Minnesota Homeschool Laws: Requirements, Testing, and Compulsory Age

Minnesota has a specific set of homeschool requirements that sometimes surprise families accustomed to lighter-regulation states. The teacher qualification rule in particular catches people off guard. Here's what Minnesota law actually requires — and what it doesn't.

Compulsory Education Age

Minnesota's compulsory education law applies to children ages 7 through 17. Children who turn 7 must be enrolled in some form of approved instruction by that birthday. Children can be withdrawn from formal requirements when they turn 18 or graduate.

Homeschooling is explicitly permitted under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 120A.22 as a form of "other forms of instruction."

Notification and Annual Reporting

Minnesota requires parents to submit a Statement of Assurance (SOA) to the local school district each year. The SOA must be filed by October 1 (or within 60 days of beginning to homeschool).

The SOA confirms: - The subjects to be covered - The parent or instructor's qualifications - Curriculum materials to be used - Assessment method for the year

The statement goes to the district, not to a state agency. Most districts accept a standard form available through their website or from the Minnesota Department of Education.

The Teacher Qualification Rule

This is the requirement that surprises many families. Minnesota Statutes § 120A.22, Subd. 10 requires that the instructor either:

1. Hold a valid teaching license in the subject areas taught, OR
2. Be supervised by a licensed teacher (at least once a week)

If neither parent holds a teaching license, they must arrange for a licensed teacher to supervise the homeschool — visiting at least once per week, reviewing work, and being available for consultation.

In practice, many Minnesota homeschool families use Christian or homeschool co-ops that have a licensed teacher on staff who provides the required supervision. Others hire a licensed teacher for the minimum required supervision. Some families use umbrella school programs that provide a licensed supervisor as part of their service.

A parent who holds a current teaching license — even in a different grade level — satisfies the requirement for any subject they teach.

Required Subjects

Minnesota law requires that homeschool instruction cover these subjects:

• Basic communication skills (reading, writing, literature, fine arts, and music)
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social studies
• Physical education and health
• World history, geography, and American government

The law does not specify curriculum or hours, but instruction must cover these areas each year.

Annual Standardized Testing

Minnesota requires annual achievement testing for homeschooled students, administered by a qualified evaluator (not the parent). The results are kept by the parent and do not need to be submitted to the district — but they must be retained in case of review.

Testing must use a nationally standardized test. The Iowa Test of Basic Skills, Stanford Achievement Test, and Terra Nova are all used by Minnesota homeschool families. Results inform parents about whether their children are progressing appropriately; the state does not set minimum score thresholds.

Some Minnesota homeschool families opt for a portfolio review by a licensed teacher as an alternative assessment method. The licensed supervisor reviewing the student's work at least once per week can serve this dual purpose.

What the District Cannot Require

Under current Minnesota law, the school district cannot:

• Enter the home to inspect the homeschool
• Approve the curriculum before use
• Set specific grade requirements or test score minimums
• Require students to take district-administered tests
• Require more documentation than the annual SOA

Homeschool Organizations in Minnesota

The major support organization for Minnesota homeschoolers is the Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators (MACHE), which hosts an annual convention and provides resources for families navigating state law. For secular families, Homeschoolers of Minnesota (HEM) offers support and advocacy.

Washington Homeschool Organization (in Washington State) is different — don't confuse the two when searching for Minnesota resources.

College Preparation from Minnesota

Minnesota's testing requirement means homeschool families already have standardized assessment records — a built-in asset for college applications. These test results, combined with a professional transcript and ACT/SAT scores, form the evidence package that college admissions offices need.

For high school students preparing for college applications, the supervision requirement also creates an opportunity: building a relationship with a licensed educator who can write a teacher recommendation letter is exactly the kind of outside credential validation that makes homeschool college applications stronger. The US University Admissions Framework covers how to turn the documentation you're already building into a competitive admissions file.

Minnesota Homeschool Support Organizations

The Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators (MACHE) is the largest Christian homeschool organization in the state, hosting an annual convention in the Twin Cities area and providing legal guidance and curriculum resources.

For secular families, the Minnesota Homeschoolers' Alliance offers a non-religious support network. Regional co-ops operate in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Rochester, Duluth, and St. Cloud.

Dual Enrollment at Minnesota Colleges

Minnesota's Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program allows high school students — including homeschoolers — to take college courses tuition-free at Minnesota colleges and universities. This is one of the most generous dual enrollment programs in the country: the state pays the tuition directly to the college, the student pays nothing, and the credits are fully transferable.

Homeschoolers can participate in PSEO starting at grade 10 (in some cases grade 11 depending on the college). Requirements include a minimum GPA and placement test scores, and the student must be eligible for 10th, 11th, or 12th grade.

PSEO is particularly valuable in the context of Minnesota's supervised instruction requirement. A licensed instructor at a community college or university who works with your student through PSEO can serve as both the required supervisor AND a potential recommendation letter writer — addressing two college admissions needs at once.

High School and College Admissions from Minnesota

The University of Minnesota system (Twin Cities, Duluth, Morris) and Minnesota's private colleges (Carleton, St. Olaf, Macalester, and others) all have experience admitting homeschool graduates. The combination of Minnesota's required testing, PSEO college transcripts, and a professional homeschool transcript gives Minnesota homeschoolers a documentation package that holds up well in competitive admissions contexts.