Minnesota Homeschooling Laws
Homeschooling laws in Minnesota require children between 7 and 17 years of age to attend compulsory school either at home or a public school. The education code in Minnesota expressly provides that parents bear the primary responsibility for making sure that the child gets the knowledge and the necessary skills for good citizenship. In essence, parents who wish to homeschool in Minnesota are required to follow these guidelines:
1. Make sure that the person providing instruction meets the required qualifications
2. Teach the required subjects
3. Maintain good records
4. Test your child annually
5. Inform your local school district that you are homeschooling
This page provides information on the following:
- Homeschooling in Minnesota
- Your Intent Notice
- Recordkeeping for Homeschoolers in Minnesota
- Requirements for Homeschool Graduation
- Switching from Homeschool to Public school
*This information is by no means intended as legal advice; its purpose is merely informational. It is each parent’s responsibility to get informed and understand the applicable homeschooling laws which regulate homeschooling in his or her state.
Requirements and Laws on Homeschooling in Minnesota
The laws on homeschooling require the following requirements to be met:
The individual giving the instruction must be qualified and possess the following credentials:
o Be a licensed teacher in the subjects taught and the grade, the license has to be approved in Minnesota
o Pass a teacher competency test
o Have a baccalaureate degree
o Give instruction in a state board-accredited school
o Have a teacher who is licensed oversee the individual
The following subjects must be included in the homeschool program and be taught at the level appropriate for the child’s age:
o Math
o Writing
o Reading
o History
o Government and citizenship
o Fine arts
o Science
o Economics
o Health and physical education
o Geography
o Literature
File a notice of intent to homeschool in 15 days after commencing the homeschool program and before 1st October for children above 7 years.
For all children aged 7 to 17, a letter of intention to continue with the homeschool instruction must be submitted to the superintendent every year before 1st October. Any adjustments to the program must be indicated.
Detailed records of the following must be maintained:
o Immunization records
o The homeschool curriculum
o A detailed report and samples of instructional materials
o A duplicate of the calendar
o Demonstration that the specified subjects are covered
o Evidence of the compulsory annual tests as well as details of the evaluation methods used
You must contact the office of the superintendent in 15 days of moving out of the local school district.
Students are required to take an annual standardized test unless the homeschool is government approved by an accrediting body in Minnesota. The superintendent shall consent with the parent regarding the test that will be used and the place it shall be administered according to the MDE.
Homeschoolers in Minnesota can take part in extracurricular activities offered in local schools.
Notice of Intent to Homeschool in Minnesota
A notice of intent to homeschool (NOI) must be filed with the local school superintendent by 1st October every year the homeschool program continues. The notice shall be for all 7 to 17 year old students.
The first notice must indicate the following:
- Names of all the children in the homeschool
- Children’s addresses
- Ages of the homeschool children
- The name of the homeschool instructor
- The teaching credentials of the instructor
- Immunization records of the child at 7years and in grade 7
- The annual assessments you plan to administer
Recordkeeping for Homeschoolers in Minnesota
Parents are required to maintain a detailed record of the homeschool including:
- A detailed report and samples of instructional materials
- A duplicate of the calendar
- Demonstration that the specified subjects are covered
- Evidence of the compulsory annual tests
- Details of the evaluation methods used
Parents are not required by law to keep portfolios but they may choose to maintain the records which come in handy later while making transcripts, helping in evaluating the child’s progress and as a treasured keepsake of the moments spent together learning. The student may take part in this by choosing the projects and samples of written work they like to be included in the portfolio. The page on Homeschool Portfolios provides more information on making portfolios.
Requirements for Graduation in Minnesota
Homeschool parents in Minnesota are free to set the graduation requirements for their student. Parents also determine if and when their student will graduate and are also able to award a high school diploma under their own terms. Parents are advised to consult with colleges the student may be interested in to know the requirements the child must meet so as to align the homeschool goals and curriculum with those requirements.
The chart below shows the comparison between graduation requirements in public school and homeschool in Minnesota.
| Public/Private School | Homeschool | |
|---|---|---|
|
Diploma requirements in Minnesota |
To receive a diploma in Minnesota, a minimum of 21.5 credit courses must be completed. The courses include Math, Social Studies, Science, Language Arts, Physical education, Arts and 7 electives. |
Parents in Minnesota have the liberty to determine when their student will graduate. They then proceed to award the high school diploma under their own terms. |
| Testing requirements in Minnesota | The law does not provide for any test to graduate. Seniors must take the annual tests like all students. |
There is no law in Minnesota that compels or forces homeschoolers to undertake a test as a requirement in order to graduate high school. |
|
Minnesota high school transcripts |
Students can choose to contact their school or use E-transcript system to submit a duplicate of the student’s transcript to the college they wish to join. Unless prices are offset, there is a reasonable charge. |
Parents in Minnesota can create the homeschoolers’ transcripts which may include information they considered relevant to institutions the homeschoolers may intend to apply to. This may include schools, colleges, workplace organizations, or the military. |
|
High school course credits in Minnesota |
The following course credits must be completed by the student: 3 Sciences including Chemistry and Biology, career and tech instruction or Physics, 3 Math including Geometry, Algebra 1 and 2,and Statistics Probability, 3.5 Social Studies(History of the world, the US, Geography, Economics and Government and Citizenship), Language Arts, Physical education, Art and 7 electives. |
Many parents in Minnesota choose to specify or assign academic credits to the courses taken during the homeschooling period as this may aid during the transcript creation process. |
|
Eligibility for GED in Minnesota |
Students who are 19 years and above or those who are 17 and 18 but with an age waiver are eligible to take the GED. They must not be admitted in a public school while taking the test. The page on MDE Adult GED page has more information regarding GED requirements. Students are required to produce an ID issued by the state while taking the test. |
Homeschoolers in Minnesota are eligible if the meet the same criteria as public school students. |
Homeschool High School Transcript Template
Track your homeschooler’s credits, courses, and accomplishments with this free homeschool high school transcript template.
Download the transcript template
Switching from Homeschooling to Public School in Minnesota
There are no laws on reenrolling back to public school. It is the duty of the parent to consult with the local school on the procedure of enrollment. The principal of the local school determines the grade appropriate for the child. The following details may help in determining the most appropriate grade for the child: homeschool portfolios, results of any tests taken, annual assessments, etc..
Lernsys Homeschooling makes it easy to keep a summary of the curriculum used including grades, topics covered, quiz and test scores, teacher credentials, etc.
Additional Resources Related to Homeschooling in Minnesota
Have other questions about homeschooling in Minnesota? You may find the following pages helpful.
