If your child turns 7 on or before October 1st of the school year, use the initial report to homeschool form to notify your school district of your intent to homeschool. Complete the entire form and send to your superintendent - Initial Report to the Superintendent. Keep a copy of the form for your records. Your completed form has to arrive at the school district office no later than October 1st. You will also need to provide your child’s immunization records (you can get copies of these from your physician's office or on-line portal) or submit a notarized letter of exemption.

You must also provide the annual test you will use, the tester, and where the testing will take place. Follow the link for more information: Testing Resources.

When removing a child age 7 to 17 from public school, follow MN Statute 120A.24. Subdivision 1(a) requires that the person in charge of teaching a student (usually the parent) must submit certain information to the superintendent of the school district within 15 days of withdrawal. The required information is the same as required for the initial intent to homeschool. Click here for Initial Report to the Superintendent. Complete the entire form and submit to the superintendent. We recommend sending by certified mail to ensure it has been received. Other people submit the form personally. Because so many school districts are large, make sure you get the documentation that the report was submitted within the 15 day withdrawal window. If a child is absent from school more than 7 days and the district has not been notified, your child may be considered truant, causing additional confusion. Then, by October 1st of the next school year, submit a Letter of Intent to Continue Homeschooling to the superintendent and each year after that until each student reaches 16 years of age. Click here for the Letter of Intent to Continue.

Again, remember you are legally required to list the annual test you will use, the tester, and where the testing will take place. Follow the link for more information: Testing Resources.

There are a few special circumstances where the process is different.  Removing a child under 7 years of age from public school can only be done for good cause.  Good cause includes enrolling the child in another school option, including a homeschool. Parents will have to notify the superintendent that they are removing the child for good cause (homeschooling).  Then the child will not be subject to the compulsory education reporting until the child is 7 years of age. If removing a child from public school after he/she turns 17 years of age, the parents must attend a meeting with school personnel to discuss educational opportunities available to the student and must sign a written election to withdraw from school. The parents will have to submit a Letter of Intent to Continue if the child is still 17 on the following October 1^st.

If this is your first year homeschooling and you are withdrawing your children from the public school at the beginning of the school year, we advise you to file your Initial Report to the Superintendent  form early. For subsequent years your letter Letter of Intent to Continue form can be sent in by October 1^st. If a child is absent from school more than 7 days and the district has not been notified, your child may be considered truant, causing unnecessary confusion.

Remember, on all reporting forms, you are legally required to to list the annual test you will use, the tester, and where the testing will take place. Follow the link for more information: Testing Resources.

If you have any further questions, email HowtoBegin@mache.org.