Is homeschooling legal in Minnesota?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Minnesota under Minnesota Statute 120A.22. Parents may educate their children at home as a legal alternative to public or private school.

What subjects are required for homeschool in Minnesota?

Minnesota requires instruction in reading, writing, literature, fine arts, math, science, history, geography, government, health, and physical education.

Do Minnesota homeschool parents need teaching credentials?

Parents without a teaching license must have their child tested annually in grades 3–8 and 10, or must work with a licensed teacher who evaluates the child's progress at least once per year.

Does Minnesota require annual testing for homeschooled students?

Annual testing or teacher evaluation is required if the parent does not hold a teaching license. Testing is required in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10 using a nationally normed standardized test.

Homeschool in Minnesota (MN) — Laws, Requirements & Curriculum

Minnesota Homeschool Requirements at a Glance

Compulsory age — children ages 7 through 17 must receive instruction (or until high school graduation).
No annual filing required — unlike New York, Minnesota does NOT require you to submit an IHIP or notify your district each year (beyond a one-time withdrawal if your child was enrolled in public school).
Required subjects — instruction must be provided in a specific list of core subjects (see below).
Instructor qualification — a parent without a teaching license must either: (a) have their child tested annually, OR (b) work with a licensed teacher who evaluates the child at least once per year.
Annual testing — required in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10 for non-licensed parents who choose the testing route. A nationally normed standardized test must be used.
No approval required — the state does not pre-approve homeschool plans or require a curriculum to be submitted.
Minimum hours — Minnesota does not specify a minimum number of instructional hours per day or year.

Required Subjects in Minnesota

Under Minnesota Statute 120A.22, instruction must be provided in the following subjects:

Reading
Writing
Literature and fine arts
Mathematics
Science
History
Geography
Government (civics)
Health and physical education

There is no prescribed sequence, textbook, or methodology — you have full freedom in how you teach these subjects, as long as instruction is taking place.

Testing and Evaluation Options

If you are a parent without a Minnesota teaching license (most homeschool parents), you must choose ONE of these two compliance paths:

Option 1: Annual Standardized Testing

Administer a nationally normed standardized test in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10. Popular choices include the Iowa Assessments, Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10), and California Achievement Tests (CAT). Results must be kept on file but do not need to be submitted to the school district.

Option 2: Annual Teacher Evaluation

Have your child evaluated at least once per year by a Minnesota-licensed teacher. The teacher reviews your child's work and provides a written assessment. Many homeschool co-ops and private schools offer this service for a small fee.

How Lumi Academy Supports MN Homeschoolers

Lumi Academy covers all the subjects required under Minnesota Statute 120A.22 — Math, Reading/Writing/Literature, Science, History, Geography, and Government/Civics — with hundreds of voice-guided lessons at every grade K–8.

Minnesota's flexible homeschool law is a great fit for Lumi because you're free to use whatever curriculum works best for your family. Many Minnesota homeschoolers use Lumi as their primary digital curriculum — it covers four core required subjects in one voice-guided, ad-free platform.

If you choose the standardized testing route, Lumi's comprehensive, standards-aligned curriculum means your child will be well-prepared for grade-level assessments — they've been learning the actual content all year.

Try Lumi Free for 48 Hours →

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to notify my school district to homeschool in Minnesota?

Not annually. If your child was previously enrolled in public school, you'll need to formally withdraw them. Beyond that, Minnesota does not require annual notification, registration, or IHIP filing — a significant advantage over states like New York.

What test should I use for annual assessments?

Minnesota does not specify a particular test — any nationally normed standardized test is acceptable. The most commonly used are the Iowa Assessments (formerly ITBS), the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10), and the CAT (California Achievement Tests). Many can be administered at home by a parent or at a local testing center.

What if my test scores are low?

Minnesota does not set a minimum passing score, and test results do not need to be submitted to any government agency. You keep the results on file. Low scores are a signal to adjust your curriculum and teaching approach, not a legal issue.

Can I homeschool a child with an IEP in Minnesota?

Yes — families with special needs children can homeschool in Minnesota. However, once you withdraw from public school, your child is no longer entitled to public school services under the IEP. Some families negotiate a services agreement with the district (called a "cooperative services agreement") to retain access to certain supports. Consult a homeschool advocacy organization for guidance specific to your situation.

Is Minnesota a good state to homeschool in?

Yes — Minnesota is considered a moderate-regulation state with a large and active homeschool community. No annual filing, no curriculum approval, and full freedom of method make it very manageable. The testing requirement is the main compliance item to track, and it's straightforward once you choose your approach.

Homeschooling in Minnesota