Homeschooling in North Dakota? We’ll walk you through it.

North Dakota assigns your pathway based on your education level. If you hold a bachelor's degree, you file a statement of intent with your local superintendent at least 5 days before you begin, and you teach without any monitoring. If you hold a high school diploma or GED, a certified teacher monitors your program for the first two years — visiting at least twice per year and reporting to the superintendent. After two satisfactory years, the monitoring ends. Parents without a diploma or GED are monitored for the entire duration.

Regardless of pathway, the core requirements are the same: teach six required subjects (English language arts, math, social studies, science, physical education, and health), provide 175 days of instruction at a minimum of 4 hours per day, and have your child tested with a nationally normed standardized test at grades 4, 6, 8, and 10. The threshold is the 30th percentile in each subject area. Scoring below that triggers a multidisciplinary assessment and remediation — but scoring below the 50th percentile also triggers additional monitoring, so aim higher if you can.

One of North Dakota's unique strengths is its statutory guarantee of dual enrollment and extracurricular access. Under NDCC 15.1-23-09, your child may enroll in up to two courses per semester at the local public school and participate in curricular and extracurricular activities, subject to the same eligibility rules as enrolled students. Your school district must allow this access — it is not discretionary.

Your pathway is determined by your education level, not by choice. Parents with a bachelor's degree get the least restrictive option under NDCC 15.1-23-12 — no monitoring required. Parents with a high school diploma or GED start with two years of certified teacher monitoring under NDCC 15.1-23-03 and 15.1-23-10, then transition to unmonitored home education under NDCC 15.1-23-13. Parents without a diploma or GED are monitored for the entire duration. All pathways share the same subject, testing, and instructional time requirements.

Dual enrollment is a right. Under NDCC 15.1-23-09, your child can take up to two courses per semester at the local public school for free. The district must allow this — use it for lab sciences, foreign languages, or any class you want supplemented.

Sports access is guaranteed. The same statute (NDCC 15.1-23-09) gives homeschool students access to interscholastic activities at the local public school, governed by NDHSAA eligibility rules.

Religious or philosophical testing exemption. Under NDCC 15.1-23-09, you may request an exemption from standardized testing if it conflicts with your religious or philosophical beliefs. If the superintendent grants it, you and the superintendent must agree on an alternative assessment method.

Special needs services. North Dakota requires a formal services plan for homeschooled children with disabilities under NDCC 15.1-23-11 through 15.1-23-13. You can work with your district or hire your own team. Progress reports are due three times per year (November 1, February 1, and May 1).

Recordkeeping matters. Under NDCC 15.1-23-07, you must maintain annual records of courses, evidence of academic progress, and attendance records showing compliance with the 175-day, 4-hour-per-day requirement. These records are subject to superintendent review.

College readiness. North Dakota University System institutions accept homeschool applicants. Prepare ACT or SAT scores, a parent-prepared transcript, and documentation of your home education program.