Minnesota State Laws

Homeschooling Laws, Information, and Resources for Minnesota

If you’re living in Minnesota and are looking into homeschooling, you’re in the right place! This page provides the resources and information you need to determine whether homeschooling in the North Star State is right for you.

Summary of Minnesota Homeschool Laws

Knowing the requirements for homeschooling in Minnesota is one key to successful homeschooling. Below is a summary of the homeschool laws in the state of Minnesota. You can find additional information on Home School Legal Defense Association’s (HSLDA) website as well: Minnesota HSLDA Reference

Homeschool Options in Minnesota

Minnesota’s education code recognizes that a child’s parent is primarily responsible for ensuring that the child acquires the knowledge and skills essential to effective citizenship. In order to homeschool legally, you will need to follow these guidelines.

Minnesota State Law Homeschool Summary

The instructor must have the required qualifications–parents teaching their own children automatically qualify. If someone other than a parent is teaching the child, they must have one of the following qualifications:
- Hold a Minnesota teaching license in the field and grade taught
- Be directly supervised by a licensed teacher
- Successfully complete a teacher competency exam
- Provide instruction in a school that is accredited or recognized by the state board
- Hold a baccalaureate degree.
Teach the required subjects, which include reading, writing, literature, fine arts, math, science, history, geography, economics, government, citizenship, health, and physical education.
Keep thorough records. Minnesota law mandates that you maintain documentation indicating that the required subjects are being taught and proof that the tests required have been administered. This documentation must include class schedules, copies of materials used for instruction, and descriptions of methods used to assess student achievement. This information can be required by a county prosecutor in accordance with the law. It’s also a good idea to keep records of attendance, curriculum, and student work samples.
Evaluate your child annually using a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement test. The test and the testing location must be agreed upon by you and your district’s superintendent. If your child scores at or below the 30th percentile or one full grade below children of the same age, you must have your child evaluated for learning difficulties. You should maintain your achievement test results in accordance with the recordkeeping requirements described above.
Notify your school district that you are homeschooling after your child reaches the age of 7. This must be submitted to the superintendent of the school district in which your child resides by October 1 of each school year, or within 15 days of withdrawing the child from public school. The first notification you submit should include:
Name, date of birth, and address of each child being taught

- Annual tests you intend to use
- Name of each instructor
- Evidence of compliance with teacher qualifications (if applicable)

You must also report immunization compliance for each child reaching age 7 and then again in the 7th-grade year. In each subsequent year until your child turns 16, you must provide a letter of intent to continue homeschooling, listing any changes in the required information. (If you begin homeschooling a child after the age of 16, you must submit a letter of intent to continue until the child turns 17.) If you move out of your school district, you must notify that district within 15 days of moving.

Minnesota State Education Resources

Here you’ll find websites for any questions you may have about education in the state of Minnesota.

Minnesota Department of Education: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/index.html
Minnesota State Government – Education: https://mn.gov/portal/education/
Minnesota Community Education Association: https://mn-mcea.org/
Minnesota Education Equity Partnership: https://www.mneep.org/
Minnesota Rural Education Association: https://www.mreavoice.org/
List of Minnesota school districts: https://ballotpedia.org/List_of_school_districts_in_Minnesota

Minnesota Homeschooling Support Groups

Whether you already homeschool in Minnesota or are looking to do so, these resources are quite useful if you’re searching for support, co-ops, or answers to questions about homeschooling in your state.

Christian Homeschools of Stillwater: https://www.chofstillwater.org/
Church of the Epiphany Catholic Homeschool Organization: https://epiphanymn.org/echo-epiphany-catholic-homeschool-organization/
Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators: https://mache.org/
Home Educators for Excellence (HEdFEx): https://www.homeschool-life.com/mn/hedfex/
Homeschool Adventures: https://www.hsadventures.org/
Homeschoolers of Princeton and Elk River, MN (HOPE): https://m.facebook.com/groups/219793824697910/
Metro Edge Debate and Speech Club: https://metroedge.leaguerepublic.com/index.html
Minnesota Homeschoolers’ Alliance: https://www.homeschoolers.org/
North Shore Homeschool Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/452968498220498/
Resources and Encouragement for Area Christian Homeschoolers (REACH): https://www.homeschool-life.com/mn/reach/
Rochester Area Association of Christian Home Educators (RAACHE): https://www.raache.org/
SELAH Homeschool Group – Waconia: https://www.facebook.com/SELAHWACONIA/
Southmetro Christian Home Educators (SCHE): https://www.homeschool-life.com/mn/scheonline/
Southern Cross Christian Co-op: https://www.homeschool-life.com/mn/sccc/

Top Minnesota Homeschooling Field Trip Ideas

One of the many benefits of homeschooling is the flexibility to explore! Here are some ideas for amazing–and educational–field trips around the great state of Minnesota!