Minnesota Homeschool Requirements

Under MN Stat. §120A.24(b), the person in charge of home instruction must submit a letter of intent to continue instruction by October 1 of each school year, including any changes to student or instructor information. The initial report under §120A.24(a) must be filed by October 1 of the first school year a child receives instruction after reaching age 7, or within 15 days of withdrawing from public school, or within 15 days of moving out of a district. The report must include: child's name, birth date, and address; name of each instructor and evidence of qualification; annual test intended to be used; and immunization statements per §121A.15(8). Minnesota uses a notification model — not a permission model — so families do not need district approval to begin homeschooling.

MN Stat. §120A.22, Subd. 9 specifies four broad categories of required subjects: (1) basic communication skills including reading, writing, literature, and fine arts; (2) mathematics and science; (3) social studies including history, geography, economics, government, and citizenship (including US and Minnesota constitutions); and (4) health and physical education. Instruction, textbooks, and materials must be in English, though other languages may be used pursuant to §§124D.59-124D.61. There is no requirement to follow a specific curriculum or methodology.

MN Stat. §120A.22 does not impose a minimum number of instructional hours or school days for home instruction. The statute requires coverage of required subjects (Subd. 9) and annual standardized testing (Subd. 11) but leaves scheduling and instructional time entirely to the family's discretion. This contrasts with public schools that must meet state-mandated school day minimums.

MN Stat. §120A.22, Subd. 11 requires that each year the performance of every child ages 7-16 (and 16-17 for ongoing cases) not enrolled in a public school be assessed using a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement examination. The superintendent and the person in charge of instruction must agree on the specific exam, its administration, and location. Children whose scores fall below the 30th percentile may be required to submit to additional assessment. Under §120A.24(a), the annual test intended to be used must be disclosed in the annual report to the superintendent. Accredited nonpublic schools are exempt from this testing requirement.

MN Stat. §120A.24, Subd. 2(a) requires that the person in charge of home instruction maintain documentation indicating that the subjects required in §120A.22, Subd. 9 are being taught and proof that tests have been administered. This documentation must include class schedules, copies of materials used for instruction, and descriptions of methods used to assess student achievement. Records must be made available to the county attorney when a case is commenced under §120A.26, Subd. 5; chapter 260C; or when diverted under chapter 260A. Accredited nonpublic schools are exempt from this documentation requirement.

MN Stat. §120A.22, Subd. 10 specifies that a person providing instruction must meet at least one of the following: (1) hold a valid Minnesota teaching license in the field and for the grade level taught; (2) be directly supervised by a person holding a valid Minnesota teaching license; (3) provide instruction in an accredited school; (4) hold a baccalaureate degree; or (5) be the parent of a child assessed according to Subd. 11. Option (5) is the most commonly used pathway — a parent without a bachelor's degree can homeschool by ensuring their child undergoes annual standardized testing.

MN Stat. §121A.15, Subd. 8 governs immunization requirements for children in Minnesota, including homeschoolers. The annual report filed under §120A.24 must include 'statements as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 121A.15, subdivision 8 regarding required childhood immunizations.' Parents must provide either documentation of immunization compliance or a valid exemption. Exemptions may be medical or conscientious objection. Forms are available from the Minnesota Department of Health.

MN Stat. §125A.18 and §126C.19 require resident school districts to allow home-school students to receive special education services through the district. This means a homeschooled child with a disability has the same right to evaluation, identification, and services as a public school student. The MDE Q&A document confirms: 'Resident school districts must allow home-school students to receive special education services through the school district, per Minnesota Statutes, sections 125A.18 and section 126C.19.'

MN Stat. §120A.24(a)(2) requires that a report be submitted to the superintendent within 15 days of when a parent withdraws a child from public school after age 7 to provide instruction in a nonpublic school that is not accredited. Minnesota's model is notification-based: families file a notification and do not need district sign-off before beginning to homeschool. The MDE confirms that families in compliance with §120A.24 are legally homeschooling regardless of whether the district responds or acknowledges the filing.

MN Stat. §120A.22, Subd. 5(a) states that every child between seven and 17 years of age must receive instruction unless the child has graduated. Children under the age of 7 who are enrolled in a kindergarten program must also receive instruction, but a parent may withdraw a child under 7 from enrollment at any time (subject to Subd. 6 exceptions). The compulsory instruction law does not apply to children who have already graduated.

MN Stat. §120B.07 governs graduation for home-school students: parents establish the graduation requirements, and the student graduates when those requirements are met. The MDE Q&A confirms: 'In a home-school setting, parents set the graduation requirements for high school, and the student graduates when the requirements have been met per Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.07.' Minnesota's compulsory instruction statute (requiring instruction until age 17) only applies to students who have not yet graduated, so a student who completes parent-set requirements before age 17 is no longer subject to the compulsory instruction law.

MN Stat. §123B.49 grants homeschooled students and nonpublic school students (in schools with five or fewer students) the right to participate in their resident district's extracurricular activities. For high school-level competitive sports, participation is regulated through the Minnesota State High School League. School boards may require payment of activity fees under §123B.36. The MDE Q&A confirms: 'Home-schools and other nonpublic schools with five or fewer students may participate in their resident school district's extracurricular activities, as outlined in Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.49.'