Your guide to homeschooling in North Dakota

More and more families are discovering the benefits of taking education into their own hands. In North Dakota, homeschooling offers a unique way to create lessons, routines, and experiences that fit your child’s needs and your family’s lifestyle.

Here, you’ll find a clear overview of the rules, responsibilities, and helpful connections that make homeschooling in the state smoother and more rewarding. You’ll also see how Outschool can complement your teaching with live, interactive classes that fit seamlessly into your homeschool plans.

Homeschooling options in North Dakota

In North Dakota, families can choose between two legal pathways for homeschooling, each with its own set of guidelines. Both routes allow parents to take the lead in their child’s education while meeting the state’s requirements, giving you the ability to decide which option best aligns with your family’s needs and teaching approach.

Homeschooling under the home education law

Most homeschooling families in North Dakota follow the state’s home education law, which gives parents the freedom to guide their child’s learning while meeting basic state guidelines. In certain cases, such as when a parent doesn’t have a high school diploma or GED, a licensed teacher may monitor instruction during the first two years to provide additional support and ensure requirements are met.

Homeschooling under the private school option

Families can also choose to homeschool by enrolling their child in an approved private or religious school that supports home-based instruction. In this arrangement, the school oversees the education program, and families follow the school’s policies while providing instruction at home.

Requirements for homeschooling in North Dakota

Once you’ve chosen your homeschooling path, North Dakota has a few clear rules to help guide your program. These cover how and when to file paperwork, the subjects to include, and ways to track your child’s progress, while still giving you the freedom to shape the learning experience.

Enrollment paperwork

In North Dakota, you must submit a Statement of Intent to your local school district each year before beginning homeschooling. This must be done at least five days before your homeschool year starts, or within fourteen days of moving into a new district. Along with the form, you will need to provide:

• A copy of your child’s birth certificate or other accepted proof of identity.
• A copy of your child’s immunization record or a signed exemption statement.
• Verification that you meet the state’s educational requirements to supervise home instruction.
• The name of your assigned monitor and details of the monitoring plan if monitoring is required.
• A copy of your child’s diagnosis and services plan if they have special learning needs.

Attendance and instruction

Homeschooling in North Dakota means setting aside time for at least four hours of learning each school day across 175 days in the year. You can teach your child yourself, even if you don't have a teaching certification, as long as you have a high school diploma or GED. If you don’t, you can work with a certified teacher as a monitor for the first two years. This balance of structure and flexibility helps you create a program that works for your family.

Curriculum guidelines

North Dakota law requires homeschool instruction to include specific subjects, which vary by grade level. Families can choose their own materials, but these topics must be covered:

Elementary and middle school:

• Reading, writing, grammar, spelling, and other language arts skills
• Math at an appropriate grade level
• Social studies, including U.S. Constitution, history, geography, and government; plus North Dakota studies in grades 4 and 8, focusing on geography, history, and agriculture
• Science, with agriculture included
• Physical education
• Health, covering topics like the human body, hygiene, disease control, and the effects of alcohol, tobacco, and narcotics

High school:

• Language arts, including literature, composition, and speech
• Mathematics courses
• Science, including biology, chemistry, or physical science
• Social studies, including U.S. history, civics, economics, and personal finance concepts
• Physical education
• An elective area from foreign language, fine arts, or career and technical education

Recordkeeping essentials

You’re expected to keep an annual record of the courses your child takes, along with any assessments that show their academic progress. This includes saving results from standardized achievement tests if your child takes them. Having organized records not only keeps you compliant but also makes it easier to track growth over the years.

Testing and assessments

If you’re homeschooling in North Dakota, you’ll need to plan for standardized achievement tests in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10 unless you qualify for an exemption. The test can be the one your district uses or a nationally normed version, and it can be given either at home or in a public school. Test results go to your local school district, and if scores fall below the 30th percentile, the law outlines steps for reviewing your child’s learning needs and creating a remediation plan if necessary.  If your homeschool is monitored, and your child’s scores fall below the 50th percentile, the law requires you to continue with monitoring for another year.

Homeschool with Outschool

Outschool offers a flexible way to add variety, connection, and expert-led instruction to your homeschool routine. Whether you’re looking to fill in subject gaps or explore new interests, there are options to fit every learning style and schedule.

• Live, small-group classes that give kids a chance to interact with peers from across the country.
• Self-paced courses for independent learning at a flexible pace.
• One-on-one tutoring in core subjects or specialized topics.
• Enrichment activities, from art and music to coding and creative writing.
• Clubs that build social skills and community connections.

Adding Outschool to your homeschool plan can help you keep learning fresh and engaging while offering your child opportunities to connect with other students beyond your local community.

How to get started

Homeschooling in North Dakota follows clear requirements, and your first steps depend on the option you choose. Here’s what to do for each pathway.

If you’re homeschooling under the home education law

• File a Statement of Intent with your local school district at least 5 days before starting, or within 14 days of moving into the district. Include your child’s name and birth date, your address, and proof that you have either a high school diploma or a GED.
• If you do not have a diploma or GED, arrange for monitoring by a certified teacher for the first two years.
• Provide copies of your child’s immunization record or a documented exemption.
• Plan your curriculum to meet the state’s required subjects for your child’s grade level.
• Maintain annual records of courses taken, academic progress, and any required standardized test results.
• Follow the state testing schedule, unless you qualify for an exemption.

If you’re homeschooling under the private school option

• Contact the school you wish to work with and confirm that they are recognized as an approved private or religious institution in North Dakota.
• Complete the enrollment process with the school, providing any documents or forms they require.
• Coordinate with the school to follow their curriculum, assessment, and attendance policies.
• Maintain communication with the school to ensure your child’s progress and records are kept in compliance with their standards.
• Participate in any assessments or activities required by the school.

Getting started is simpler when you know your chosen path and have a checklist in hand. Once your paperwork is filed and your learning plan is in place, you can focus on creating a learning environment that works best for your family.

Find support through homeschool communities in North Dakota

Connecting with other homeschooling families can make your journey much smoother. Support groups offer a place to share resources, ask questions, and plan activities that keep learning social and fun. Whether you’re looking for statewide networks or local meetups, there are plenty of options to help you feel supported and connected.

Statewide organizations

• North Dakota Homeschool: A friendly Facebook group where families across the state share advice, curriculum ideas, forms, and tips for getting started.
• ND Homeschool Moms: Offers connection, mentoring, workshops, and events for homeschool parents of all backgrounds and approaches.
• North Dakota Home School Families: An online space for asking state-specific questions, swapping curriculum, and learning from other parents.

Local groups and co-ops

• Bismarck/Mandan Home Schoolers: Connects families in the Bismarck and Mandan area for support, encouragement, and local activities.
• River Valley Homeschoolers: A public group for Fort Smith area homeschoolers to share resources, discuss ideas, and plan group activities.
• Minot Homeschool: A local Facebook group where Minot-area families can connect, share information, and organize meetups.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about homeschooling in North Dakota

These answers to common questions about homeschooling in North Dakota will help you make confident decisions about your child's educational journey.

What qualifications do I need to homeschool my child in North Dakota?

You need at least a high school diploma or GED to homeschool under North Dakota's home education law. If you don't have these qualifications, you can still homeschool your child under the supervision of a certified teacher for up to two years while working toward meeting the requirements.

Can homeschoolers join public school sports or extracurricular activities?

North Dakota law allows homeschooled students to participate in public school athletics and extracurricular activities in their resident district. Each district may have different policies, so reach out to your local athletic director or main office for their homeschool participation guidelines and any requirements, such as maintaining academic progress or meeting attendance standards.

What curriculum options are available for multicultural or creative learners?

North Dakota gives you complete freedom to choose your curriculum and teaching methods, making it perfect for incorporating diverse cultural perspectives and creative learning approaches. You can blend traditional textbooks with online classes like those offered through platforms that specialize in diverse, engaging instruction, cultural studies, arts programs, and hands-on projects that reflect your family's values and your child's interests.

How do I transition my child from public school to homeschooling?

Start by filing your statement of intent with your local superintendent, then request your child's academic records from their current school. Plan your curriculum to build on their existing knowledge while addressing any areas for growth, and consider connecting with local homeschool support groups for guidance and community during the transition period.

Bring your homeschool plans to life in North Dakota

Homeschooling in North Dakota comes with clear guidelines, but also plenty of flexibility to make your child’s education truly their own. Once you understand the state’s requirements and choose the path that works best for your family, you’ll have the freedom to create a learning plan that fits your child’s needs and interests.

If you’d like to enrich your homeschool experience with engaging, high-quality classes, Outschool can help. With live, small-group courses in everything from core academics to unique interest-based topics, it’s a simple way to add variety and keep your learner inspired, no matter where you are in North Dakota.