North Dakota homeschool checklist for this year
Answer two questions and get the year's deadlines with their dates, the notice, testing and records, each linked to the law. Print it or tick it off here.
- North Dakota law
- This year's checklist
- Letter of intent
- Withdrawing from school
This is general information, not legal advice; check your state's own page. Laws change, and North Dakota's own statute and education department are the final word. The links below go straight to them.
Deadlines, forms and amounts checked on against the sources linked on this page.
North Dakota homeschool checklist, school year
Things to do, with their deadlines
File a statement of intent with the superintendent of your school district of residence (the county superintendent if the district has none).
Source: North Dakota Century Code chapter 15.1-23 (Home Education)Your child takes a standardized achievement test, unless one of the law's exceptions applies.
Source: North Dakota Century Code chapter 15.1-23 (Home Education); ND Department of Public Instruction: Home Education in North Dakota, a Parent Guide
Need the letter? Fill in the North Dakota letter of intent and print it.
All year
Teach the subjects North Dakota names: English language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, physical education, health, computer science, including cybersecurity.
Source: North Dakota Century Code chapter 15.1-23 (Home Education); North Dakota Century Code chapter 15.1-21 (Curriculum and Testing)Keep count of the days and hours. The law says instruction must last at least four hours each day for a minimum of one hundred seventy-five days each year.
Source: North Dakota Century Code chapter 15.1-23 (Home Education)The parent keeps an annual record of courses taken by the child and the child's academic progress assessments, including any standardized achievement test results. If the child moves to a public school district, the parent gives the record to the school district on request.
Source: North Dakota Century Code chapter 15.1-23 (Home Education)
Good habits (not in the law)
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Keep a copy of everything you send, and of any acknowledgement you get back, with the date.
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Start simple records on day one: the days you teach, the books you read and a few samples of work in each subject. They help if you move, return to school or apply to college.
Where this comes from
- North Dakota Century Code chapter 15.1-23 (Home Education) (the law)
- North Dakota Century Code chapter 15.1-20 (School Attendance) (the law)
- North Dakota Century Code chapter 15.1-21 (Curriculum and Testing) (the law)
- ND Department of Public Instruction: Home Education (state agency)
- ND Department of Public Instruction: Home Education in North Dakota, a Parent Guide (state agency)
Checked on October 29, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Laws and forms change; confirm a date with your school district or the state agency before you rely on it. For legal advice, ask a lawyer licensed in North Dakota; homeschool legal-help organizations and your state's homeschool groups can also point you to help. Something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.