Homeschool in Minnesota — Laws, Requirements, and How to Start
Minnesota is classified as a moderate-oversight state for homeschooling because families must file an annual report with the local superintendent by October 1, provide instruction in ten specified subjects, and complete annual standardized testing using a nationally normed instrument. Minnesota Statutes Section 120A.22 and 120A.24 govern home instruction in the state. Minnesota’s standardized testing requirement sets it apart from many other moderate states — most moderate states require either testing or a portfolio review, while Minnesota mandates testing specifically. However, Minnesota’s testing requirement is relatively straightforward to meet, and the state does not require portfolio reviews, home visits, or curriculum approval. Minnesota has a large and well-organized homeschool community, particularly in the Twin Cities metro area, Rochester, Duluth, and throughout the state’s rural communities. view our enrollment options
Minnesota families looking for structured, faith-based education can explore Zion Academy’s full range of Minnesota curriculum and programs serving students in all 50 states.
What Are the Legal Requirements to Homeschool in Minnesota?
Minnesota requires homeschool families to file an annual report with the local superintendent by October 1, cover ten required subjects, and administer an annual nationally normed standardized test. Minnesota does not require prior approval before beginning instruction, does not mandate portfolio reviews, and does not conduct home visits. The annual report, subject requirements, and standardized testing are the three primary compliance requirements.
What Is Minnesota’s Annual Report Requirement?
Minnesota requires families to file an annual report with the local superintendent by October 1 of each school year. The annual report notifies the district that the family is conducting home instruction and documents the basic structure of the program. Minnesota does not require prior approval before beginning instruction — the October 1 filing is a reporting requirement, not an approval process. [VERIFY: Confirm the current annual report form and any specific requirements with your local Minnesota school district or HSLDA.org, as reporting forms and procedures can vary between districts.]
Minnesota’s annual report typically includes:
1. The names and ages of all children receiving home instruction
2. The address of the home instruction location
3. The name of the parent providing instruction
4. The subjects that will be covered during the year
5. The nationally normed standardized test that will be used for annual assessment
What Subjects Must Minnesota Homeschoolers Teach?
Minnesota requires home instruction to cover ten specified subject areas. These subjects represent Minnesota’s comprehensive standard for home instruction and are among the more extensive subject lists in the nation. Minnesota does not prescribe specific textbooks or teaching methods for any of these subjects — the choice of how to teach each subject is left entirely to the parent.
The ten required subjects for Minnesota homeschoolers are:
1. Reading
2. Writing
3. Literature
4. Fine arts
5. Mathematics
6. Science
7. History
8. Geography
9. Government
10. Health and physical education
What Is Minnesota’s Annual Standardized Testing Requirement?
Minnesota requires home instruction students to take a nationally normed standardized test annually. The test must be a nationally normed instrument — meaning it is normed against a national sample of students. The test results are used to assess the student’s academic progress. Minnesota does not require test results to be submitted to the school district in all cases, but the test must be administered. [VERIFY: Confirm whether Minnesota requires test results to be submitted to the local superintendent or retained by the family with HSLDA.org or your local school district, as requirements for result reporting can vary by interpretation and district practice.]
Minnesota standardized testing requirements include:
1. Annual administration of a nationally normed standardized test
2. Test must cover academic subjects being instructed
3. Test results retained by the family (and potentially shared with the superintendent)
4. Test administered beginning in the grade levels specified by Minnesota statute
Does Minnesota’s Standardized Testing Requirement Apply to All Grades?
[VERIFY: Minnesota’s standardized testing requirement applies to home instruction students at grade levels specified in Minnesota Statutes Section 120A.22. Confirm which specific grade levels trigger the mandatory testing requirement with HSLDA.org, as requirements for younger students may differ from requirements for older students.] Families should clarify with their local school district or HSLDA which grade levels require annual testing for their specific children.
Does Minnesota Require a Teaching Degree to Homeschool?
Minnesota has some qualification requirements for parents who provide home instruction. [VERIFY: Minnesota Statutes Section 120A.22 sets qualification requirements for home instruction instructors. Confirm current qualification requirements with HSLDA.org, as Minnesota has historically required instructors to have a high school diploma or equivalent and to meet certain competency standards. These requirements may have been modified by recent legislation.] Families using an accredited online school have instruction provided by credentialed professionals through the school’s platform, which addresses any instructor qualification concerns.
How to Start Homeschooling in Minnesota Step by Step
Starting homeschool in Minnesota requires filing the annual report with the local superintendent by October 1, selecting a curriculum covering all ten required subjects, and arranging for annual standardized testing. Families may begin instruction before October 1 — the October 1 deadline is for the filing of the annual report, not a prerequisite for starting.
How Do You Withdraw Your Child from Public School in Minnesota?
A Minnesota parent withdraws a child from public school by notifying the school in writing that the child will be receiving home instruction, and filing the annual report with the local superintendent by October 1. The school district cannot deny a parent’s right to provide home instruction. Minnesota does not require prior approval before beginning instruction. Once the school is notified and the annual report is filed on time, the family is in full legal compliance.
A Minnesota school withdrawal notice should include:
1. The date of the notice
2. The child’s full name and current grade level
3. A statement that the child will receive home instruction under Minnesota Statutes Section 120A.22
4. The effective date of withdrawal
5. The parent’s name, address, and signature
What Curriculum Options Work Best for Minnesota Homeschool Families?
Minnesota homeschool families are free to select any curriculum that covers the ten required subjects. The state does not approve or reject specific educational materials. Families may use textbook programs, online programs, classical education, unit studies, or accredited online schools. An accredited online school such as see our guide to accredited online homeschool program provides structured courses covering all ten Minnesota-required subjects with graded coursework, organized transcripts, and a diploma recognized by Minnesota colleges and universities — while also generating the academic records that support the annual standardized testing process.
Common curriculum approaches for Minnesota homeschool families include:
1. Accredited online school — covers all ten required subjects, provides structured assessment support
2. Traditional textbook curriculum — publisher-based programs covering each required subject
3. Classical education — integrates literature, history, government, fine arts, and language arts
4. Charlotte Mason approach — living books, narration, and nature study across required subjects
5. Eclectic approach — combining the strongest programs for each of the ten required subjects
How Do Minnesota Homeschoolers Arrange Annual Standardized Testing?
Minnesota families must select a nationally normed standardized test and arrange for its administration annually. Many families use tests such as the Iowa Assessments, Stanford Achievement Test, or other nationally normed instruments available through testing services. [VERIFY: Confirm that the specific test selected qualifies as a nationally normed instrument under Minnesota Statutes Section 120A.22 with HSLDA.org before committing to a testing service.] An accredited online school may administer end-of-year assessments that qualify as the nationally normed test — confirm with the school whether its assessments satisfy Minnesota’s requirement. For guidance on structuring a Minnesota homeschool from start to finish, see homeschool startup guide.
What Funding and Resources Help Minnesota Homeschool Families?
Minnesota has a large and well-organized homeschool community, with particularly strong support networks in the Twin Cities metro area, Rochester, Duluth, and St. Cloud. State-level financial support for homeschoolers has been a topic of ongoing legislative discussion.
Does Minnesota Have an Education Savings Account or Voucher Program?
[VERIFY: As of early 2025, Minnesota does not have a universal Education Savings Account (ESA) or school choice voucher program available to all homeschool families. Minnesota has a K-12 Education Credit and other tax-related provisions that may benefit some families, but a universal ESA open to all homeschool families has not been enacted as of the date this page was written. Families should monitor the Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators (MACHE) and HSLDA.org for legislative developments regarding school choice funding in Minnesota.] Minnesota has a post-secondary enrollment option that allows qualified students to take college courses, which some homeschool families use for high school enrichment.
What Homeschool Co-ops and Support Groups Exist in Minnesota?
Minnesota has one of the most developed homeschool support ecosystems in the Midwest. The Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators (MACHE) is the primary statewide Christian homeschool organization, hosting an annual convention in the Twin Cities that draws thousands of families from across the state. Numerous local co-ops throughout the Twin Cities, Rochester, Duluth, and St. Cloud metro areas offer enrichment classes, fine arts programs, science labs, and athletic opportunities for homeschool students.
Key Minnesota homeschool support organizations include:
1. Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators (MACHE) — mache.org — primary statewide organization
2. Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) — hslda.org — legal support and advocacy
3. Local co-ops in the Twin Cities, Rochester, Duluth, and St. Cloud metro areas
4. Secular homeschool networks and inclusive support groups throughout the state
Can Minnesota Homeschoolers Participate in Public School Activities?
[VERIFY: Minnesota has legislation that provides homeschool students with some access to public school programs and activities. Confirm the current status and scope of Minnesota’s homeschool access law with HSLDA.org or the Minnesota Department of Education, as the specific activities and access provisions available to homeschool students can change with legislative action.] Minnesota has been one of the more progressive states in providing homeschool students access to public school resources.
Frequently Asked Questions About Homeschooling in Minnesota
Is homeschooling legal in Minnesota?
Homeschooling is fully legal in Minnesota under Minnesota Statutes Section 120A.22, which provides a compulsory attendance exemption for children receiving home instruction that meets the state’s requirements. Minnesota’s home instruction law is well-established and has been interpreted consistently in favor of parental rights. No school district has the authority to deny a family the right to provide home instruction once the annual report is filed and the program meets statutory requirements.
Can a Minnesota homeschool student receive a diploma?
Yes. Minnesota homeschool students can receive a diploma issued by their home instruction program or by an accredited online homeschool program. An accredited diploma is recognized by Minnesota colleges, universities, and employers. Minnesota family enrollment plans. The University of Minnesota, Minnesota State system, and private Minnesota colleges have established processes for evaluating homeschool graduates. An accredited transcript from an online school strengthens any college application.
Does Minnesota require the annual report to be filed every year?
Yes. Minnesota requires a new annual report to be filed with the local superintendent each school year by October 1. The annual report must be refiled each year and does not carry over from the previous year. Setting a calendar reminder for early September ensures that the October 1 deadline is not missed. Families who miss the deadline should file as soon as possible after the oversight is discovered.
What nationally normed standardized tests are accepted in Minnesota?
Minnesota requires a nationally normed standardized test, and many widely used tests qualify. Tests that have historically been used by Minnesota homeschool families include the Iowa Assessments, the Stanford Achievement Test, the Terra Nova, the California Achievement Test, and similar nationally normed instruments. [VERIFY: Confirm that any specific test selected qualifies under Minnesota Statutes Section 120A.22 with HSLDA.org before administering it, as the qualifying test list can change.] Testing services that administer these tests at home or at authorized testing locations are available through homeschool support organizations and independent testing companies.
DISCLAIMER: This information is provided for general educational purposes and reflects our understanding of current homeschool laws as of 2026. Homeschool laws, regulations, and funding programs change frequently at the state, county, and district level. This page does not constitute legal advice. Families should verify current requirements directly with their state’s department of education, consult HSLDA.org for up-to-date legal guidance, or speak with a qualified attorney before making educational decisions based on this information.
Zion Academy is accepted in Minnesota — Families across Minnesota choose Zion Academy’s accredited online homeschool program for Christian education from kindergarten through 12th grade. enrollment plans Minnesota families
For a complete overview of homeschool laws across all states, visit homeschool laws and requirements.