North Dakota Homeschool Reporting & Compliance: Annual Checklist

by | May 31, 2026 | Homeschooling in North Dakota, Record Keeping & Compliance

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North Dakota Homeschool Reporting & Compliance: Annual Checklist

Compliance in North Dakota is straightforward if you plan ahead. Missing deadlines creates problems. This checklist walks you through the year—and exactly what you need to do when.

Key Takeaways

  • ND requires Statement of Intent filing, 175 days/4 hours instruction, testing in grades 4/6/8/10, and 50th percentile threshold.
  • Filing deadlines vary by district; contact your coordinator immediately to confirm dates.
  • Testing is non-negotiable and must be scheduled 2–3 months in advance.
  • Record-keeping is ongoing; don’t scramble at year-end.
  • After testing, you have time to remediate if your child scores below 50th percentile.

Annual Homeschool Compliance Timeline

BEFORE School Year Starts (June–July)

Action 1: Contact Your District Homeschool Coordinator

  • Phone call or email to confirm you’re homeschooling
  • Ask:
  • Statement of Intent deadline (varies: due before Aug 1? By Sept 15? By Oct 31?)
  • Form requirements
  • Testing agency contacts and approved list
  • Any district-specific policies or updates
  • Document their name, phone, email for future reference

Action 2: Gather Statement of Intent Materials

  • Your high school diploma/GED (required to homeschool)
  • Student names and proposed grades
  • Curriculum list or general educational plan (brief description is fine)
  • Your contact information

Action 3: Identify Testing Agency

  • Request approved ND testing agencies from your coordinator
  • Call 2–3 agencies; ask about:
  • Grade levels tested
  • Cost per student
  • Testing dates (if applicable)
  • Accommodation process
  • Book testing early if child has special needs (accommodations require advance planning)

August–September: Filing and School Start

Action 4: File Statement of Intent (DATE: Check with your district)

  • Complete form (your coordinator provides)
  • Include:
  • Parent name and diploma/GED proof
  • Student name(s) and grade(s)
  • Brief curriculum description
  • Your commitment to 175 days/4 hours per day
  • Submit to district office (by deadline—DON’T MISS THIS)
  • Request written confirmation of receipt; keep copy

Action 5: Start Instruction

  • Begin school year (any date you choose)
  • Start attendance log
  • Begin saving work samples
  • Note: If you file in August but don’t start school until September, that’s fine. Instruction start date is flexible.

Action 6: Document Initial Assessment (if applicable)

  • If your child has special needs, assessments, or diagnoses, document them now
  • Create file of baseline evaluations or observations
  • This provides context for future progress notes

September–February: Mid-Year

Action 7: Maintain Ongoing Records

  • Update attendance log weekly or monthly
  • Store work samples regularly (don’t wait until year-end)
  • Track assessments/tests as taken
  • Update progress notes
  • Spend 10 minutes/week on documentation (prevents year-end scramble)

Action 8: Schedule Testing (CRITICAL—due by Jan 15 at latest for spring testing)

  • If your child is in grade 4, 6, 8, or 10: schedule testing NOW
  • Testing typically happens Feb–April; agencies fill up
  • Booking late limits your options
  • If your child needs accommodations, confirm process with agency and request approval in advance

Action 9: Monitor First Semester

  • Around Jan 31: Assess how homeschool is going
  • Are you hitting 175 days/4 hours minimums? (You should be roughly on pace: ~90 days by January)
  • Is curriculum progressing as planned?
  • Any adjustments needed for second semester?
  • Adjust early if needed; don’t wait until spring

February–May: Testing and Second Semester

Action 10: Participate in State Testing (Feb–April, depending on your agency)

  • Attend testing appointment
  • Bring any required accommodations documentation
  • Record scores as results come back
  • Note: Results typically available 4–8 weeks after testing

Action 11: Evaluate Testing Results

  • When scores arrive: If 50th percentile or above in all subjects ✓ Compliance met
  • If below 50th percentile in any subject:
  • You have one year to remediate and retest
  • Two consecutive years below threshold → district may intervene
  • Develop remediation plan focusing on weak areas
  • Schedule retesting in same calendar year if possible

Action 12: Continue Second Semester Instruction

  • Complete curriculum for year
  • Continue recording attendance and work samples
  • Note: School year ends when you say it does (spring break in May, full year in June, lighter summer schedule, etc.)

May–June: Year-End Closeout

Action 13: Compile Final Records

  • Confirm 175 instruction days completed ✓
  • Finalize work sample collection
  • Complete final assessments/tests for each subject
  • Write brief progress summary for year (what did your child master? Grow in? Need work on next year?)

Action 14: Organize Portfolio

  • Arrange work samples by subject or time period
  • Compile assessment/test score summary
  • Create curriculum overview (what you studied)
  • Store in labeled folder (physical or digital)

Action 15: Prepare Annual Report (if required)

  • Check with your district: Do you file an annual report or just keep records?
  • Some districts require brief end-of-year report; others just ask you keep records
  • If required: Submit by deadline (varies by district; often June 30 or Aug 1)

Ongoing Throughout Year: Communication

Action 16: Maintain Relationship with Coordinator

  • If questions arise during year, email or call coordinator
  • If you move or transition to public school mid-year, notify immediately
  • If testing results are problematic, discuss options with coordinator
  • Proactive communication prevents surprises

Quick Reference: Key Dates (Ask Your District to Confirm)

| Event | Typical Timing | Action |
|——-|————-|——–|
| Statement of Intent Deadline | Before Aug 15 (varies by district) | File form with coordinator |
| School Year Start | Any time Aug–Sept | Begin instruction + attendance log |
| Mid-Year Check | January | Confirm you’re on pace (90+ instruction days) |
| Testing Appointment Scheduling | By Jan 15 | Book with approved agency |
| State Testing Window | Feb–April | Attend appointment; participate |
| Remediation/Retesting (if needed) | Within same calendar year | Schedule if below 50th percentile |
| Year-End Record Compilation | May–June | Organize portfolio; confirm 175 days |
| Annual Report Filing (if required) | By Aug 1 (varies) | Submit to district if required |

Red Flags: Problems to Avoid

Miss Statement of Intent deadline:

  • Creates compliance issue immediately
  • May need to delay school start or face questions from district

Fail to test in required grade (4, 6, 8, 10):

  • Non-compliance
  • District may require public school enrollment or district testing
  • Serious consequence

Score below 50th percentile and don’t remediate:

  • After two consecutive years below threshold, district can intervene
  • May be required to enroll in public school

Lose attendance records:

  • If questioned, you can’t prove you met 175-day requirement
  • Good records are your protection

Ignore communication from district:

  • If coordinator reaches out, respond promptly
  • Silence looks like avoidance

Annual Compliance in 30 Seconds

  1. August: File Statement of Intent
  2. September: Start school + begin attendance log
  3. January: Schedule testing (if required grade)
  4. Feb–April: Participate in testing
  5. May: Compile final records
  6. June: Submit any required reports

That’s it. Follow this and you’re compliant.

The Bottom Line

Compliance isn’t complex. It’s attention to deadlines and documentation. Calendar the key dates. Maintain records as you go. Communicate with your coordinator.

Do this and North Dakota’s homeschool regulations are straightforward.