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North Dakota splits homeschool oversight by parent qualification: parents with a high school diploma or GED use the Independent Homeschool pathway, while those without use Monitored Homeschool, which requires certified-teacher oversight for the first two years.
North Dakota Homeschool Requirements (2026)
📋 What North Dakota Does NOT Require
- Under Independent Homeschool: no certified teacher monitoring required
- Testing opt-out available for philosophical/religious reasons, or if you hold a teaching certification or bachelor's degree
- No curriculum pre-approval beyond the subjects declared in your notification
📚 What North Dakota DOES Require
- File written notification with your local superintendent at least 14 days before starting, including your child's name, age, and planned subjects — required annually
- Determine your pathway: Independent (diploma/GED holders) or Monitored (certified teacher oversight for first two years, with twice-yearly progress reports)
- Test in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10 using nationally-normed achievement tests, unless you qualify for an opt-out
- Track attendance (175 days minimum, 4 hours daily) and maintain curriculum documentation
📚 Required Subjects in North Dakota
- Subjects declared in your annual written notification to the superintendent — no separate fixed statewide checklist beyond your declaration
North Dakota requires you to specify the subjects you plan to teach directly in your notification filing, rather than publishing one universal required list.
📁 Record-Keeping in North Dakota
- Keep your annual written notification on file, since it must be refiled each year at least 14 days before starting
- If on the Monitored pathway, retain the twice-yearly progress reports submitted by your supervising certified teacher
- Keep results from testing years (grades 4, 6, 8, 10), or documentation of your qualifying opt-out
- Track attendance carefully to confirm the 175-day, 4-hour-daily minimum
⚠️ Always verify current requirements with your state department of education or the Home School Legal Defense Association (hslda.org). Laws can change and this page is for general reference only.
Getting Started / Withdrawing from Public School in North Dakota
File written notification with your local school district superintendent at least 14 days before beginning instruction, including your child's name, age, and the subjects you plan to teach — this must be refiled annually. Determine which pathway applies to you: Independent Homeschool if you hold a high school diploma or GED, or Monitored Homeschool (with certified-teacher oversight for the first two years) if you don't. When filing, you can also elect to opt out of the grades 4/6/8/10 testing requirement for philosophical, religious reasons, or if you hold a teaching certification or bachelor's degree.
How Lumi Helps North Dakota Homeschool Families
Lumi handles curriculum planning, grading, and progress tracking automatically, so North Dakota families can focus on their kids instead of paperwork — while staying comfortably aligned with state requirements.
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Covers Required Subjects
Lumi covers the core subjects North Dakota expects, plus additional subjects including Coding, Art, Music, and more — all in one flat-price app.
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Attendance Tracker
Built-in attendance logging helps you document instructional time and subject coverage automatically, useful for meeting record-keeping expectations.
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Printable Report Cards
Generate formal report cards automatically — useful for evaluations, re-enrollment in public school, or any situation requiring proof of academic progress.
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Printable Workbooks
Six standards-aligned workbooks covering every grade level — great for portfolio documentation and supplemental practice.
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Flat Family Price
$39.99/month covers up to 8 kids — no per-child fees as your family grows.
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Voice-Guided Lessons
Every lesson is narrated aloud by Lumi, so kids can work independently while parents focus on the bigger picture.
North Dakota Homeschool Resources
- North Dakota Department of Public Instruction — Home Education — nd.gov/dpi/familiescommunity/families/home-education — Official state guidance on both pathways and notification requirements.
- North Dakota Homeschool Association (NDHSA) — ndhsa.org/standardized-testing — Statewide advocacy organization with specific testing guidance.
- Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) — hslda.org — National legal advocacy with North Dakota-specific compliance guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions — Homeschooling in North Dakota
What's the difference between Independent and Monitored Homeschool in North Dakota?
Independent Homeschool is for parents with a high school diploma or GED, with no certified-teacher oversight. Monitored Homeschool is for parents without a diploma/GED, requiring a certified teacher to monitor and submit twice-yearly progress reports for the first two years.
Which grades require testing in North Dakota?
Grades 4, 6, 8, and 10, using nationally-normed achievement tests — unless you qualify for a philosophical, religious, or credential-based opt-out.
Can I switch from Monitored to Independent status?
Yes — after two years of successful monitoring, with test scores at or above the 50th percentile nationally, you may transition to independent status.
How many instructional days does North Dakota require?
175 days minimum, at least 4 hours daily.
What is the best homeschool curriculum app for North Dakota families?
Lumi Academy's structured, standards-aligned Pre-K through 8th grade curriculum helps build strong test readiness ahead of North Dakota's grade 4/6/8/10 testing checkpoints, under either the Independent or Monitored pathway.
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