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Minnesota Homeschool Requirements Detailed regulation
What Minnesota requires from homeschool families — notification, subjects, hours, testing, and portfolio rules — with links to the current law. This is the same state data FolioKid uses to build your portfolio template.
- Governing law: Minn. Stat. § 120A.22
- Required subjects: Basic Communication Skills (Reading, Writing, Literature, Fine Arts), Mathematics & Science, Social Studies (History, Geography, Economics, Government, Citizenship), Health & Physical Education (elementary grades; some states vary by grade)
- Testing: annual assessment required
File a letter of intent with the local district superintendent by October 1. An annual nationally norm-referenced standardized test is required for every homeschooled child — only instruction through an accredited school or program is exempt (Minn. Stat. § 120A.22 subd. 11(d)); a teaching license does not waive the test. Scores at or below the 30th percentile trigger an additional evaluation. Results are kept at home, not submitted.
Records you must keep in Minnesota
Minnesota families file a letter of intent, cover four required subject areas, and test annually — results stay at home, so the recordkeeping is on you. Keep the following:
- A copy of your letter of intent filed with the district superintendent (a shorter "letter of intent to continue" in later years)
- Work samples across the four required subject areas (communication skills and fine arts; math and science; social studies; health and physical education)
- Your child's annual nationally norm-referenced test results (kept at home, not submitted)
- Documentation of any additional evaluation triggered by a score at or below the 30th percentile
- A record of instruction and the materials you used through the year
Your Minnesota filing timeline
- By October 1 (each year)File your letter of intent — or a letter of intent to continue — with your local district superintendent.
- All year longKeep work samples across the four required subject areas and a record of instruction.
- Once each yearAdminister an approved nationally norm-referenced standardized test and keep the results at home.
- If at or below the 30th percentileComplete the additional evaluation the statute calls for and keep that documentation.
How FolioKid helps with Minnesota's requirements
You do the teaching; FolioKid keeps the records Minnesota asks you to hold onto:
- Snap photos of work as it happens — FolioKid tags each entry by subject against Minnesota's four required subject areas.
- Log instructional time as you go — track attendance and instruction even though Minnesota sets no fixed hour count.
- Enter your annual standardized test scores and keep them organized at home, with a flag if a result lands at or below the 30th percentile.
- Export a Minnesota-formatted portfolio PDF — or send a reviewer a read-only share link (no account needed, expires in 30 days).
Free: the Minnesota Homeschool Records Checklist
A one-page printable PDF — exactly what to keep, your filing deadlines, and a blank hours log. We'll email it to you.
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Official Minnesota sources
- 📜 Minn. Stat. § 120A.22 — the statute itself
- 🏛️ Minnesota Dept. of Education — Nonpublic/Home Schools
- 🔎 HSLDA — Minnesota homeschool law summary
Minnesota homeschool FAQ
What law governs homeschooling in Minnesota?
Homeschooling in Minnesota is governed by Minn. Stat. § 120A.22. File a letter of intent with the local district superintendent by October 1. An annual nationally norm-referenced standardized test is required for every homeschooled child — only instruction through an accredited school or program is exempt (Minn. Stat. § 120A.22 subd. 11(d)); a teaching license does not waive the test. Scores at or below the 30th percentile trigger an additional evaluation. Results are kept at home, not submitted. Always verify current requirements with your state department of education.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Minnesota?
Minnesota requires: Basic Communication Skills (Reading, Writing, Literature, Fine Arts), Mathematics & Science, Social Studies (History, Geography, Economics, Government, Citizenship), Health & Physical Education (elementary grades; some states vary by grade).
Does Minnesota require testing or a portfolio evaluation?
Yes — Minnesota requires standardized testing (annual assessment required).
Keeping records for Minnesota? Snap photos of your kids' work and FolioKid organizes them into a year-end portfolio PDF — formatted around Minnesota's requirements.
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