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Home school and nonpublic schools
The home school office is responsible for keeping track of home school registrations, reporting enrollment information to the school district and state as part of compulsory education requirements and reimbursing valid expenses. Home school staff can also connect families to district services if requested and answer common questions from Anoka-Hennepin staff, home and nonpublic school administrators, and state and county authorities.
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The following information is important for you to know, as a home school administrator, in order for your home school to meet all state and district requirements. Please contact the Anoka-Hennepin home school office with additional questions. For more information about getting started, compliance, and resources for home school administrators, please refer to the questions and answers document published by the Minnesota Department of Education.
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Important Information
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Enrollment
Enrollment deadline: Home school enrollment paperwork is due by October 1 each year or within 15 days of withdrawing from the public school.
- If this is your first year homeschooling in Anoka-Hennepin, you will need to submit an Initial Registration Form to our office. For your convenience, you can submit an online Initial Registration Form.
- If this is your second year or beyond homeschooling in Anoka-Hennepin, you will need to submit a Letter of Intent to our office indicating your intent to continue homeschooling and if any changes have been made. (Graduated students, change in test selection, updated immunization records, change of address, etc.). For your convenience, you can submit an online Letter of Intent Form.
Enrollment confirmation: We can email confirmation of receiving your paperwork, if we receive a request and your email address.
Age of compulsory instruction: Students receiving instruction at home that are between the ages of 7 and 17, as of October 1 of the relevant school year, must be enrolled in a home school throughout the district. Additionally, students under age 7 that have been enrolled previously in kindergarten or a higher grade in public school must be enrolled in home school.
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Requirements
Testing: Minnesota state statute requires nonpublic/home school students to take a standardized, nationally normed achievement test each year. The name of that test must be included with new registrations and annual re-enrollment. Note: test scores are not shared with our office or school district, but your records need to include documentation of this testing and should be available on demand if required.
Educational requirements: Home school instructors are required to teach basic communication, mathematics, science, social studies, health, and physical education. For more information on state education standards, please view the K-12 Academic Standards on the Minnesota Department of Education's website. Home and nonpublic schools develop their own curriculum and learning plans.
Record keeping: Home school administrators are responsible to keep all records/transcripts/curriculum information and report cards for student(s).
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Services and Support
Special education: Special education students who are being homeschooled may access special education services offered at their local public school. We encourage you to contact the special education lead at your local public school to request these services.
Shared time: Home school students can access individual classes in the public school through "shared time.” Contact the administration office at the public school to discuss arrangements.
Request for aid: Some supports are available to home school families including services for health, guidance, and textbook aid. For the latter, funds are available to reimburse a set amount per year for valid textbooks, tests, and other qualifying purchases. Aid request forms are due October 1 each year.
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Forms and Guidelines
Minnesota state law requires that home school educators register all compulsory-aged students (ages 7-17 as of October 1) each year. Registration for each school year is due to the school district by October 1; within 15 days of withdrawing from a public school.
- First-time home school families (or after a gap of more than one year from the Anoka-Hennepin School District): New home school families may submit an online home school registration form, or print the PDF version: Initial registration form (PDF template)
- Returning home school families: Returning home school families may submit an online home school intent to continue form, or print the PDF version: Letter of intent (PDF template). Report immunizations if these are not already on file with the school district or your student has reached Grade 7: Student immunization record (PDF)
Home school aid and reimbursement forms
If you plan to request reimbursement of valid expenses (review reimbursement guidelines), a student report for aids form must be submitted each year by October 1: Student report for aids to nonpublic students 2025-26NOTE: The Student Report for Aids form must be submitted to us as a hard copy. You may mail the form or give it to us in-person at the address listed below. For mailing, address to the Home School Program. For in-person, enter door 8.You may request reimbursement of valid expenses after January (review reimbursement guidelines) using the request for payment form (if the student report for aids form above was submitted by October 1): Request for payment form 2025-26Home school aid and reimbursement guidelines
Additional information
Review key documents to understand homeschool processes, guidelines and supports:
- Home school overview (PDF)
- First-time home school families (or after a gap of more than one year from the Anoka-Hennepin School District): New home school families may submit an online home school registration form, or print the PDF version: Initial registration form (PDF template)
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Resources for Home and Nonpublic Schools
Resources are available for Minnesota home and nonpublic schools. If you are interested in participating in any of the programs, please read through the requirements and the directions carefully. To apply, simply complete the appropriate forms and follow directions for the particular program of your interest.Minnesota nonpublic textbooks, individualized instructional materials and standardized testing program
Allocation/student:- $132.98 for students in grades K–12
- $66.49 for part-time kindergarten
Provides: Approved materials on loan to nonpublic schools and homeschools.Requirements: Materials must meet standard definitions given by the state; all materials must be secular in nature; all materials must be prepared as opposed to supply items; no teacher (only student) items; testing must meet professional standards.Directions: Applicant forwards completed form (State Form ED-01650) to School District Home and Nonpublic Schools Office. All applications should be submitted by October 1 annually. Please call 763-506-1273 with questions.MN Nonpublic Health Services Program
Allocation/student: $85.48Provides: Services of a public health nurse for screening and consultation.Directions: Applicant forwards completed form to school district. All applications should be submitted prior to the opening of school.MN Nonpublic Guidance and Counseling Program
Allocation/student: $358.75Provides: Guidance and counseling services for secondary students at a public school site. (Registration and scheduling assistance is done without charge to any student.)Directions: Applicants forward completed form to School District. Please note that this is available only to students Grade 7 and above.Title I, Special Education & Title Staff Development Funds
Provides: Tutorial services for elementary students who are six months or more behind their grade levels in reading and/or math.Requirements: Students must live in a Title I targeted area and service is provided at a public school. Student must have a high priority for service, must be identified by his/her classroom teacher, must score below the 40th percentile in reading and/or math on a nationally normed, standardized test and must live in a targeted area.Directions: Submit a written request for Title I services and confirmation that the student is eligible for free and reduced lunches to the Director of Supplemental Programs at the ISD Anoka-Hennepin Educational Services Center. To determine if a student is eligible for free or reduced lunch, please contact Child Nutrition Services, they can provide an application to determine eligibility. Further student skills assessment will be necessary to complete the process. Title I services will be provided with other students at the same level at a scheduled time in the public school in the student's attendance area.Special Education
The Reauthorization of Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) requires school districts to identify students in nonpublic schools who have a disability. Students enrolled in homeschool are considered a nonpublic educational placement.If you perceive that your child is not making satisfactory academic, social, behavioral and /or communicative progress to the extent that your child appears to demonstrate a substantial limitation in the areas of learning or communicating, you may seek an evaluation through the Anoka-Hennepin School District. The evaluation will be designed to determine whether or not the student has a disability as defined by Minnesota State Criteria. The public school responsible for reviewing this referral is the age appropriate attendance area school in which you reside. Students eligible for special education under Minnesota State Criteria will have a meeting scheduled to discuss and develop an Individual Service Plan (ISP).If a student is enrolled in public school and receives special education services, and now opts to enroll as a home-educated student, parents may request a meeting with the public school to discuss and develop an ISP. Direct special education services are delivered at the attendance school. Contact the special education department with questions regarding a special education evaluation.Title II Staff Development Funds
Allocation/Student: $18.89Provides: Staff development in math and science for non-public school staff.Directions: Send letter of request to the Director of Supplemental Programs at the Educational Service Center outlining the use of the funds. Forms must be signed.Transportation
Provides: Home educated student's transportation for guidance and counseling services, Title I and special education services according to district policy. Transportation services will be provided and arranged as appropriate to the student's participation in those programs.
Requirements: Qualifications for appropriate service.
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Contact
Home and Nonpublic Schools
2727 N. Ferry St.
Anoka, MN 55303
Home school secretary: Shannon Larson
Phone: 763-506-1273Home school liaison: Molly Liberto
Phone: 763-506-1262Email: homeschool@ahschools.us
Office hours: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
