North Dakota Homeschool Withdrawal Letter: How to Leave Public School

When you decide to homeschool, you need to formally withdraw your child from their public school. This letter is the official notification. It’s straightforward, but doing it correctly prevents confusion and delays.

Key Takeaways

• Send withdrawal letter directly to the school principal or district superintendent
• Keep it brief and professional; you don’t need to explain why you’re homeschooling
• Send simultaneously with your Statement of Intent to the county superintendent
• Request return of student records (immunizations, test scores, health history)
• Send certified mail or get written confirmation of receipt

Why a Formal Withdrawal Letter Matters

Public schools track attendance and enrollment. If you simply stop showing up, the school may flag your child as a truant and contact you. A formal withdrawal letter:

• Officially removes your child from the attendance roll
• Prevents truancy notices
• Allows the school to release your child’s records
• Creates clear documentation of the date you withdrew

Send the letter before or on your planned start date of homeschooling.

Withdrawal Letter Template

Use this template and adapt as needed:

—

[DATE]

[SCHOOL PRINCIPAL/SUPERINTENDENT NAME]
[SCHOOL NAME]
[SCHOOL ADDRESS]

RE: Student Withdrawal – [Student Name]

Dear [Principal/Superintendent Name]:

This letter formally notifies you that we are withdrawing [student name] (born [DOB], currently enrolled in grade [grade]) from [school name], effective [withdrawal date].

We are enrolling [student name] in homeschool instruction beginning [start date]. Please process this withdrawal and provide all student records as outlined below.

We request the following records be released to us:

• Immunization record/health records
• Academic records (test scores, transcripts, grades)
• IEP or 504 Plan (if applicable)
• Any other relevant documentation

Please advise on the process for obtaining these records.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

[Parent/Guardian Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]

—

How to Send Your Withdrawal Letter

Option 1: Hand-Deliver (Recommended)

• Take the letter directly to the school principal’s office
• Ask for a dated receipt or written confirmation
• Keep a copy for your records

Option 2: Certified Mail

• Send via USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt
• Provides proof of delivery
• Takes 3–5 days
• Keep the receipt and card

Option 3: Email (if accepted)

• Email to the principal and district superintendent
• Request written confirmation of receipt
• Follow up with a phone call to confirm they received it

Don’t rely on email alone without confirmation. School email systems can be unreliable. If you email, call the next day to verify receipt.

Timing Your Withdrawal

Best practice timeline:

1. Decide your start date – Typically August 15–September 1
2. Send withdrawal letter – Same day or day before start date
3. File Statement of Intent – 14 days before start date with county superintendent
4. Gather school records – Request immediately so you have them

These happen in parallel. You’re notifying the school and the county at the same time.

Can you withdraw mid-year?
Yes. If you’re starting homeschooling in November, send your withdrawal letter in November and file your intent with the county superintendent.

What to Expect After Sending

The school will:

• Process your withdrawal
• Remove your child from the attendance system
• Prepare records for release

Timeline for records: Most schools release records within 5–10 business days. Call or email after 10 days if you don’t receive them.

What they might ask:

• Reason for withdrawal (you can say “personal education preference” or “pursuing homeschooling”; you don’t have to explain further)
• Confirmation of your new address (if relevant)
• Whether your child has any outstanding fees or books to return

Important: Request All Records

Don’t assume the school will provide everything. Explicitly request:

• Immunization records – You need these for your Statement of Intent
• Health/medical information – Current medications, allergies, contacts
• Transcript – Grades, test scores, academic history
• IEP or 504 Plan (if applicable) – Especially important if your child has special needs
• Report cards
• Assessment results – Any standardized testing done in public school
• Attendance records

Why this matters: You’ll want this information to continue your child’s education and track their learning history. It also provides baseline data if your child re-enters public school later.

Special Circumstances

Child with an IEP or 504 Plan

Before withdrawing, request a copy of the complete IEP or 504 Plan. You may want to:

• Review it to understand accommodations your child has received
• Consider what supports you’ll need at home
• Explore whether an Educational Scholarship Account (ESA) might help fund specialized instruction

Withdrawing from public school means your child is no longer automatically eligible for free district special education services. However, you may qualify for an ESA.

Child with Outstanding Books or Fees

The school may hold records until you settle any outstanding fees or return books. Clarify this before withdrawing:

• “Does my child have any outstanding fees or materials to return?”
• Settle them before withdrawal or arrange a plan

If the School Resists or Delays

Scenario: You send a withdrawal letter, and the school doesn’t respond or drags its feet releasing records.

Your options:

1. Follow up in writing – Send a second letter referencing your first, requesting response within 5 days
2. Call the principal or district office – Professional but firm conversation
3. File a formal records request – Most districts have a process for requesting student records under state law
4. Contact your county superintendent – They can advise if the school is violating release procedures

This is rare. Most schools process withdrawals smoothly. But if it happens, don’t panic. You have recourse.

After Withdrawal

• You’re officially out of the public school system
• Your child is officially enrolled in homeschool (once you file your Statement of Intent)
• You have control of your child’s education and records
• No attendance tracking from the school

Sample Timeline (Typical Start Date)

May 2026: Decide to homeschool; target August 15 start date

June 2026: Plan curriculum; contact county superintendent for Intent form

July 15, 2026: Send withdrawal letter to school

July 15, 2026: Request student records from school

August 1, 2026: File Statement of Intent with county superintendent (14 days before Aug. 15)

August 15, 2026: Begin homeschooling instruction

Summary

Your withdrawal letter is a professional courtesy and legal necessity. Keep it brief, send it to the principal, request records explicitly, and time it with your Statement of Intent filing. This two-step process—notifying the school and the county—officially transitions your child from public to homeschool.

Don’t overthink it. A simple, clear letter removes your child from public school enrollment and lets you move forward with your homeschool year with full documentation.

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