How to withdraw your child from public school and homeschool in Minnesota

Step by step

1. Step 1. Know what Minnesota requires to start

   A parent must report to the superintendent of the resident district under Minn. Stat. 120A.24; this is notice to the district, not an approval, and the state Initial Registration Form is optional because the same information may be reported another way. The report must include the child's name, birth date and address, each instructor's name with evidence of the qualifications in 120A.22 subd. 10, the annual tests to be used, and the immunization statements required by 121A.15 subd. 8. Sections 120A.22 and 120A.24 were amended in 2025 (1st Special Session), which is a change since 2023.

2. Step 2. Leave the school the right way

   The statute makes withdrawing a child from public school to homeschool a trigger for the report, so the report itself is the required notice to the district. The statute and Department Q&A do not mention a separate district withdrawal form or exit meeting; it is common courtesy to also inform the school in writing.

3. Step 3. Watch the deadlines

   Report within 15 days of withdrawing a child from public school to homeschool, or by October 1 of the first school year after the child turns 7. After the first year, a Letter of Intent to Continue to Provide Instruction is due each year by October 1, and a report is also due within 15 days of moving out of a district.

4. Step 4. Ask for your child’s records

   Minn. Stat. 120A.22 subd. 7 provides for transfer of a student's records between schools within 10 business days. Under federal FERPA (34 CFR 99.10) a parent has the right to inspect and review the child's education records, and the school must respond within 45 days of a request.

5. Step 5. If your child has an IEP or a 504 plan

   Minnesota law requires the district to allow a home-schooled student to receive the special education services the student is eligible for, as the Department's Q&A and 120A.22 describe. Under 34 CFR 300.300(b)(4) a parent can revoke consent for special education services in writing, after which the school must give prior written notice and may not continue the services.

Before you pull your child out

A letter you can fill in

Fill in the boxes and copy the letter. It is built from what we found above for Minnesota: the items Minnesota asks to be included are listed in it. Check it against the state office before you send it.

[today's date]

To: The superintendent of the school district where I live [name and address]

Re: Notice of intent to home school, [child's full name]

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am the parent of [child's full name], born [date of birth], who is currently enrolled in grade [grade] at [name of current school]. Under Minn. Stat. 120A.22 and 120A.24, I am notifying you that I will be providing a home education program for my child beginning [start date].

Minnesota asks that this notice include the following (complete or confirm each one):
- Child's name, birth date and address [fill in]
- Name of each instructor [fill in]
- Evidence each instructor meets Minn. Stat. 120A.22 subd. 10 [fill in]
- Annual tests the home school intends to use [fill in]
- Immunization statements required by Minn. Stat. 121A.15 subd. 8 [fill in]

Please also treat this letter as my notice that my child is withdrawn from [name of current school] effective [start date].

I also request a copy of my child's education records, including the cumulative file, attendance and any testing records. Please send them to the address below.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

[your name]
[your address]

Who to ask in Minnesota

Minnesota Department of Education, Nonpublic and Home Schools Q&A (updated 05/22/2026), last checked October 2026.

A plain-language summary of public sources, not legal advice. Laws and forms change, so confirm the current rules with the state office before you send anything.

Questions