Alabama home school

Guide to Homeschooling in North Dakota

Choosing to home educate your child is a big decision. If you are thinking about homeschooling in North Dakota, there are certain things to consider before making the switch. Power Homeschool’s Guide to Homeschooling in North Dakota highlights the requirements, necessary record-keeping, support groups, and more!

Homeschool Laws and Requirements in North Dakota

Each state has different rules regarding a parent’s ability to homeschool their children and all the laws that they must follow.

Read More >

Homeschool Groups and Support in North Dakota

Some of the best resources to help homeschool families be successful are homeschool associations, support groups, and co-ops.  

Read More >

How to Start Homeschooling in North Dakota

If you have decided that homeschool is a good fit for your family, you are probably wondering how to get started with the whole process.  

Read More >

Field Trips Available to Homeschoolers in North Dakota

The flexibility to go on more field trips is one of the many perks of homeschooling.  

Find out what North Dakota has to offer!

Read More >

Resources

North Dakota Homeschool Laws and Requirements

North Dakota has two different options to legally homeschool, and based on which option a parent chooses, their requirements will be slightly different. Parents can either homeschool under the home education law or as a private school. Under each law, parents will need to meet certain qualifications and file a notice of intent to homeschool. Homeschoolers must also abide by requirements of subjects covered and minimum days / hours of instruction.

For more information about home education in North Dakota, the Home School Legal Defense Association and North Dakota Department of Public Instruction both provide detailed instructions for legally homeschooling.

Detailed-Reports-for-Parents

RECORD KEEPING

North Dakota requires homeschoolers to maintain education records. These records should include the student’s courses and academic progress assessments, standardized testing results, and any other record pertaining to the child’s education. Keeping thorough records will also be beneficial in the event the student transfers to a public or private school as well as when they apply to college.

Power Homeschool’s online program makes it easy for parents to maintain these records. Transcripts, attendance records, and progress reports are generated automatically. Samples of course materials and student work can also be downloaded to keep on file.

Exam

HOMESCHOOL STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS IN NORTH DAKOTA

North Dakota’s homeschool laws mandate that homeschool students participate in standardized assessments in 4th, 6th, 8th, and 10th grade. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as religious exemptions or that the parent is a certified North Dakota teacher. However, standardized assessments can be effective ways to track a student’s progress and ensure there are no gaps in their curriculum. North Dakota State Assessments (NDSA) measure performance in English language literacy, mathematics, and science. High school students should also plan to take the ACT or SAT if they plan to attend college after graduation.

Exam

HOMESCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS IN NORTH DAKOTA

Unlike most other states, North Dakota issues high school diplomas to homeschooled students. These diplomas are issued by the school district where the student resides, an approved non-public high school, or the center for distance education. For homeschool students to earn a diploma, parents must submit a transcript of performance, description of course materials covered in high school, how course objectives were met, and any other documents that prove the student completed the high school graduation requirements. The high school diploma may indicate that the child was homeschooled, as well. Full details of graduation requirements and homeschooling guidelines can be found here.

Resources

Homeschool Support & Groups in North Dakota

When starting to homeschool for the first time, it is beneficial for families to get involved in their local homeschool communities. North Dakota homeschoolers can connect in a number of ways.

First, the statewide homeschool association, North Dakota Homeschool Association, hosts special events throughout the year. The association provides resources, tools, newsletters, and other perks for those who become members. Additionally, if parents have any legal questions, the North Dakota Homeschool Association would be a useful resource.

In addition to the homeschool association, families can join homeschool support groups and co-ops. Homeschool support groups allow parents to give and receive advice while giving students the chance to meet peers and make friends. Many of the groups host events, go on field trips, and partake in other enrichment activities together. Homeschool co-ops are similar to support groups, but they are more academic-focused, allowing students to learn in group settings. While some homeschool co-ops are general, many of them focus on particular areas of study or are religion-focused. Most homeschool support groups and co-ops have Facebook pages, websites, or other online forums, which makes them easy to find online.

The following are a few examples of the types of support available to homeschoolers in North Dakota:

 

Check out our Power Homeschool Parent Support groups!

How to Start Homeschooling in North Dakota

If you are considering homeschool for your student, you likely have many questions and may even be confused about where to start. For this reason, we created a handy guide to help parents start homeschooling their students. In North Dakota, you will need to start by selecting which homeschooling path you want to take, followed by submitting the proper paperwork.

Next, you must select a homeschool curriculum program that fulfills the state-mandated subject requirements. Power Homeschool’s online curriculum offers courses for K-12 students. In addition to the core subjects, we provide electives, foreign languages, career and technical education, and emotional and social learning.

Resources

Homeschool Field Trips in North Dakota

One of the many benefits of homeschooling is the flexibility and freedom to incorporate more field trips into the curriculum than traditional classroom schedules allow for. 

With national and state parks, museums, zoos, and more, homeschoolers have many options when planning their next field trip in North Dakota.  Here are just of few examples to give you an idea of everything the state has to offer:

 

  • Theodore Roosevelt National Park in Medora: Dedicated to the 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is the perfect destination for homeschoolers to learn about region’s flora and fauna while seeing wildlife species in their natural habitat.
  • Dakota Zoo in Bismarck: Young animal lovers will enjoy exploring this zoo of more than 600 animal species. With various educational events, camps, and live animal displays, the Dakota Zoo offers fun activities for students of all ages.
  • North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum in Bismarck: Homeschoolers from North Dakota can learn about the history of the land dating back to prehistoric times. The four galleries tell the story of North Dakota through artifacts, displays, and exhibits.
  • Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site in Williston: For almost 40 years, Fort Union was a prominent fur trade along the Missouri River. Today, visitors can learn about Native American culture, attend special events and programs, and explore the national historic site.
  • Knife River Indian Villages in Stanton: Once a major Native American trade center, the Knife River Indian Villages pay tribute to the Northern Plains Indians. Visitors can learn about what life was like in the village as well as the rich history and culture of the people.
  • Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Tappen: Home to the largest breeding colony of American White Pelicans, this refuge aims to link visitors to the region’s landscape and natural habitat.
  • National Buffalo Museum in Jamestown: Dedicated to preserving the history of bison, this museum is a great field trip for students to learn about the fascinating animal species. Visitors will also see items from Native American culture that portray their respect for the buffalo.
  • Plains Art Museum in Fargo: Aspiring artists will love exploring the Plains Art Museum. With youth classes, family programs, and guided tours, visitors have plenty of opportunities to learn about types of art from around the world.
Power Homeschool hopes this guide to homeschooling in North Dakota provides you with information and resources to start your homeschool journey. In addition to our online curriculum, we offer our parents and students various tools and resources to get started. For more information about how we can help your family start homeschooling, contact us today!

Disclaimer: The information provided on this web page is for general information purposes only. The information provided does not constitute legal advice and may not contain the most up-to-date information.

Other Articles You May Be Interested In:

5 Ways Homeschooling Can Help Children with Disabilities to Excel

5 Ways Homeschooling Can Help Children with Disabilities to Excel

Children with disabilities might have a hard time in traditional schools. Even with regulations in place to help these children, schools might fail to adequately meet the needs of each individual student; and that doesn’t even take into account social problems that...

5 Reasons Why Homeschooling is Better for Some Children

5 Reasons Why Homeschooling is Better for Some Children

Homeschooling is becoming a popular alternative to traditional schooling. For some families, homeschooling is by far the best way for children to get an education. If you are on the fence about homeschooling your children, we know that the decision can weigh heavily...

Why Homeschooling Is on The Rise

Why Homeschooling Is on The Rise

Since the 1980s, there has been a significant increase in families transitioning from traditional public or private schools to homeschooling. You may be wondering the reason for this trend, but the answer is simple – it works! Homeschooling has changed drastically...