Compulsory Attendance

Your child’s age is your first indicator of his or her eligibility for beginning school. Parents can enroll their students start kindergarten when they are six. They are required to be enrolled in school by seven years old.  see more >

Required Documentation

North Dakota school districts set the requirements for what documentation is required prior to enrolling a student in their district. To get that information, contact the district directly.  

Some legal documents are required for North Dakota students to attend school:

• Certified Birth Certificate/proof of identity
• Official copy of records/transcripts from the previous school the child most recently attended
• A shot immunization record (or proof that immunization is not required for the child)
• Click here to view the immunization requirements.
• Proof of home address (for example, a rental agreement or tax statement)

What makes a school “private”?

Private schools charge tuition, and many have a religious mission. Some private schools offer families assistance to make tuition payments. Click below for the complete list of over 50 private schools across the state.

George Washington University Online High School is an online college preparatory academy for motivated students who are willing to be challenged to become the best students and persons they can be. Combining award-winning curriculum with small class sizes and intensive college counseling, students receive a flexible, individualized education attuned to their own needs and goals.

International Academy is a K12, Inc accredited, online private school for grades K–12. Students earn a U.S. high school diploma while using award-winning K¹² curriculum

They offer extensive, individualized academic and counseling support keep students on track. The flexibility allows students to explore their passions. Full-time and part-time options are available.

Your options

In North Dakota, you may teach your children at home by following the “home education” law. Or, if you are a state-certified teacher, you may homeschool under the “private school” option. Choose the option under which you want to homeschool, and then follow the steps listed below it:

As a home education option:

• Ensure that you have the required teacher qualifications:
  • You must be a parent of the child you are homeschooling, and you must have a high school diploma or a GED to supervise the child’s home education unless you are monitored by a North Dakota certified teacher.
• File a yearly statement of intent. It must contain the following:
  • the name and address of your child;
  • your child’s date of birth;
  • your child’s grade level;
  • the name and address of the parent who will supervise the home education;
  • the qualifications of the parent who will supervise the home education;
  • any public school courses in which your child intends to participate;
  • any extracurricular activities in which your child intends to participate and the school district or approved nonpublic school offering the activities;
  • a copy of your child’s immunization record (you may use the North Dakota Department of Health’s certificate of immunization form if you wish); and
  • proof of your child’s identity (“proof of identity” means a certified copy of a birth certificate, a certified transcript, or similar student records from your child’s previous school, or any other documentary evidence the superintendent considers appropriate proof of identity).
• Provide the required days and hours of instruction: 4 hours/school day and 177 days/school year
• Teach the required subjects
  • English language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, physical education, health
• Keep school records
• Have your child tested
• Visit the Home School Legal Defense Alliance Page for more info on high school requirements and extra help for students with developmental disabilities.