects: Instruction must cover at least: basic communication skills including reading and writing, literature, and fine arts; mathematics and science; social studies including history, geography, economics, government and citizenship; and health and physical education. Instruction, textbooks and materials must be in English. Checked October 27, 2026. Source: Minnesota Statutes 120A.22 Compulsory instruction (Revisor of Statutes)
Testing or evaluation: A testEach year the child's performance must be assessed with a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement test (children ages seven through 16, and ages 16 through 17 if the first report was filed after age 16). The parent and the superintendent must agree on the test and where and how it is given. Results are kept with the homeschool records and do not go to the district unless asked. A score at or below the 30th percentile means the parent must get an additional evaluation. Accredited homeschools are exempt. Checked October 27, 2026. Source: Minnesota Statutes 120A.22 Compulsory instruction (Revisor of Statutes)
Records: Keep documentation that the required subjects are being taught and proof the yearly tests were given. It must include class schedules, copies of materials used for instruction and descriptions of how achievement is assessed, plus test scores. It must be available to the county attorney if a case begins, and given to a public school the child later enrolls in. Checked October 27, 2026. Source: Minnesota Statutes 120A.24 Reporting (Revisor of Statutes)

Who must attend school: Every child between seven and 17 years of age must receive instruction unless the child has graduated. A homeschool counts as a type of nonpublic school (Minnesota Statutes 120A.22). Source: Minnesota Statutes 120A.22 Compulsory instruction (Revisor of Statutes)
Education savings accounts and vouchers: No program foundWe did not find a state-funded education savings account or voucher open to homeschool families on the Minnesota Department of Education's homeschool pages (checked 2026-10-27). The department says homeschools are not eligible for per-pupil general education funding; limited help comes from the Aids to Nonpublic Students program and a state income tax credit and subtraction. Check the department's pages for changes. Source: Minnesota Department of Education: Homeschool Questions and Answers (updated 2026-05-22)

What to do first

Read Minnesota's own pages, linked under each row below, so you know what applies to your situation.
Notice: By October 1 of the first school year, or within 15 days of withdrawing from public school; then by October 1 each year To: Superintendent of the school district where the child lives.
If your child is in school now: When a parent withdraws a child from public school after age seven to teach at home, the report to the superintendent is due within 15 days. The same 15-day deadline applies if you move out of a district; after moving, report again by October 1.
Plan the year around the days or hours and the subjects below.
Start your records on day one: a simple attendance log, a list of books read and a work sample or two for each subject.
Put the testing or evaluation date on your calendar.

The state's own form or page: education.mn.gov/mdeprod/groups/educ/documents/edform/mdaw/mdaz/~edisp/003867.pdf

Other legal routes in Minnesota

Accredited homeschool. A school or person accredited by a recognized accrediting agency is exempt from the annual testing and documentation rules. The department says Minnesota currently recognizes one accrediting organization for homeschools, the Home-Based Educators' Accrediting Association. Using an accredited curriculum does not make a homeschool accredited.

Records to keep

Keep documentation that the required subjects are being taught and proof the yearly tests were given. It must include class schedules, copies of materials used for instruction and descriptions of how achievement is assessed, plus test scores. It must be available to the county attorney if a case begins, and given to a public school the child later enrolls in. Whatever the law asks, many families also keep a simple attendance log, a list of books read and a few work samples for each subject; they cost nothing and help if you move or return to school.

Good to know

Who may teach: the instructor must meet at least one of these: hold a valid Minnesota teaching license in the field and grade; be directly supervised by a licensed teacher; teach in an accredited school; hold a bachelor's degree; or be the parent of a child who is assessed under the testing rule.
Immunization: the department says the information given to the superintendent must include the statements required by Minnesota Statutes 121A.15, subdivision 8 about childhood immunizations.
Sports and activities: homeschools and other nonpublic schools with five or fewer students may take part in their resident district's extracurricular activities (Minnesota Statutes 123B.49). High school competitive sports are regulated through the Minnesota High School League, and districts may charge fees.
Public school services: districts may provide health and guidance and counseling services to homeschool students, and must allow homeschool students to receive special education services. Homeschool students without an IEP can request shared time classes, but local policy decides whether that is available.
Tax: the department says Minnesota offers a dollar-for-dollar income tax credit for qualified low-income families and an education cost subtraction for many other families for up to $2650 in expenses; the Department of Revenue has the details.
Homeschools are not eligible for per-pupil general education funding from the state, but a small amount of aid is available through the Aids to Nonpublic Students program, with September 15 and October 1 deadlines.

Where this comes from

Minnesota Statutes 120A.22 Compulsory instruction (Revisor of Statutes) (the law)
Minnesota Statutes 120A.24 Reporting (Revisor of Statutes) (the law)
Minnesota Department of Education: Homeschool Questions and Answers (updated 2026-05-22) (state education department)
Minnesota Department of Education: Initial Registration Form for Unaccredited Nonpublic Schools (including homeschools) (state education department)

Checked on October 27, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice; check your state's own page, and confirm with your school district or the department before you rely on a date. Something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.