Your child must attend school between the ages of 7 and 16 years. This requirement does not apply after your child has completed high school.

Your child may also be excused from attending school if a multidisciplinary team that includes your child’s parent, school district superintendent, classroom teacher, physician, and the director of your child’s special education unit determines that your child has a disability that renders attendance or participation in a regular or special education program “inexpedient or impracticable.”

HSLDA believes that a parent-issued diploma and transcript should be sufficient to demonstrate that a child has completed a secondary education. However, even if your child is beyond compulsory school attendance age, there may be situations where you would want to continue to follow the requirements of a home education option recognized under North Dakota law until your child graduates from high school (filing a home education notice, keeping attendance and other records, etc.).

These records may be requested in some situations, such as obtaining a driver's license if your child is a minor, enlisting in the military, applying to colleges, or demonstrating eligibility for Social Security benefits. If you are a member of HSLDA and would like additional details, please contact us.