Minnesota Homeschool Notice of Intent

Legal Framework

Homeschooling in Minnesota is governed by Minnesota Statute 120A.22 (Compulsory Instruction) and Minnesota Statute 120A.24 (Reporting). The law recognizes a home school as a "nonpublic school" where a Minnesota resident may legally fulfill compulsory instruction requirements. Every child between ages 7 and 17 must receive instruction unless they have already graduated.

Annual Notification

You must file an annual notice with the superintendent of your resident school district by October 1 each year (or within 15 days of withdrawing your child from school, if starting mid-year). Your notice must include:

• The name, age, and address of each child being homeschooled
• The name of the instructor for each child
• Evidence of teacher qualifications (if the instructor is not the child's parent)
• A quarterly report listing the subject areas covered during each quarter

There is no approval process — you are providing notice, not seeking permission.

Required Subjects

Minnesota Statute 120A.22 specifies that instruction must include the following areas:

• Basic communication skills — reading, writing, literature, and fine arts
• Mathematics and science
• Social studies — including history, geography, and government
• Health and physical education

You have full freedom to choose your curriculum, textbooks, and teaching methods. The law requires coverage of these broad subject areas but does not dictate specific content or grade-level standards.

Teacher Qualifications

If you are the parent teaching your own children, there are no qualification requirements. You do not need a teaching certificate, college degree, or any specific credential.

If the instructor is someone other than the child's parent, they must be directly supervised by the parent and must meet one of these qualifications: hold a valid Minnesota teaching license, be directly supervised by a licensed teacher, or have successfully completed a teacher competency exam.

Record Keeping

Minnesota requires you to maintain records, but you only need to submit them when enrolling a previously homeschooled child in a public school. Keep records of your child's immunization status (or a notarized statement of exemption), your quarterly subject reports, and your annual test results. Organized records also help if you ever need to demonstrate compliance.