Homeschooling in North Dakota: Requirements, Costs, and How to Start
North Dakota has detailed requirements including testing.
Last reviewed by the HomeschoolOS Compliance Team
Always verify with North Dakota's Department of Education before filing or submitting compliance documents — laws change, and edge cases can apply.
Key Takeaways
- Compulsory school attendance in North Dakota applies to children ages 7 through 16.
- North Dakota requires homeschool families to file a notice of intent or similar notification with the state or local district.
- North Dakota requires standardized testing or an alternative assessment.
- North Dakota requires at least 175 instructional days per year, with at least 4 hours per day.
- North Dakota does not require a homeschool portfolio.
North Dakota applies more state structure than its neighbors, but the rules are well-documented. File an annual statement of intent at least five days before starting, or within 14 days of moving into the state. Instruction must total 175 days at a minimum of four hours per day. Standardized testing is required in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10 unless your child is enrolled under the state-licensed-teacher pathway. Immunization records are required. Compulsory attendance covers ages 7–16. North Dakota recognizes two main homeschool options: the homeschool statute (most families) and supervision by a North Dakota–certified teacher, which exempts families from the testing requirement and some other oversight. The North Dakota Home School Association publishes annual compliance guidance and hosts a strong statewide convention. Despite the high-regulation classification, families generally describe the experience as predictable rather than burdensome — the rules are stable year to year, and once you've done the testing once, you know exactly what the next cycle looks like.
At a Glance
Compulsory Ages
7–16
Regulation Level
High regulation
Notification
Required
Testing
Required
Portfolio
Not required
Immunization
Required
Is homeschooling legal in North Dakota?
Yes — homeschooling is legal in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, including North Dakota. North Dakota has one of the most documentation-heavy homeschool frameworks in the country, with detailed annual filings, required assessments, and specific subject and hour mandates. The structure is real, but the rules are clearly written and the statewide homeschool community is well-organized to help new families navigate them.
North Dakota Homeschool Requirements: Detailed Breakdown
Instruction Days
175 days per year
Daily Hours
4 hours per day minimum
Notification Required
Yes — must file with your district or state
Testing Required
Yes — standardized test or assessment
Portfolio Required
No portfolio required
Required Subjects
Varies — see official source View North Dakota DOE.
Details
File annual statement of intent 5 days before starting or within 14 days of moving. Testing in grades 4,6,8,10 unless exempt. 4 hrs/day min. Option 2 for certified teachers.
How much does it cost to homeschool in North Dakota?
Most North Dakota homeschool families spend roughly $500 to $2,500 per child per year. The exact figure depends on whether you build your own curriculum from low-cost or free resources (libraries, Khan Academy, open educational materials), use a packaged curriculum, or layer in tutoring, co-ops, and enrichment classes. Standardized testing fees, when required, typically run $30–$50 per test.
North Dakota does not currently have a widely-known statewide homeschool scholarship or ESA program with universal eligibility. Check North Dakota's school choice landscape annually — programs are expanding rapidly across the country.
Can homeschool students play public school sports in North Dakota?
Public school sports access for homeschool students varies by district in North Dakota, and the rules are typically set by the state high school athletic association rather than the legislature. Many districts allow participation under state equal-access laws or athletic association rules; others have restrictions tied to part-time enrollment or residency.
Contact your local school district's athletic director directly to confirm what your child can participate in this year, and consult HSLDA's North Dakota page for the current statewide picture.
Homeschooling high school in North Dakota: transcripts, diplomas, and college
In North Dakota, homeschool families are responsible for issuing their own high school diploma and maintaining their own transcript. Colleges across the country routinely admit homeschool graduates — many state universities have published homeschool admission policies, and selective private colleges increasingly recruit homeschoolers actively.
Most North Dakota homeschool teens strengthen their college applications by taking the SAT or ACT, completing dual-enrollment courses at a local community college, building a portfolio of meaningful projects, and securing strong recommendations from adult mentors outside the family. HomeschoolOS includes a transcript and GPA generator that pulls from the lessons, grades, and credit-hour data you log throughout the year.
How do I withdraw my child from public school to homeschool in North Dakota?
Generate your North Dakotawithdrawal letter →
Free 90-second wizard. Letter, attendance log, and 30/60/90 checklist as PDFs. No account.
The standard procedure
- Submit a written withdrawal letter to your child's current school principal. Keep a copy and obtain confirmation of receipt.
- File your homeschool notice of intent with North Dakota's appropriate state or district office, following the state's required cadence and content. This establishes your homeschool legally and ends the public school's compulsory-attendance jurisdiction.
- Begin tracking attendance, lessons, and any required portfolio work from day one — in North Dakota, your records protect you against any later truancy or state-requirement question.
North Dakota homeschool community and resources
The most useful North Dakota homeschool resources for new families are typically a statewide convention or association, a local co-op for weekly community, and HSLDA for legal questions.
- North Dakota Home School Association (NDHSA) — Statewide convention and legal advocacy for North Dakota families. Visit site
- HSLDA — North Dakota — Legal-defense membership and current statutory analysis. Visit page
- Local co-ops and Facebook groups— Search “[your city] North Dakotahomeschool” on Facebook to find weekly co-ops, park days, and field-trip groups that match your child's age and your educational philosophy.
How Homeschool OS tracks North Dakota's requirements
Attendance Tracker
Every school day is logged automatically as lessons are completed.
Daily Hours Log
Lesson durations accumulate into daily and annual hour totals.
Assessment Reminders
Deadline alerts ensure you never miss a required assessment date.
Filing Reminders
Get notified before notification deadlines so paperwork is never late.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start homeschooling in North Dakota?
To start homeschooling in North Dakota, you must file a notice of intent with your local school district or state education agency. Compulsory education applies to children ages 7 through 16.
Do I need to notify anyone to homeschool in North Dakota?
Yes. North Dakota requires homeschool families to file a notice of intent or similar notification with their local school district or state education agency.
Is testing required for homeschoolers in North Dakota?
Yes. North Dakota requires standardized testing or assessments for homeschooled students.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in North Dakota?
North Dakota does not mandate specific subjects for homeschool instruction.
What ages are covered by compulsory education in North Dakota?
Children ages 7 through 16 are subject to compulsory education laws in North Dakota.
How much does it cost to homeschool in North Dakota?
Most homeschool families in North Dakota spend roughly $500 to $2,500 per child per year on curriculum, supplies, testing fees, and enrichment. The exact figure depends on whether you build your own program from low-cost resources or use a packaged curriculum.
Can homeschool students play public school sports in North Dakota?
Public school sports access for homeschool students varies by district in North Dakota. Many districts allow participation under state equal-access laws or athletic association rules; others have restrictions. Contact your local district directly, and consult HSLDA's North Dakota page for the current statewide picture.
Can homeschool students earn a diploma and go to college in North Dakota?
Yes. Homeschool families in North Dakota are responsible for issuing their own high school diploma and transcript. Colleges across the country routinely admit homeschool graduates; many North Dakota families strengthen their applications with SAT or ACT scores, dual-enrollment courses at a local community college, and a portfolio of meaningful projects.
How do I withdraw my child from public school to homeschool in North Dakota?
In North Dakota, withdrawing from public school typically involves submitting a written withdrawal letter to the school principal and filing your homeschool notice of intent with the appropriate state or district office. The notification protects you from truancy concerns and establishes your homeschool legally for the school year.
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Similar States
Other high regulation states:
This information is for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. Always verify requirements with your state's department of education before relying on this data.