How to start homeschooling in Minnesota
Everything Minnesota asks of a homeschool family, in order, from the state’s own sources, checked October 1, 2026. Each step links to a free tool that does it, and there’s a checklist to print at the end.
Step by step
Know what Minnesota requires
A home school is a recognized school for compulsory instruction. The parent reports to the local superintendent, teaches the required subject areas, tests the child yearly with a nationally norm-referenced achievement test, and keeps documentation.
Required school ages in Minnesota: 7 to 17 (every child between seven and 17 years of age must receive instruction unless the child has graduated; a child under 7 enrolled in kindergarten or higher may be subject to attendance). Teacher qualification for this option: Instructor must meet one of the 120A.22 subd. 10 criteria (e.g., Minnesota teaching license, supervision by a licensed teacher, bachelor's degree), or be the parent of a child who is assessed under subd. 11.
If your child is in school now, withdraw in writing
Send the school a dated withdrawal letter saying your child will be educated at home, and keep a copy. Minnesota also asks for a notice under this option (the next step); file it by its deadline.
File your notice
Required.
When: By October 1 of the first school year after the child reaches age 7; within 15 days of withdrawing a child from public school; within 15 days of moving out of a district; by October 1 after a new resident district is established. Letter of intent by October 1 each year.
What it includes: Report to the superintendent of the district of residence: child's name, birth date and address; the annual tests intended to be used; name of each instructor; and evidence of compliance with the instructor requirements (120A.22 subd. 10). After the initial report, an annual letter of intent to continue by October 1, with any changes.
Plan your school year: days and hours
Minnesota doesn’t set a number of days or hours for this option.
No day requirement for home schools. No hour requirement for home schools.
Planning about 180 days, as schools do, gives the year a shape and makes a move to another state easier.
Cover the required subjects
Basic communication skills (including reading and writing); literature; fine arts; mathematics; science; social studies (including history, geography, economics, government and citizenship); health; physical education.
120A.22 subd. 9. Instruction and materials must be in English (other languages permitted under specified statutes).
Testing or evaluation
Required every year.
Each year, children ages 7 through 16 (and ages 16-17 if the initial report was filed after age 16) must be assessed with a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement examination; the superintendent and instructor mutually agree on the exam, its administration and location. A parent-instructor who does not hold a teaching license or teach under a licensed teacher's supervision must assess subjects the exam does not cover. If the total battery score is at or below the 30th percentile or one grade level below, the parent must obtain additional evaluation for learning problems. Results are not required to be filed annually but test scores must be given to the school if the child later enrolls full time in public school.
Keep the records the state asks for
Required.
Maintain documentation that the required subjects are taught and proof the tests were administered, including class schedules, copies of instructional materials, and descriptions of methods used to assess achievement; make it available to the county attorney in a truancy/CHIPS case. No retention period stated.
Start teaching
Put your books on a lesson schedule, and the planner spreads the lessons across your school days and moves them when a day is missed. Log attendance in a tap, and keep grades, a portfolio and a transcript as you go.
High school and graduation
No state graduation requirements for home schools; the parent sets them and issues the diploma.
Official sources for this option
Not confirmed on an official page: MDE home school pages (education.mn.gov) could not be read; all facts are from statute. Who issues the diploma is not stated in statute. Check these points with the state or your local school district before you rely on them; everything else above comes from the official sources listed.
Your Minnesota checklist
Homeschool Corral · How to start homeschooling in Minnesota · homeschoolcorral.com
- Read Minnesota’s rules for “Home school”
- Withdraw from school in writing (if enrolled), and keep a copy
- File the notice (By October 1 of the first school year after the child reaches age 7; within 15 days of withdrawing a child from public school; within 15 days of moving out of a district…)
- Set the first and last day, school days and breaks
- Choose curriculum for each required subject
- Note the testing or evaluation years and deadlines
- Start the required records from day one
- Make a first-week plan and start
Questions Minnesota parents ask
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Minnesota?
Yes. When: By October 1 of the first school year after the child reaches age 7; within 15 days of withdrawing a child from public school; within 15 days of moving out of a district; by October 1 after a new resident district is established. Letter of intent by October 1 each year. What to file: Report to the superintendent of the district of residence: child's name, birth date and address; the annual tests intended to be used; name of each instructor; and evidence of compliance with the instructor requirements (120A.22 subd. 10). After the initial report, an annual letter of intent to continue by October 1, with any changes.
How many days or hours do homeschoolers need in Minnesota?
No day requirement for home schools. No hour requirement for home schools.
Do homeschoolers have to take tests in Minnesota?
Yes, every year. Each year, children ages 7 through 16 (and ages 16-17 if the initial report was filed after age 16) must be assessed with a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement examination; the superintendent and instructor mutually agree on the exam, its administration and location. A parent-instructor who does not hold a teaching license or teach under a licensed teacher's supervision must assess subjects the exam does not cover. If the total battery score is at or below the 30th percentile or one grade level below, the parent must obtain additional evaluation for learning problems. Results are not required to be filed annually but test scores must be given to the school if the child later enrolls full time in public school.
Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Minnesota?
Instructor must meet one of the 120A.22 subd. 10 criteria (e.g., Minnesota teaching license, supervision by a licensed teacher, bachelor's degree), or be the parent of a child who is assessed under subd. 11.
What subjects are required in Minnesota?
Basic communication skills (including reading and writing); literature; fine arts; mathematics; science; social studies (including history, geography, economics, government and citizenship); health; physical education.
What records do I need to keep in Minnesota?
Maintain documentation that the required subjects are taught and proof the tests were administered, including class schedules, copies of instructional materials, and descriptions of methods used to assess achievement; make it available to the county attorney in a truancy/CHIPS case. No retention period stated.
Keep going
This is a plain-English summary of the state’s official sources, checked on the date shown. It is not legal advice, and laws change. Read the linked official pages, and check with the state or your local school district if anything is unclear.
Start homeschooling in another state: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming