Minnesota Homeschool Laws and Funding (2026-27)

What Minnesota’s law requires

The law that allows it: Under Minnesota Statutes 120A.22, a home school that provides instruction meeting this section and 120A.24 counts as a school for compulsory attendance.

“or a nonpublic school, church or religious organization, or home school in which a child is provided instruction in compliance with this section and section 120A.24” Minnesota Statutes 120A.22, compulsory instruction
Telling the state or district: The person in charge of instruction reports to the local superintendent the child's name, birth date and address, the annual tests to be used, each instructor's name, and evidence the instructor meets one of the law's qualifications.

“must submit to the superintendent of the district in which the child resides the name, birth date, and address of the child; the annual tests intended to be used under section 120A.22, subdivision 11 , if required; the name of each instructor” Minnesota Statutes 120A.24, reporting

The first report is due by October 1 of the first school year the child is taught after turning seven.

“by October 1 of the first school year the child receives instruction after reaching the age of seven” Minnesota Statutes 120A.24, reporting

If a parent withdraws a child over seven from public school to teach in a nonaccredited setting, the report is due within 15 days.

“within 15 days of when a parent withdraws a child from public school after age seven to provide instruction in a nonpublic school that is not accredited by a state-recognized accredited agency” Minnesota Statutes 120A.24, reporting

Each later year, by October 1, the instructor files a letter of intent to continue, with any changes.

“must submit, by October 1 of each school year, a letter of intent to continue to provide instruction under this section” Minnesota Statutes 120A.24, reporting
What and how long to teach: Required subjects include reading and writing, literature and fine arts, and math and science.

“Instruction must be provided in at least the following subject areas: (1) basic communication skills including reading and writing, literature, and fine arts; (2) mathematics and science” Minnesota Statutes 120A.22, compulsory instruction

Also social studies (history, geography, economics, government and citizenship) and health and physical education.

“(3) social studies including history, geography, economics, government, and citizenship; and (4) health and physical education” Minnesota Statutes 120A.22, compulsory instruction

Instruction, textbooks and materials must be in English.

“Instruction, textbooks, and materials must be in the English language.” Minnesota Statutes 120A.22, compulsory instruction
Testing or evaluation: Each year, children ages 7 through 16 who are not enrolled in public school must take a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement test.

“must be assessed using a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement examination” Minnesota Statutes 120A.22, compulsory instruction

The superintendent and the person in charge of instruction agree on the test and where and how it is given.

“The superintendent of the district in which the child receives instruction and the person in charge of the child's instruction must agree about the specific examination to be used and the administration and location of the examination.” Minnesota Statutes 120A.22, compulsory instruction

If results are at or below the 30th percentile or one grade level behind, the parent must get an additional evaluation to see whether the child has learning problems.

“indicate that the child's performance on the total battery score is at or below the 30th percentile or one grade level below the performance level for children of the same age, the parent must obtain additional evaluation” Minnesota Statutes 120A.22, compulsory instruction
Records to keep: The instructor keeps documentation, including class schedules, copies of instructional materials and descriptions of how achievement is assessed.

“This documentation must include class schedules, copies of materials used for instruction, and descriptions of methods used to assess student achievement.” Minnesota Statutes 120A.24, reporting
Who may teach: An instructor can qualify by holding a Minnesota teaching license for the field and grade, or by being directly supervised by a licensed teacher.

“(1) hold a valid Minnesota teaching license in the field and for the grade level taught; (2) be directly supervised by a person holding a valid Minnesota teaching license” Minnesota Statutes 120A.22, compulsory instruction

Other options: hold a bachelor's degree, or be the parent of a child who is tested under the law's annual testing rules.

“(4) hold a baccalaureate degree; or (5) be the parent of a child who is assessed according to the procedures in subdivision 11” Minnesota Statutes 120A.22, compulsory instruction
Ages the law covers: Every child between 7 and 17 must receive instruction unless the child has graduated.

“Every child between seven and 17 years of age must receive instruction unless the child has graduated.” Minnesota Statutes 120A.22, compulsory instruction

State money for homeschoolers in Minnesota

Minnesota K-12 Education Subtraction and Credit (state income tax)

Families who home school may qualify for the K-12 Education Subtraction and Credit. (Minnesota Department of Revenue, Home School Expenses)

The child must attend kindergarten to 12th grade at a public, private or qualified home school. (Minnesota Department of Revenue, K-12 Education Subtraction and Credit)

Home schooling expenses may qualify if they are for supplies and materials for subjects taught during the normal public school day. (Minnesota Department of Revenue, Qualifying Expenses)

The subtraction has no income limit and no filing status requirement. (Minnesota Department of Revenue, K-12 Education Subtraction and Credit)

School choice in Minnesota Private schools in Minnesota

Which states pay homeschoolers, and how: Minnesota next to every other state.

Questions parents ask

Do I have to tell anyone I am homeschooling in Minnesota?

The person in charge of instruction reports to the local superintendent the child's name, birth date and address, the annual tests to be used, each instructor's name, and evidence the instructor meets one of the law's qualifications. The first report is due by October 1 of the first school year the child is taught after turning seven. If a parent withdraws a child over seven from public school to teach in a nonaccredited setting, the report is due within 15 days. Each later year, by October 1, the instructor files a letter of intent to continue, with any changes.

Do homeschoolers in Minnesota have to take tests?

Each year, children ages 7 through 16 who are not enrolled in public school must take a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement test. The superintendent and the person in charge of instruction agree on the test and where and how it is given. If results are at or below the 30th percentile or one grade level behind, the parent must get an additional evaluation to see whether the child has learning problems.

Can a homeschooler in Minnesota get state money?

Minnesota K-12 Education Subtraction and Credit (state income tax): Families who home school may qualify for the K-12 Education Subtraction and Credit. The child must attend kindergarten to 12th grade at a public, private or qualified home school. Home schooling expenses may qualify if they are for supplies and materials for subjects taught during the normal public school day. The subtraction has no income limit and no filing status requirement.

Every line above is our plain-English summary of the quoted text, which is copied from the official page named beside it. Laws change: the quoted page is the authority, and a lawyer or the state can answer questions about your family.

Homeschooling in Minnesota: what the law requires and who pays

What Minnesota’s law requires

State money for homeschoolers in Minnesota

Minnesota K-12 Education Subtraction and Credit (state income tax)

Questions parents ask

Homeschool law in other states