Homeschooling in North Dakota

Compulsory attendance generally applies from age 7 until age 16. A six-year-old enrolled in public school is subject to separate withdrawal and re-enrollment rules that must be confirmed with the resident district.

Parents must file a Statement of Intent with the superintendent of the resident district at least five days before beginning instruction or within 14 days of establishing residence, renewing annually. A separate filing is required for each child age 7 or older.

The notice must identify the child, grade, supervising parent and qualifications, and intended public-school courses and extracurricular activities. Parents must supply identity and immunization documentation, or a lawful exemption where applicable.

The legal supervisor must be the child's parent or legal guardian. The parent qualifies by holding a high school diploma or GED; without either, statutory monitoring applies.

A parent without a high school diploma or GED must complete a two-year monitoring process with a North Dakota licensed or approved teacher. Successfully completing monitoring for one child avoids repeat monitoring for other children.

Home education requires at least four hours of instruction per day for at least 175 days each year.

Instruction must cover subjects required by law for public-school students. Elementary and middle-grade subjects include English language arts, mathematics, social studies, science including agriculture, physical education, health, and computer science including cybersecurity, with North Dakota studies specified in grades 4 and 8.

Parents must maintain an annual record of courses and academic progress, including required test results. Retaining notices, attendance and time logs, course descriptions, and secondary credits is necessary to document compliance.

Testing ordinarily occurs in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10 using the district's standardized achievement test or another nationally normed test. A North Dakota licensed or approved teacher administers it, and required results must be filed with the resident superintendent.

A parent may claim an exemption from testing based on a philosophical, moral, or religious objection; North Dakota teacher licensure or approval; a baccalaureate degree; or a qualifying score on a national teacher examination. The opt-out notice and documentation must be submitted with the annual Statement of Intent.

A basic composite score below the 30th percentile triggers a multidisciplinary assessment. If no disability is found and home education continues, a remediation plan developed with a licensed or approved teacher's advice and consent must be filed.