North Dakota Homeschool Information
—Homeschool In North Dakota—
Homeschooling in North Dakota
Find Out What the State Says About Home Education
North Dakota School Choice
Click above for general information on the school choice.
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction
Click above for the state Education Information.
North Dakota Homeschool Review
Here’s a thorough breakdown of North Dakota homeschool rules and how things change when you enroll in a private accredited online program:
🏠 1. Home Education (“Homeschooling”)
State law outlines the following requirements:
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Annual Notice of Intent
Submit a statement to your public‑school district or county superintendent at least 14 days before beginning (or within 14 days of residency). Include child’s name, DOB, grade, parent qualifications, immunization + ID, and any public school courses or extracurriculars planned -
Parent Qualifications
To supervise without oversight, a parent must hold at least a high school diploma or GED. If not, a state‑certified teacher must monitor the first two years of homeschooling, or until third grade—extension is required if test scores fall below the 50th percentile t. -
Instruction Time & Subjects
Instruction must run at least 4 hours/day, 175 days/year, covering core subjects: English, math, science, social studies, P.E., health; plus foreign language, fine arts, or career/tech in high school -
Recordkeeping
Parents must keep annual records of courses and progress (including test results) -
Standardized Testing (Grades 4, 6, 8, 10)
Required unless exempt—exemptions apply if the parent is a licensed teacher, has a bachelor’s degree, or meets cut‑score/exempt for philosophical reasons. Testing must be administered by a certified teacher. Parents submit results to the superintendent -
Diploma Options
Parents can issue their own diploma. Alternatively, the local district, a non‑public school, or ND Center for Distance Education (CDE) may issue a diploma if requirements are met -
Public School / Extracurricular Access
Homeschooled students can take public school classes and activities under the same standards as enrolled students
🎓 2. Private School Option (Private Accredited Program)
This path applies if you’re a state‑certified teacher:
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Requirements
You must hold an ND teaching license and undergo a criminal‑history check -
Instruction & Recordkeeping
Teach all required subjects, match public school instructional time (typically ~180 days/year), and file a yearly notice of intent -
Testing and exemptions
The private‑school route does not require standardized testing or parent‑monitoring like the homeschool law does.
🔁 3. Private Accredited Online Homeschool
If you enroll in an accredited online private school program here’s what changes:
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Compliance through program
You follow the program’s curriculum and policies—not the homeschool-required 175-day/4-hour day. The program handles recordkeeping, assessments, transcripts, diplomas, etc.
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Notice of Intent
You should still file the yearly Statement of Intent notifying the district of your intent to homeschool, even if participating in a private online program -
Public School Access
Participation in district extracurriculars may depend on district policies and transfer rules if you’re enrolled through the online program . -
Testing
Standardized testing under homeschool law does not apply—you follow the private school’s testing/reporting schedule.
🔍 Key Takeaways
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Homeschool route demands compliance with state rules: notice, teaching time, subjects, testing, and recordkeeping.
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Private accredited online programs shift compliance to the school’s framework—skip in-person testing, but still file Intent and check extracurricular eligibility.
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Ensure program is accredited and check if local districts accept their diplomas/transcripts.
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Participation in district sports and activities may require “transfer” designation; ask your district.
Bottom line:
Enrolling in a private accredited online school generally means you’re subject to that program’s requirements—not the state’s homeschool-specific mandates—but you still need to submit the annual Intent form and coordinate extracurriculars through your district.
North Dakota K-12 School Choice
🧭 What This Means for Homeschoolers or Online Private Enrollment
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No financial assistance currently exists statewide for private or online schooling through ESA/voucher models.
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Homeschoolers and charter/private school families must still cover tuition and costs themselves.
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Legislative momentum around school choice is growing—expect renewed proposals next session.
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Governor Armstrong is open to crafting a broader, more inclusive ESA bill post-2025 .
🔍 Looking Ahead
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Next session (2027): Strong potential for a revived, broader ESA proposal with support from the Governor and some legislators.
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Watch for legislative updates later this year—Governor and key sponsors have indicated intent to reintroduce tailored school choice funding.
North Dakota School Choice
Here’s a comprehensive summary of school choice options in North Dakota, along with the current state of funding or voucher-type programs for private or online schooling:
📚 School Choice Options Available Now
1. Inter‑District Open Enrollment
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Students can attend public schools in neighboring districts, subject to the policies of both sending and receiving districts
2. Charter Schools
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Not currently available. North Dakota doesn’t have active charter schools—but legislative action signed earlier in 2025 lays groundwork for their creation
3. Homeschooling & Private Schooling
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Verified through individual pathways. Homeschool support and private schooling are allowed under state regulations (e.g., homeschool notice, parent qualifications, private school accreditation, outlined previously).
💵 Funding & State-Supported School Choice
🔹 Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) / Voucher Proposals
North Dakota has considered multiple funding initiatives—but no active state-funded program exists yet.
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Senate Bill 2400 (Universal ESA Proposal)
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Would have granted:
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$500 per public or homeschooled child,
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$2,000–$4,000 for private school students, based on household income
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Passed Senate, died in House. Estimated ~$58 million annual cost
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House Bill 1540 (Private School‑Only ESA)
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Proposed vouchers for private school attendance ($1,000–$4,000), tiered by income
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Vetoed by Governor Armstrong on April 23, 2025
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Other Pilot ESA Legislation (HB 1590, HB 1607, SB 2303)
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Included options like matched savings ($2,000 cap, 50% state match) and larger debit-card style accounts for private schooling
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Despite legislative traction, none were enacted this session.
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🔹 Current Status (June 2025)
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No active voucher or ESA program—all proposals failed or were vetoed
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Many lawmakers and the Governor have expressed support in principle but cite concerns over funding, equity, rural access, and constitutional constraints .
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Governor Armstrong hinted at revisiting a broader ESA-type bill for the next session .
Homeschool Resources for North Dakota
Homeschooling has been part of education for centuries. In earlier times, it was simple to begin without worrying about rules or oversight. Today, however, homeschooling regulations vary by state, and some families may find it more challenging to get started. That’s why NFC Academy provides helpful state-specific pages outlining homeschool laws—to guide and support you as you begin your journey.
In areas with stricter requirements, having reliable support is important. Organizations like the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) offer valuable legal guidance and protection, helping families stay informed and confident. With the right tools and resources, homeschooling can be a rewarding and manageable experience, no matter where you live.
Homeschool Legal Defense Association
Information on this page is intended for informational purposes for homeschool families in the specific state. The information supplied does not, nor is it intended to, provide specific legal advice. For specific legal advice, we recommend you consult an attorney. Membership with Homeschool Legal Defense may provide legal information for your situation, but you may prefer a local private attorney to review your situation to provide specific legal advice. The information provided was assisted in writing by AI.