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Homeschool laws in North Dakota

North Dakota allows direct homeschooling, but families generally need to file a yearly statement of intent, meet parent qualification rules, teach the required subjects, and provide a minimum amount of instruction each year. The state also recognizes a private school option for parents who are state-certified teachers.

Last verified

2026-04-20

Compulsory age range

7-16

Quick-start checklist

What parents need to do first

This is the plain-English checklist a parent can follow to get started without reading a mountain of legal text.

1Confirm that the teaching parent meets North Dakota's qualification rules.
2If your child is enrolled in public school, withdraw them through the local school or district.
3File your statement of intent with the local district superintendent before you begin.
4Choose a curriculum that covers English language arts, math, social studies, science, physical education, and health.
5Plan a school calendar that meets the state's minimum daily and yearly instruction requirements.
6Keep organized records, especially attendance, course lists, work samples, and high school transcripts.

Full breakdown

Every field is designed to answer the real-world compliance questions parents ask first.

Legal status

Homeschooling is legal in North Dakota. Most families homeschool under the state's home education law, and state-certified teachers may also use a private school option.

Compulsory age range

7-16

Notification required

Yes. Families homeschooling under the home education law generally file a statement of intent each year.

Who you notify

The superintendent of the public school district where the child lives.

Notification deadline

Generally at least 14 days before starting homeschool, or within 14 days of moving into the district, and again each year if you continue homeschooling.

Required subjects

English language arts, Mathematics, Social studies, Science, Physical education, Health

Hours or days required

At least 4 hours of instruction each day for 175 days each year.

Record keeping

Keep copies of your statement of intent and basic school records such as attendance, courses taught, work samples, and high school transcripts when applicable.

Testing and evaluation

No routine statewide testing is generally required for families homeschooling under the home education law.

Testing frequency

Not generally required.

Teacher qualifications

The homeschooling parent generally must be the child's parent and have at least a high school diploma or GED. A state-certified teacher may also homeschool under the private school option.

Curriculum freedom

Families have meaningful day-to-day flexibility, but they still need to cover the required subjects and meet the state's notice and instructional-time rules.

Umbrella school option

North Dakota does not have a standard homeschool umbrella-school system built into its main home education law, though some families may use private school arrangements if they fit state rules.

Virtual school option

Yes. Families may use online curriculum, and public virtual options may exist, but public virtual enrollment is different from independent homeschooling.

Special education

Homeschooling a student with disabilities may involve extra planning, and access to public services can vary depending on district practices and enrollment status.

High school diploma

Parents can generally issue a homeschool diploma and transcript for a student who completes the family's high school program.

College admission

Colleges commonly review homeschool transcripts, course descriptions, test scores, and dual-enrollment records when available.

Sports access

Public school sports access is not clearly guaranteed statewide for independent homeschoolers, so participation usually depends on district and activity-association rules.

Dual enrollment

Yes. Homeschool students may be able to use dual-enrollment options, depending on local school and college policies.

Notes

First-pass draft generated from HSLDA and North Dakota statute sources. The official DPI homeschool page listed in the source inventory returned a 404 during review, so this entry leans more heavily on HSLDA plus the North Dakota Century Code and keeps some official-process details more cautious than usual.

Official sources

Parent-friendly reminder

This page is designed to reduce confusion, not replace legal advice. If something changes or feels unclear, verify with your state Department of Education before making compliance decisions.

Want more homeschool guidance and encouragement? Follow Dani at @thedanicerrato.