Minnesota Homeschool Laws

Children between 7 and 17 must receive instruction unless they have graduated. Once a child enrolls in public kindergarten or a higher grade, compulsory attendance applies until 17. A parent may withdraw a child under 7 for good cause (HSLDA: Compulsory School Age in Minnesota; Minn. Stat. 120A.22).

Minnesota has one homeschool option, a home school providing instruction under the compulsory instruction law (HSLDA: Minnesota Homeschool Laws).

Test each child every year with a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement test. You and the superintendent must agree on the test and location. If a child scores at or below the 30th percentile, or one full grade below age peers, the child must be evaluated for learning difficulties. Homeschools accredited by a recognized Minnesota accrediting association are exempt from testing (HSLDA: How to Comply with Minnesota’s Homeschool Law; Minn. Stat. 120A.24).

Parents who submit their initial report before the child turns 16 do not have to report or assess after the child turns 16 (HSLDA).

Reading, writing, literature, fine arts, math, science, history, geography, economics, government, citizenship, health, and physical education (HSLDA; Minn. Stat. 120A.22). The law sets no schedule for how often each is taught.

Once the child reaches 7, submit a report to the superintendent of your resident district by October 1 each school year, or within 15 days of withdrawing from public school. The first report lists each child’s name, birth date, and address; the annual tests you plan to use (if required); each instructor’s name; evidence of teacher qualifications (if applicable); and immunization compliance. In later years until the child turns 16, file a letter of intent to continue that lists any changes. If you move, notify the new district within 15 days (HSLDA; Minn. Stat. 120A.24).

Keep documentation that the required subjects are taught and the required tests given, including class schedules, copies of instructional materials, and descriptions of assessment methods. A county attorney may request it. HSLDA also recommends keeping attendance, textbook lists, and work samples for at least two years, and high school records permanently (HSLDA).

None (HSLDA).

Parents teaching their own children are qualified. Any other instructor must hold a Minnesota teaching license in the field and grade, be directly supervised by a licensed teacher, teach in a school accredited or recognized by the state board, or hold a bachelor’s degree (HSLDA).

Yes. School boards must allow resident home school students to fully participate in extracurricular activities on the same basis as public school students. This does not cover co-curricular activities (Minn. Stat. 123B.49, subd. 4; HSLDA: Public School Access in Minnesota).

Yes. Report immunization compliance in the first report and again in the 7th-grade year. A conscientious objection may be submitted instead (HSLDA).

HSLDA notes that records of compliance may be requested for a driver’s license, military enlistment, PSEO, college applications, or Social Security benefits (HSLDA).

• HSLDA: Minnesota Homeschool Laws, How to Comply with Minnesota’s Homeschool Law, Compulsory School Age in Minnesota, and Public School Access in Minnesota
• Minnesota Statutes 120A.22 (compulsory instruction), 120A.24 (reporting), and 123B.49 (extracurricular activities)

Last reviewed: November 8, 2026