How to Start Homeschooling in Minnesota

Required hours

No state minimum

Required subjects

13 subjects

Notice

Required each year

Testing / evaluation

Standardized testing

Recordkeeping

Required

Jump to the full Minnesota requirements for plain-English detail on each of these.

Step by step

1. 1

   Understand Minnesota's homeschool law

   Minnesota has light but formal homeschool requirements with no mandated hour or day minimums, and you'll file notice with your local school district.

2. 2

   Withdraw from public school (if enrolled)

   To withdraw your child from public school in Minnesota, send a written withdrawal letter to the principal or registrar, then file a notice of intent with your local school district so the transition is on record before instruction begins. Rather than hand-writing the withdrawal letter, Homeschool Fox produces a pre-formatted PDF ready to send to the district.

3. 3

   File your notice of intent

   Yes, Minnesota requires you to file notice of your intent to homeschool. You must notify your local school district. The notice is filed again each school year.

4. 4

   Plan your subjects

   Minnesota requires instruction in reading, writing, literature, fine arts, math, science, history, geography, economics, government, citizenship, health, and physical education. Beyond these requirements, you have flexibility to add subjects that interest your family.

5. 5

   Set your hours or days target

   Minnesota does not mandate a specific number of instructional hours. Families have flexibility in determining their own schedule and pace of learning.

6. 6

   Plan for assessment and records

   Minnesota requires an annual nationally norm-referenced achievement test, with the specific test agreed on between you and the superintendent. Results stay with the family — they aren't submitted to the district.

7. 7

   Track your hours and keep records

   Log activities as they happen so hours, attendance, and subject coverage build up automatically. Homeschool Fox lets you log from your phone or by voice and generates a Minnesota-specific compliance report when you need it.

Free Minnesota printables

Three ready-to-use PDFs for Minnesota homeschoolers. No account needed.

Templates, not legal advice. Confirm the current rule with your state or district.

Free tool

Calculate your homeschool pace

Minnesota doesn't set a minimum. If you want a personal target, 900 hours/year is a common one. Enter your end date to see the pace.

What Homeschool Fox tracks for Minnesota

The records Minnesota asks you to keep, plus the rest of your year, in one place. No spreadsheets, no lost notebooks.

• Required subjects
• The records Minnesota asks you to keep
• Standardized testing
• Daily activity logs
• Printable PDF reports
• Progress tracking
• High school transcripts

More Minnesota guides

• Minnesota Homeschool Requirements Hours, notice, assessment, and subjects at a glance.
• Homeschooling High School in Minnesota Credits, GPA, transcripts, and graduation.
• Record Keeping in Minnesota What to document, how to organize it, and staying compliant.
• How to Withdraw From School in Minnesota The steps, the letter, and timing to avoid truancy issues.
• Moving to Minnesota What to file when you arrive and whether your records transfer.
• Public School Sports in Minnesota Whether homeschoolers can play, what it takes, and who to ask.
• Required Subjects in Minnesota The list, how much time each needs, and proving you taught them.
• Minnesota Letter of Intent Who to file with, when it's due, and a free generator.
• Homeschool Testing in Minnesota What the state asks for, when, and low-score rules.