How to start homeschooling in North Dakota
Everything North Dakota 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 North Dakota requires
A parent supervises the child's education and files an annual statement of intent with the school district; instruction must be 4 hours a day for 175 days, with testing in grades 4, 6, 8 and 10 unless exempt.
Required school ages in North Dakota: 7 to 16. Teacher qualification for this option: Parent with a high school diploma or GED may supervise; a parent without one may supervise with monitoring by a licensed teacher for the first two years (longer if test scores are below the 50th percentile).
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. North Dakota also asks for a notice under this option (the next step); file it by its deadline.
File your notice
Required.
When: At least 5 days before beginning home education, or within 14 days of establishing residence in a district; then once each year.
What it includes: Statement of intent (form SFN 16909) filed with the school district superintendent (or county superintendent): child's name, address, birth date and grade; parent's name, address and qualifications; any public school courses and extracurricular activities; with immunization record and proof of identity. Renewed annually for each child age 7 or older.
North Dakota names its own form, affidavit or filing for this. Use that where it’s required; our letter can go with it as a cover letter or a record.
Plan your school year: days and hours
North Dakota sets a minimum.
Minimum 175 days each year. At least four hours each day.
Cover the required subjects
English language arts (reading, composition, creative writing, English grammar, spelling); mathematics; social studies (U.S. Constitution, United States history, geography, government, North Dakota studies in grades 4 and 8); science (including agriculture); physical education; health (physiology, hygiene, disease control, alcohol, tobacco and narcotics); computer science (including cybersecurity).
NDCC 15.1-23-04 requires 'those subjects required by law to be taught to public school students'; list shown is the elementary/middle school list in NDCC 15.1-21-01. High school subjects follow NDCC 15.1-21-02.
Testing or evaluation
Required in grades 4, 6, 8 and 10.
Standardized achievement test in grades 4, 6, 8 and 10 (test used by the district or a nationally normed test). Exempt if the parent holds a teaching license, a baccalaureate degree, or passed a national teacher exam, or files a philosophical, moral or religious objection. Composite below the 50th percentile triggers monitoring; below the 30th percentile requires assessment and a remediation plan.
Keep the records the state asks for
Required.
Maintain an annual record of courses taken and academic progress assessments, including any standardized achievement test results.
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
Parent may seek a diploma from a school district, approved nonpublic school or the Center for Distance Education under NDCC 15.1-23-17: either meeting that entity's graduation requirements, or completing at least 22 units from the minimum required curriculum, with course descriptions, objectives and a transcript submitted.
Official sources for this option
Not confirmed on an official page: Exact wording of the testing exemption conditions (NDCC 15.1-23-11) was read in summary, not quoted in full. 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 North Dakota checklist
Homeschool Corral · How to start homeschooling in North Dakota · homeschoolcorral.com
- Read North Dakota’s rules for “Home education”
- Withdraw from school in writing (if enrolled), and keep a copy
- File the notice (At least 5 days before beginning home education, or within 14 days of establishing residence in a district; then once each year)
- Set the first and last day, school days and breaks (meeting the state minimum)
- Choose curriculum for each required subject
- Note the testing or evaluation years and deadlines (grades 4, 6, 8 and 10)
- Start the required records from day one
- Make a first-week plan and start
Questions North Dakota parents ask
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in North Dakota?
Yes. When: At least 5 days before beginning home education, or within 14 days of establishing residence in a district; then once each year. What to file: Statement of intent (form SFN 16909) filed with the school district superintendent (or county superintendent): child's name, address, birth date and grade; parent's name, address and qualifications; any public school courses and extracurricular activities; with immunization record and proof of identity. Renewed annually for each child age 7 or older.
How many days or hours do homeschoolers need in North Dakota?
Minimum 175 days each year. At least four hours each day.
Do homeschoolers have to take tests in North Dakota?
Yes, in grades 4, 6, 8 and 10. Standardized achievement test in grades 4, 6, 8 and 10 (test used by the district or a nationally normed test). Exempt if the parent holds a teaching license, a baccalaureate degree, or passed a national teacher exam, or files a philosophical, moral or religious objection. Composite below the 50th percentile triggers monitoring; below the 30th percentile requires assessment and a remediation plan.
Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in North Dakota?
Parent with a high school diploma or GED may supervise; a parent without one may supervise with monitoring by a licensed teacher for the first two years (longer if test scores are below the 50th percentile).
What subjects are required in North Dakota?
English language arts (reading, composition, creative writing, English grammar, spelling); mathematics; social studies (U.S. Constitution, United States history, geography, government, North Dakota studies in grades 4 and 8); science (including agriculture); physical education; health (physiology, hygiene, disease control, alcohol, tobacco and narcotics); computer science (including cybersecurity).
What records do I need to keep in North Dakota?
Maintain an annual record of courses taken and academic progress assessments, including any standardized achievement test results.
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.
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