Minnesota homeschooling requirements explained. Learn about Minnesota homeschool laws, notification procedures, required subjects, testing rules, parent qualifications, and local support resources.
Minnesota is a moderately regulated state for homeschooling. Families must file required reports and conduct annual assessments, but parents enjoy broad curriculum freedom and do not need teaching credentials. Minnesota provides clear legal protections for homeschoolers while maintaining accountability measures.
Homeschooling is legal in Minnesota under Minnesota Statute §120A.22 and §120A.24. The state recognizes homeschooling as a legitimate educational alternative, though it imposes more requirements than some neighboring states.
Minnesota offers one primary legal path for homeschooling: parents provide instruction to their children at home and comply with the state's reporting, assessment, and subject requirements. There is no umbrella school or cover school option as found in some other states.
Families may also choose to enroll their children in a state-approved private school or use a combination of homeschooling and public school services. Minnesota law allows homeschooled students to participate in public school extracurricular activities and classes on a part-time basis, which is a notable benefit for families.
Minnesota is one of the states that allows homeschooled students to enroll part-time in their local public school district. Students can take individual classes, participate in sports, and access other extracurricular programs. This dual enrollment option is governed by Minnesota Statute §123B.36 and gives families flexibility to supplement their home education.
Minnesota requires homeschooling families to file an annual report with their local school district superintendent. This is a key compliance step that must be completed each year.
By October 1 of each school year, homeschooling families must submit a report to the superintendent of the resident school district. Failure to file can result in follow-up from the district and potential truancy concerns.
The annual report submitted to the superintendent must include:
The report does not need to include detailed curriculum plans or daily schedules, but it must demonstrate that required subjects are being addressed.
Minnesota also requires homeschooling families to provide immunization records to the superintendent's office, or a legal exemption statement if the family opts out of immunizations for medical or conscientious reasons.
This is a separate requirement from the educational report and must also be submitted as part of the annual filing process.
Minnesota law specifies a set of required subjects that homeschooling families must include in their instruction. While parents have freedom to choose their own curriculum materials and teaching methods, the subject areas are clearly defined by statute.
Minnesota Statute §120A.22 requires instruction in the following subjects:
While the subjects are specified, Minnesota does not dictate:
Parents may use any curriculum, program, or self-designed materials as long as the required subject areas are covered.
Minnesota also requires that instruction be provided in English, though families may supplement with instruction in other languages. The state academic standards can serve as a helpful reference for families who want benchmarks, but following them is not mandatory for homeschoolers.
At the high school level, families should plan coursework with college admission requirements in mind if the student intends to pursue higher education.
Minnesota does not require parents to hold a teaching license to homeschool. However, if the parent is not a licensed teacher, there is an additional assessment requirement that must be met.
Any parent or guardian may provide homeschool instruction in Minnesota regardless of their own educational background. There is no minimum degree or certification needed. However, the law creates a distinction between licensed and non-licensed instructors:
If the parent or instructor holds a valid Minnesota teaching license, no additional evaluation or oversight is required beyond the annual report.
The licensed status of the instructor satisfies the state's accountability requirements.
If the parent is not a licensed teacher, the child must be assessed annually by a qualified evaluator. This evaluator must be:
This requirement ensures that an outside professional reviews the student's progress, adding a layer of accountability.
The bottom line: any parent can homeschool in Minnesota, but non-licensed parents must arrange for annual outside evaluation of their children's academic progress.
Minnesota requires annual testing or evaluation of homeschooled students. This is one of the state's key accountability measures and cannot be skipped.
The specific assessment requirements depend on whether the homeschool instructor is a licensed teacher or not:
Homeschooled students may take a nationally normed standardized achievement test each year. Commonly used tests include:
The test must be administered by a qualified person, and results are reported to the superintendent.
Instead of standardized testing, families may choose an alternative assessment conducted by a qualified evaluator:
This option provides flexibility for families whose children do not test well on standardized exams.
Assessment results must be included in the annual report filed with the school district superintendent. If a child scores below the 30th percentile on a standardized test or is found to not be making adequate progress, the superintendent may require additional evaluation or remediation measures.
However, low scores alone do not automatically end a family's right to homeschool. The district may request additional information or a plan for improvement.
Minnesota law does not prescribe a specific number of school days or hours for homeschoolers, but it does expect that instruction is being provided on a regular basis in the required subjects. While there is no minimum attendance law specifically for homeschoolers, the state's compulsory education law requires children ages 7-17 to receive instruction.
While Minnesota does not require detailed record submissions beyond the annual report, maintaining thorough records is strongly recommended. Useful records to keep include:
These records protect you if questioned by the district and are invaluable for creating high school transcripts.
For high school students, parents should maintain careful records of courses completed, grades earned, and credits accumulated. Minnesota homeschool parents issue their own diplomas and transcripts.
Colleges and universities in Minnesota generally accept homeschool transcripts, especially when accompanied by standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) and a detailed course description list.
Minnesota takes a moderate approach to homeschool oversight. The local school district superintendent is the primary point of contact and oversight for homeschooling families.
The superintendent receives and reviews the annual reports filed by homeschooling families. The superintendent's authority includes:
However, the superintendent does not have the authority to approve or reject curriculum choices, conduct home visits, or otherwise interfere with the day-to-day operation of a homeschool.
Minnesota law does not authorize routine home visits or inspections of homeschooling families. School officials cannot demand entry into your home to observe instruction.
If a family is in compliance with the annual reporting and assessment requirements, there is generally no further contact from the district. Non-compliance with reporting requirements could lead to truancy proceedings, so it is important to file your report on time each year.
Homeschooling in Minnesota is well-established and protected by statute. Key protections include:
Despite clear legal protections, there are some risks to be aware of:
Failing to file the annual report
Not submitting the required report by October 1 can trigger truancy proceedings. The superintendent may refer your case to the county attorney.
Low assessment scores
If your child scores below the 30th percentile on standardized tests, the superintendent can require additional evaluation or a remediation plan. This does not end your right to homeschool but adds scrutiny.
District overreach
Some districts may request information beyond what the law requires. Know your rights and consult HSLDA or the Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators (MACHE) if you encounter overreach.
If you receive requests from your school district that seem beyond the scope of the law, respond politely and cite the specific statutes that define your obligations. You are only required to provide what is outlined in §120A.24.
Homeschool advocacy organizations can provide legal assistance if you face difficulties with your local district.
Minnesota has a vibrant homeschooling community with numerous organizations offering support, resources, and social opportunities.
MACHE is the largest statewide homeschool organization in Minnesota, providing:
MHA serves the broader homeschooling community with an inclusive, non-sectarian approach:
Minnesota has many active local homeschool groups throughout the state, offering:
Active groups exist in the Twin Cities metro area, Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud, and many other communities throughout the state.
Organizations providing legal support for Minnesota homeschoolers:
Our AI-powered tools can help Minnesota homeschoolers with curriculum planning, content creation, assessment preparation, and tracking progress across all required subject areas. Generate worksheets, quizzes, lesson plans, and more tailored to your child's learning level.
Learning Corner offers several AI-powered tools that can assist Minnesota homeschoolers:
Analyze your student's activity to understand which concepts they're learning, helping Minnesota homeschool parents track academic progress across required subject areas.
Create custom quizzes and assessments to track student progress and ensure comprehensive coverage of Minnesota's required subject areas.
Generate customized worksheets for practice and reinforcement across all required Minnesota subject areas.
Create structured lesson plans that can serve as documentation of your instruction and help maintain recommended records for Minnesota homeschoolers.
These curriculum providers, apps, and services are available to homeschool families in Minnesota:
Award-winning early learning app for ages 2-8 covering reading, math, art, and more.
Apps & Software SubscriptionChristian textbook and video-based curriculum trusted by schools and homeschoolers since 1972.
Curriculum Providers PaidMajor retailer of Christian homeschool curriculum, books, and educational materials.
Supplies & Materials PaidAlternative to SAT/ACT for college admissions, embraced by homeschool families.
Testing & Assessment Services PaidNational network of classical Christian homeschool communities meeting weekly.
Co-ops & Learning Communities PaidLast Updated: March 23, 2026