Homeschooling in North Dakota: the law and how to start

Yes. North Dakota's home education law, in chapter 15.1-23 of the North Dakota Century Code, lets a parent supervise their child's education at home. The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (DPI) publishes guidance and the statement of intent form, but the paperwork itself goes to your local school district.

North Dakota is one of the more regulated homeschool states. Compared with many states, you'll deal with:

• an annual statement of intent filed with your school district;
• minimum instruction time (175 days a year, four hours a day);
• standardized testing in grades 4, 6, 8 and 10, with exemptions for some families;
• a parent qualification (high school diploma or GED, or monitoring by a licensed teacher).

Enrolling your child in an approved nonpublic (private) school is a separate legal route, but most families who teach at home do so under the home education chapter.

• Complete the statement of intent. DPI's form (SFN 16909) asks for your child's details and grade level, the name and qualifications of the parent who will supervise instruction, and any public school courses or activities you want your child to take.
• Gather the attachments. Since the 2023 amendments (Senate Bill 2167), the statement is filed with proof of your child's identity (such as a birth certificate) and a copy of their immunization record or an exemption.
• File it on time. Send the statement to your local school district superintendent (or the county superintendent if there is no local one) at least five days before you begin home education, or within 14 days of moving into a school district. File a new statement each school year.
• Withdrawing from school. If your child is currently enrolled, file the statement of intent with the district and tell your child's school in writing that you are withdrawing them for home education. Keep copies; sending it by a trackable method is sensible.

North Dakota sets both subjects and instruction time. Your child must receive at least four hours of instruction a day for at least 175 days a year.

For grades 1 through 8, the law lists English language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, physical education and health. North Dakota studies is included in grades 4 and 8. For grades 9 through 12, the chapter lists specific high school courses and credit amounts — check the statute or DPI's guidance for the current list before planning your high school years.

Within those subjects, you choose the curriculum, materials and teaching approach. DPI's guidance describes "supervising" as selecting materials, choosing an educational philosophy and overseeing how instruction is delivered.

Children taught at home take a standardized achievement test in grades 4, 6, 8 and 10. You can use the test your school district uses (the district pays for it and its administration) or ask for a different nationally normed achievement test, in which case you pay and a licensed teacher administers it. Results go to the school district.

Exemptions. The law lets some families opt out of testing — for example, where a parent has a philosophical, moral or religious objection and meets the education requirement in the statute (such as a bachelor's degree). You claim an exemption when you file your statement of intent; check DPI's guidance for the exact conditions.

Low scores. If your child's basic composite score falls below the 30th percentile nationally, a multidisciplinary team assesses them for a potential learning problem. If one is found, a remediation plan follows and stays in place until your child reaches the 30th percentile or shows a year of academic progress.

Monitoring. A parent who is monitored by a licensed teacher (for example, because they don't have a high school diploma or GED) is monitored for the first two years, and longer if their child scores below the 50th percentile during that time.

Keep an annual record of courses taken and test results. DPI recommends detailed course and assessment records because you'll need them if your child transfers to a public school or applies to college.

Most homeschooled students in North Dakota graduate with a parent-issued diploma and transcript. Keep course descriptions, credits and grades as you go.

North Dakota law also allows a school district, an approved nonpublic high school or the North Dakota Center for Distance Education to issue a diploma to a home-educated student, but whether a district does so is a local school board decision rather than a state requirement. Ask your district early if this matters to you.

DPI has published guidance on how home-educated students can qualify for the North Dakota Academic Scholarship. Check the current requirements with DPI well before your student's senior year.

North Dakota law lets a home-educated child take part in extracurricular activities through their school district of residence, or through an approved nonpublic school if that school's administrator allows it. You make the choice on your statement of intent.

Students taking part through the district must meet the same participation standards as full-time students. A 2014 Attorney General opinion says the North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA) decides eligibility, and that a home-educated student does not have to take an academic course at the school to join an activity.

You can also list public school courses you'd like your child to take on the statement of intent. Ask your district about scheduling and enrollment.

The home education chapter includes additional provisions for children with developmental disabilities, including progress reporting (amended in 2023). If your child may have a disability, contact your school district about evaluation and services.

As of the 2026–27 school year, North Dakota has no education savings account, voucher or tax credit program that funds homeschooling.

In the 2025 legislative session several proposals failed. House Bill 1540, a private school education savings account, was vetoed by Gov. Kelly Armstrong in April 2025 and the veto was sustained. Senate Bill 2400, which would have included homeschooled students, failed in the House, and House Bill 1244, a home education income tax credit, failed in the Senate. Watch the 2027 session for new proposals.