Skip to the content
Peabody HomeschoolEvery homeschool law, plan, record and tool, free

Withdrawing from school to homeschool in North Dakota

How to take your child out of school to homeschool in North Dakota, step by step: what to file first, what to tell the school, and a letter to print.

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.

Step by step

  1. Before your child's last day, do what North Dakota asks of a new homeschool. At least five days before you begin: File a statement of intent with the superintendent of your school district of residence (the county superintendent if the district has none). Fill in the North Dakota letter of intent.Source: North Dakota Century Code chapter 15.1-23 (Home Education)
  2. Tell the school. We did not find a North Dakota rule on how to tell the school. A short dated letter, with a copy kept, gives you a record of the day your child left.
  3. Ask for your child's records (report cards, test results, any evaluations or plans) so you know where your child stands. Good practice, not a legal step.
  4. If your child has an IEP or a 504 plan, ask the district before you leave what, if anything, it offers homeschooled students, and get a copy of the plan. Good practice, not a legal step.
  5. Keep copies of everything you send and anything you get back, with the dates. Good practice, not a legal step.
  6. Start your records on day one. 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)

What North Dakota's law or education agency says about leaving school

The statement of intent is due at least five days before you begin home education, and the state department says to wait 5 days after submitting it before beginning.Source: ND Department of Public Instruction: Home Education in North Dakota, a Parent Guide

A letter to the school

Fill this in and print it. It tells the school your child is leaving to be taught at home and asks for the records. It is not the state's notice; that is the letter of intent.

For example a copy of your notice, or the acknowledgement the state sent you.

Nothing you type here is saved or sent.

Your letter

________________

To: ________________

I am withdrawing ________________ from your school. My child will be educated at home under the law of North Dakota.

Please send me a copy of my child's school records.

Thank you.

SignatureDate
Keep a copy with the date you handed it in or mailed it.

Where this comes from

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.