by Rita Onyx
This is meant to be a summary and NOT legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under.
Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular. Just in the last years alone, homeschooling rose up by 700%. What was once seen as old-fashioned and outdated is now a modern way to educate the next generation.
There are many benefits to homeschooling; it gives parents freedom in choosing the curriculums and subjects their children learn. Remote learning also ensures their children are kept safe, away from potential dangers like bullying or viruses in public schools. It’s a win-win situation.
Thinking of homeschooling your children too? Then follow this quick guide on how to homeschool your children if you live in Minnesota. Know the Minnesota homeschool state laws and regulations in your state so you can homeschool properly.
Quick Facts:
- There is one way to homeschool
- Children between 7-17 of age must be in school
- You must notify your local school district of your intentions
Requirements:
- There ARE teacher qualifications
- There ARE state mandated subjects
- There ARE required assessments or testing
- There ARE immunization requirements
How to Homeschool in Minnesota
- Notify the superintendent of the local school district after your child turns 7yrs old by October 1st of every school year until they turn 16yrs old.
- Include in the notification for each child:
a) Name
b) Date of birth
c) Address
d) Teacher qualifications (if applicable)
e) Immunizations
- Instructors must be qualified
- If the instructor is a parent then they are automatically “qualified”
- If someone other than the parent will be the instructor then they must have one of the following:
a) Be a Minnesota-certified teacher in the field and grade taught
b) Be directly supervised by a licensed teacher
c) Successfully complete a teacher competency exam
d) Provide instruction in an accredited school or one that is recognized by the state board
e) Have a baccalaureate degree
- Subjects must include
- Math
- Science
- History
- Reading
- Literature
- Writing
- Fine Arts
- Geography
- Economics
- Government
- Citizenship
- Health
- Physical Education
- Maintain records
- Annually have your child evaluated using a national standardized achievement test
- If your child scores one grade below or below the 30th percentile then they must be evaluated for learning disabilities
- If you have your homeschool accredited by a Minnesota accrediting association you are not required to test your children
Helpful links:
https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/nphs/home/
https://www.hsadventures.org/secular-homeschooling
https://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/non-public-education/regulation-map/minnesota.html
Contact Information–State and Federal Departments of Education
- Minnesota Department of Education
1500 Highway 36 West
Roseville, MN 55113-4266
Phone: 651-582-8200
Fax: 651-582-8724
E-mail: mde.contactus@state.mn.us
Website: http://education.state.mn.us/mde/index.html
- U.S. Department of Education, Minnesota