North Dakota Homeschool Requirements: What You Actually Need to Do

Getting started with homeschooling in North Dakota is straightforward if you understand the actual requirements versus the rumors. Let me walk through each requirement in plain language so you know exactly what you need to do.

Key Takeaways

• File Statement of Intent 14 days before starting (or within 14 days of new residency)
• Parent must hold high school diploma or GED; alternative monitoring available
• Teach five required subjects for 175 days, 4+ hours daily
• Test in grades 4, 6, 8, 10; submit results to superintendent
• No curriculum approval, home visits, or mandatory testing every year

The Core Requirements: Five Main Areas

1. Parent Qualifications

The requirement: Your child’s parent/primary instructor must hold a high school diploma or GED.

If you don’t have one:

• Option A: Get your GED (free/low-cost programs available in ND)
• Option B: Use monitored homeschooling (certified teacher oversight for first two years, at district expense)

This is non-negotiable but not a roadblock. Many parents have completed their GED specifically to homeschool their children.

2. Statement of Intent

The requirement: File a Statement of Intent with your county superintendent before you begin.

Timeline: 14 calendar days before your start date (or within 14 days of new residency).

What to include:

• Child’s name, date of birth, address
• Your name and proof of diploma/GED
• Immunization records (with exemptions if applicable)
• List of subjects you’ll teach
• Any extracurricular activities planned

Deadline is firm. If you’re starting September 1, file by August 18. Plan ahead.

3. Instruction Requirements

The requirement: 175 days of instruction per year, minimum 4 hours daily.

What counts as “instruction”:

• Traditional classroom-style lessons
• Independent study and reading
• Hands-on projects and experiments
• Field trips (if educationally structured)
• Co-op classes
• Online courses

What doesn’t count:

• Unstructured free play
• Meal prep or household chores
• Video watching without follow-up
• Sports practice (though sports can supplement education)

You define the schedule. Work around your family’s rhythm. Four hours could be 8 a.m.–12 p.m. or spread across the day. You’re not locked into a 7–3 school schedule.

4. Required Subjects

You must teach:

• English (reading and language arts)
• Mathematics
• Social Studies (U.S. history, North Dakota history, geography, civics)
• Science
• Physical Education

Everything else is optional. Want to add art, music, foreign language, programming, or vocational training? Go ahead. You’re not restricted.

Curriculum flexibility: No state approval required. Choose any curriculum, create your own, or use a mix. This is where your autonomy shines.

5. Standardized Testing (Select Grades)

The requirement: Students must test in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10.

• Use a nationally recognized test (SAT, ITBS, or equivalent)
• Submit results to your county superintendent
• 50th percentile is the baseline expectation
• Below 50th percentile triggers superintendent review (not automatic failure)

This is not annual testing. You test in four specific grades, not every year.

Immunization Records

Submit proof of immunization for:

• DPT (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis)
• Polio
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
• Hepatitis B

Exemptions allowed: Medical, religious, or philosophical exemptions are permitted. Process varies by county—ask your superintendent.

What You Don’t Need (Common Misconceptions)

• Curriculum approval: No state review of what you teach
• Home visits: School officials don’t monitor your home
• Teaching certification: Diploma/GED only; you don’t need a teaching degree
• Annual testing: Only in grades 4, 6, 8, 10
• Co-op membership: Not required, though many families join NDHSA
• Standardized schedule: Create your own rhythm

Record Keeping (Implied Requirement)

While not explicitly detailed in statute, maintain records of:

• Days and hours of instruction
• Subjects taught
• Materials used
• Testing results

These don’t need to be submitted unless requested by your superintendent. Maintain them for your own documentation.

Special Needs & Services

If your child has an IEP or qualifies for special education services:

Under standard homeschooling: You’re not eligible for free district special education services (unlike public school students). However, you can apply for an Educational Scholarship Account (ESA) if your child qualifies, which provides approximately 90% of the district’s special education funding.

Contact your district’s special education coordinator to explore ESA options.

Extracurricular & Sports

You can participate in district sports and activities if you choose. NDHSAA allows homeschooled students to compete at a district or non-public school—you select one school and follow their transfer and eligibility rules.

This is optional. Many homeschoolers use sports as part of their socialization and extracurricular experience; others don’t.

Annual Renewal

You must file a Statement of Intent every year you homeschool. It’s not a one-time filing. Mark your calendar for 14 days before your start date each August.

Getting Started: Action Steps

1. Contact your county superintendent – Get the official Statement of Intent form and filing procedures
2. Verify parent qualifications – Ensure diploma/GED requirement is met
3. Plan your start date – Count backward 14 days for filing deadline
4. Gather immunization records – Have these ready for filing
5. Outline your subjects – Decide how you’ll teach the five required areas
6. File the Statement of Intent – Submit on time
7. Begin instruction – Track days and hours informally

Summary

North Dakota’s requirements are clear and manageable: file your intent, meet parent qualifications, teach required subjects 175 days for 4+ hours daily, test in four grades, and keep basic records. Beyond that, you have freedom.

The system trusts you to educate your child within a documented framework. That trust comes with accountability, but not micromanagement.

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More homeschooling resources: Homeschooling by State (All 50 States) | Complete North Dakota Homeschooling Guide