Homeschooling in North Dakota: What You Need to Know to Get Started

You probably know a family that homeschools. And there's a good chance something about their kids made you pause — not just that they seemed confident, but that they could actually talk. About why things cost what they cost. About how decisions get made. About the kind of ideas most kids never encounter until they're adults trying to catch up. That gap is real. And for North Dakota families, homeschooling is one of the clearest ways to close it. 

Homeschooling here is completely legal, and the path to getting started is very easy. You need a high school diploma, an annual notice filed with your local school district, and a plan that covers the subjects the state requires, and that's most of it.

This guide walks you through everything step by step, from the legal options available to you and how to file your paperwork, to the subjects you're required to teach, how testing works, and how to find your community once you're underway. North Dakota gives families flexibility, and this guide helps you see exactly where it starts. 

Why Do Parents Homeschool in ND 

Nine out of ten parents don't feel confident that schools are preparing their kids for real-world success. That number lands differently once you have kids. It stops being a statistic and starts being a Tuesday afternoon conversation where your eight-year-old can't explain why things cost what they cost, but can recite a reading list in order.

That gap is what drives a lot of North Dakota families to homeschool. Not dissatisfaction with teachers, or ideology, but a specific, honest recognition that some of the most important things a kid can learn (how economies work, how decisions get made, what it means to be responsible for your own life)  aren't getting covered, and the family dinner table might be the best place to start.

North Dakota's homeschool law gives parents the room to do that. The state sets requirements for subjects, hours, and testing. Everything beyond that is yours to design.

Is Homeschooling Legal in North Dakota?

Yes, homeschooling is completely legal in North Dakota. Families have had the right to educate their children at home since 1989, and it gives parents real flexibility in how they do it. The current framework is governed by North Dakota Century Code Chapter 15.1-23, and while it does include specific requirements, it also gives families meaningful freedom in how they teach.

North Dakota homeschool laws are considered moderately regulated. There are requirements such as annual filings, subject coverage, and testing in certain grades, but none of them are designed to be obstacles. They exist to give parents a clear structure to work with and assist families new to this model.

Two Pathways in North Dakota's Homeschool Laws

North Dakota offers two legal routes for home education: the Home Education Law and the private school option.

Home Education Law (NDCC 15.1-23)

This is the path the vast majority of ND families use. It does not require a teaching certification or a baccalaureate degree. You'll need a high school diploma or GED, an annual Statement of Intent filed with your district superintendent, and you must meet the state's requirements for subjects, instructional time, and testing.

Private School Option

Parents can operate as a one-room private school by filing an annual affidavit with the NDDPI (form SFN 12431). This has fewer restrictions: you won't need an NOI, subject coverage, or standardized testing, but it does require 175 days of at least 4 hours each. Many homeschool parents qualify and use it as an alternative to the first option.

How to Start Home Education in North Dakota: Step-by-Step for Homeschool Families

Getting started is only a long process if you don't know where and how to start. Let's help you with some direction.

Step 1 — Check Your Qualifications

To homeschool under the Home Education Law, you must be your child's parent or legal guardian. You also need a high school diploma or GED to serve as your child's primary instructor. Unlike public school teachers, you are not required to pass a national teacher examination or hold a teaching license to begin homeschooling your child. A licensed teacher in your family or co-op may help with certain subjects, but it is not a requirement.

Step 2 — File Your Annual Statement of Intent (NOI)

Before your child's first day of home education, you'll need to file a Statement of Intent with the superintendent of your local school district. This is your formal notification that your family is beginning a home education program.

What to include in your NOI:

• Your child's name, age, grade level, and address — your child's identity and residency details are required
• Proof of your qualification to homeschool (copy of diploma or GED)

Filing deadlines:

• At least 14 days before you begin homeschooling
• Or, within 14 days of moving to a new school district in North Dakota, simply file a new NOI with the local superintendent in your child's county

The official Statement of Intent form (SFN 16909) is available through the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. You'll refile this form every year for each child aged 7 or older. Note that a birth certificate may be requested as part of verifying your child's age and enrollment status.

If you're pulling a child out of public school mid-year, you can begin homeschooling five days after submitting your NOI. For more on timing and planning your start, see our guide on when to start homeschooling.

Step 3 — Plan Your School Year

Under the Home Education Law, you're required to provide at least 175 days of instruction, with a minimum of four hours per school day. Beyond that, the structure is yours to build.

You'll choose your own curriculum and teaching methods. North Dakota does not mandate a specific program, only specific subjects, which will be covered in the next section. The state tells you what to teach, but how you teach it is entirely your call.

If you want a more in-depth guide, our article on how to start homeschooling is a great read to add to your rotation. 

What Subjects Are Required in North Dakota?

North Dakota specifies the subjects your child must receive instruction in, and they largely mirror what's taught in public schools. But the method, the curriculum, and any additions are yours to decide.

Core Subject Requirements (K–8)

For elementary and middle school students, required subjects include:

• English Language Arts: reading, composition, creative writing, grammar, and spelling
• Mathematics
• Social Studies: U.S. history, U.S. Constitution, North Dakota history and government, geography (4th and 8th grade social studies should include North Dakota studies specifically)
• Science
• Physical Education and Health: including physiology, hygiene, disease prevention, and the effects of alcohol, tobacco, and narcotics

High School Additions

High school students must cover all the core subjects above, plus at least one of the following:

• Foreign languages
• Fine arts
• Career and technical education

The state mandates subjects, not curriculum. There's no required textbook, program, or delivery method. You can use whatever works for you, including online courses, living books, hands-on projects, co-op classes, or any combination that suits your family. Some families also enroll their children in public school courses for specific subjects, particularly at the high school level, which is a flexible option worth exploring with your local public school.

Where Tuttle Twins Homeschool Hub Comes In

Many North Dakota families use their curriculum freedom to go beyond required subjects, adding materials that bring money, government, and real-world decision-making to life in ways kids engage with. The Tuttle Twins Homeschool Hub gives families exactly that: a curriculum that turns big ideas into the kind of conversations kids carry to the dinner table. You'll find everything needed for your homeschooling journey, including bundles for:

• Toddlers (ages 6 and below)
• Kids ages 7-12
• Teens ages 13 upward

You’d find every resource needed in these bundles. Including essentials such as:

• Economics Curriculum: Help your children become real-world money smart with engaging economics and finance books that make big ideas simple, and practical.
• American History: This features two 240+ page hardback storybooks packed with inspiring stories and powerful ideas from America's past, built to help your children learn from history and think seriously about the future. 
• Toddler books and resources:  It's never too early to start. The toddler collection introduces big ideas such as fairness, kindness, and how the world works through simple, beautiful read-alouds that feel like storytime.
• Children’s series: The core Tuttle Twins storybook series brings interesting characters to life through adventures kids would want to follow. With ideas such as entrepreneurship and free markets, personal responsibility and critical thinking, each book in the series wraps a real idea inside a story so the conversations happen naturally at home.
• Parents Guide: Expert commentary and clear answers that help you explain complex concepts to your child without overcomplicating them.

Standardized Testing and Record-Keeping

This is the section that makes many new homeschoolers nervous, but it doesn't need to. Testing in North Dakota is straightforward, and the record-keeping requirements are manageable once you understand what's expected.

When Testing Is Required

Standardized testing is required in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10 for students homeschooling under the Home Education Law.

You have two options for the test itself:

• The district's standardized achievement test is used by your local public school (administered at no cost to your family)
• A nationally normed test of your choice, such as the Iowa Assessment or the Stanford 10, at your own expense

The test must be administered by a qualified individual or a certified teacher, either at the public school or in your homeschool environment. Once complete, you submit the results — including your child's basic composite score — to your local district superintendent and keep a copy for your records.

Testing Exemptions

You can opt out of the testing requirement if you have a religious objection or a philosophical objection to standardized testing. A signed parent statement is required to claim this exemption.

Score Thresholds to Know

• Below the 30th percentile in any subject area: the school district may require a professional assessment by a multidisciplinary assessment team and possibly a remediation plan to address your child's academic deficiencies.
• Below the 50th percentile composite (for families in the monitoring period): the monitoring period continues until your child's previous year's test score improves to reach or exceed the 50th percentile.

These thresholds exist to identify children who may need additional support. The majority of homeschooled students never encounter these consequences, but it's worth knowing the numbers going in.

Record-Keeping Requirements

North Dakota requires you to maintain a yearly record or annual academic records for each home-educated child, including:

• Courses taken
• Child's academic progress assessments
• Attendance logs
• Test scores

You won't be required to submit these records routinely, but you must have them available if your district requests them. Up-to-date information in your records is also essential if your child ever transitions back to public schools in North Dakota, applies to college, or seeks a district-issued diploma. Good records are always worth keeping from day one. 

Think of your records as your child's story of how they spent these years and the proof you'll want on hand if they ever apply to college, transition back to public school, or simply need to show what they've learned.

Homeschool Community and Support in North Dakota

One of the most common concerns new homeschool families have is isolation for their kids and for themselves. North Dakota's homeschool community is very active, and you wouldn't have to build it from scratch.

Statewide and Local Resources

ND Homeschool Association (NDHSA): Founded in 1985, the NDHSA is the state's primary advocacy and support organization for homeschool parents. Members get access to legal resources, newsletters, event listings, and a network of fellow homeschooling families. If you're just starting, connecting with this homeschool association is one of the smartest first steps you can take.

Homeschool co-ops: Co-ops are groups of homeschooling families who share teaching responsibilities, pool resources, and give kids the chance to learn alongside peers. Some are organized by subject; others form around shared values or faith. These groups also double as support groups, providing the social connection and group learning environment that many families want for their children.

Public school extracurriculars: The law specifically allows homeschooled students to participate in extracurricular activities at their local North Dakota public school, so your child will have access to sports, band, clubs, and more. Your child would need to meet the same eligibility standards as enrolled students, which may include providing a child's immunization record and meeting any other requirements set by the local school district.

What to Look for in a Support Community

As you explore local options, look for a group that shares your educational philosophy and values, offers opportunities for your kids to build friendships, and provides co-ops or resources that complement what you're teaching at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Old Does My Child Need to be Before I'm Required to Homeschool in North Dakota?

North Dakota's compulsory attendance laws apply to children ages 7 through 16. You can begin homeschooling before age 7, but you're not required to file a Statement of Intent until your child turns 7. Starting earlier also gives your family time to find your rhythm before the official requirements take effect, making that first filing year feel much more settled.

Does North Dakota Offer Any Financial Assistance for Homeschooling?

Currently, North Dakota does not have a state-funded ESA or voucher program for homeschool families. Private grants and scholarships may be available through organizations outside the state.

How Does Homeschooling Work if My Child Has Special Education Needs?

Homeschooled children in North Dakota with identified disabilities may receive related services through their local school district. If a district assessment team determines your child needs support, a services plan must be created, either through the district or privately with qualified professionals.

 Every child's situation is different, and the rules can vary depending on the type and level of support needed. The most practical starting point is your local district or HSLDA, who can walk you through what's available specifically for your child.

Can My Homeschooled Child Earn a High School Diploma?

Yes, your child can earn a high school diploma in North Dakota through several pathways: your local public school district, an approved nonpublic school, or an approved nonpublic high school such as the North Dakota Center for Distance Education. Each issuing institution sets its own graduation requirements. Homeschoolers in North Dakota are also eligible for the state's Academic/CTE Scholarship by filing a home education transcript with the NDDPI.

What if We Move to a New School District In The Middle of The Year?

File a new Statement of Intent with the county superintendent or the superintendent of your new district within 14 days of establishing residency. The process is the same as your original filing; there is no waiting period, and you can continue homeschooling right through the transition.

Conclusion

North Dakota's home education law is designed to be workable. File your Statement of Intent, teach the required subjects, meet the minimum instructional time, and stay on top of testing in the grades that require it. Everything else — including the curriculum and the values you weave through every lesson — is yours to determine.

The requirements are a starting line. The state tells you what subjects to cover and how many hours to log. Everything after that — the ideas you explore, the values you weave through every lesson, the conversations that happen at the dinner table — is yours. 

Homeschooling isn't the easiest path, but it's one of the most direct ones connected to who your child becomes, what they value, and how they see the world. The families who lean into that responsibility rarely wish they'd done less of it.

The Tuttle Twins Homeschool Hub is a natural next step — built for families who want their kids at the dinner table asking the questions most schools never raise: Why do prices go up? Who decides how money works? What does it actually mean to own something? One conversation at a time, it adds up to a kid who's ready for the world.