North Dakota homeschooling requirements explained. Learn about North Dakota homeschool laws, notification procedures, required subjects, testing rules, parent qualifications, and local support resources.
North Dakota is one of the more heavily regulated states for homeschooling. Families must file a notice of intent, meet specific parent qualification requirements, administer annual standardized tests, and submit test results to their local school district.
Homeschooling is legal in North Dakota under North Dakota Century Code (NDCC) 15.1-23. The state has a detailed regulatory framework that provides clear requirements for families who choose to educate their children at home.
North Dakota offers three primary legal options for homeschooling:
The standard home education option under NDCC 15.1-23. Parents file a Statement of Intent with their local school district superintendent and comply with testing and qualification requirements.
Parents who do not meet the standard qualification requirements may homeschool under the supervision of a certified teacher. The certified teacher monitors the educational progress of the child.
Some families enroll in an approved private school that allows home-based instruction. This option may operate under different requirements than the standard home education statute.
North Dakota is considered one of the more regulated states for homeschooling. The requirements reflect the state's approach to ensuring educational accountability while still respecting the right of parents to educate their children at home. Understanding the specific requirements for your situation is essential before beginning.
North Dakota requires homeschooling families to file a Statement of Intent with the superintendent of their local school district. This filing must occur annually and is a critical compliance step.
The Statement of Intent must be filed annually, at least 14 days before the start of the school year or 14 days before you begin homeschooling if starting mid-year. Late filing can jeopardize your legal status.
The Statement of Intent must include:
The statement is filed with the superintendent of the school district where the family resides. The superintendent does not approve or deny the filing; it is a notification process.
Beyond the Statement of Intent, families must also:
North Dakota has specific subject requirements that homeschool families must follow. The state mandates instruction in several core areas, though families retain the freedom to choose their own curriculum materials and teaching methods.
North Dakota requires instruction in these subjects:
Additional subjects may be required at certain grade levels.
While subjects are mandated, the choice of curriculum is up to the family:
The North Dakota Content Standards can be used as a reference but are not mandatory for home schools.
North Dakota requires homeschool instruction for at least 175 days per year, with at least four hours of instruction per day. This is one of the more specific time requirements among states and families should maintain attendance records to document compliance.
North Dakota has more detailed parent qualification requirements than most states. The requirements vary based on the parent's educational background and experience.
Under North Dakota law, the parent or person providing home education must meet one of the following qualification tiers:
If the parent holds a teaching certificate or a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, they may homeschool without additional supervision. This represents the highest qualification tier and offers the most independence.
Parents with a high school diploma or GED may homeschool but must be monitored by a certified teacher for the first two years. After two years with satisfactory test results, monitoring is no longer required.
A parent who has passed the National Teacher Examination may also qualify to homeschool. This provides an alternative pathway for parents without a formal degree.
For parents with a high school diploma or GED who are in their first two years of homeschooling, the monitoring by a certified teacher typically involves periodic check-ins and review of the student's progress. The certified teacher does not need to teach the child but must verify that satisfactory educational progress is being made. After two successful years (with test scores at or above the 50th percentile), the monitoring requirement is lifted.
North Dakota requires annual standardized testing for homeschooled students in certain grades. Test results must be submitted to the local school district.
Homeschooled students must take a standardized achievement test in grades 4, 6, 8, and 11 (or at other intervals as specified by the district). The results must be filed with the local school district superintendent.
The test must be a nationally normed standardized achievement test. Commonly used tests include:
The test must be administered by a certified teacher or other qualified professional.
North Dakota has provisions related to test scores:
Test results must be submitted to the local superintendent.
In some circumstances, North Dakota may allow alternative assessment methods. Families who have concerns about standardized testing should contact their local school district or a homeschool support organization for guidance on available options.
North Dakota requires homeschool families to maintain attendance records, provide at least 175 days of instruction per year with at least four hours per day, and keep records of courses and progress.
The state's recordkeeping expectations are more detailed than many other states. Families should maintain organized documentation to demonstrate compliance with all requirements.
Thorough high school records are essential for college applications and transcripts:
North Dakota allows homeschool parents to issue their own diplomas. A comprehensive transcript strengthens college applications for homeschool graduates.
North Dakota exercises more oversight of homeschooling than most states. The local school district superintendent plays an active role in receiving notifications, test results, and monitoring compliance.
The oversight structure in North Dakota centers on the local school district. The superintendent receives the annual Statement of Intent, collects test results, and may intervene if a child's test scores fall below certain thresholds.
Because the local superintendent plays a significant role in North Dakota's homeschool oversight, maintaining a cooperative relationship with your school district is important. Filing paperwork on time, submitting test results promptly, and responding to any requests can prevent unnecessary complications.
North Dakota's homeschool statute provides a clear legal framework with the following protections:
Common compliance risks in North Dakota:
Missing filing deadlines
The Statement of Intent must be filed at least 14 days before the school year begins. Late filing can result in truancy issues.
Low test scores without remediation
Scores below the 30th percentile require follow-up action. Ignoring this requirement can lead to enforcement proceedings.
Not meeting monitoring requirements
Parents with only a high school diploma must be monitored by a certified teacher for the first two years. Skipping this step violates the law.
Given North Dakota's detailed requirements, staying organized is key. Maintain a compliance calendar with all filing deadlines, testing dates, and submission requirements.
If you encounter difficulties with your local district, organizations like HSLDA and the North Dakota Home School Association can provide guidance and legal support.
Despite being a smaller state, North Dakota has dedicated homeschool organizations and resources to support families:
The primary statewide organization supporting homeschool families:
Official government resources for homeschooling:
Local homeschool groups serve communities across North Dakota:
Legal resources for North Dakota homeschool families:
Our AI-powered tools can help North Dakota homeschoolers create comprehensive lesson plans, generate practice tests, and track progress in all required subjects. These tools are designed to support personalized learning while helping you meet the state's detailed regulatory requirements.
Learning Corner offers several AI-powered tools that can assist North Dakota homeschoolers:
Analyze your student's activity to understand which concepts they're learning, helping North Dakota homeschool parents track academic progress across required subject areas.
Create custom quizzes and assessments to track student progress and ensure comprehensive coverage of North Dakota's required subject areas.
Generate customized worksheets for practice and reinforcement across all required North Dakota subject areas.
Create structured lesson plans that can serve as documentation of your instruction and help maintain recommended records for North Dakota homeschoolers.
These curriculum providers, apps, and services are available to homeschool families in North Dakota:
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