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Withdrawing from public school

How to Withdraw From Public School in Minnesota

Pulling your child out of public school in Minnesota starts with a letter to the school. The steps are below, with a free Minnesota withdrawal letter you can print today and the timing that keeps the district from marking your child absent in between.

How withdrawal works in Minnesota

File your initial report with the superintendent by October 1, or within 15 days of withdrawing mid-year. Under Minn. Stat. 120A.24, subd. 1(a) it gives the child's name, birth date, and address, the annual tests you plan to use, each instructor's name, and evidence of each instructor's qualification. Notify the current school so attendance reflects the change, and keep a copy. Each following year you file a brief letter of intent to continue by October 1.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Confirm your child is currently enrolled

    This guide is for moving a currently enrolled student to homeschooling. If your child has never attended public school in Minnesota (a kindergartner you're starting at home, for example), there's usually nothing to withdraw from. A quick call to the school confirms their status.

  2. 2

    Send a written withdrawal letter to the school

    To withdraw your child from public school in Minnesota, send a written withdrawal letter to the principal or registrar, then file a notice of intent with your local school district so the transition is on record before instruction begins. Rather than hand-writing the withdrawal letter, Homeschool Fox produces a pre-formatted PDF ready to send to the district.

    Get the free Minnesota withdrawal letter
  3. 3

    File your notice of intent

    Yes, Minnesota requires you to file notice of your intent to homeschool. You must notify your local school district. The notice is filed again each school year.

  4. 4

    Keep dated copies for your records

    Save a copy of the withdrawal letter and anything you file, noting the date you sent it. If the district ever asks about attendance, dated proof that you withdrew on time is what closes the question.

  5. 5

    Set up your homeschool

    With the withdrawal handled, the rest is starting your homeschool: planning subjects, setting an hours or days target, and keeping records. The Minnesota homeschool guide covers what the law asks for from here.

    Read the Minnesota homeschool guide

Withdrawing for the first time? The guide to withdrawing from public school covers the records request and mid-year timing in any state.

Free Minnesota printables

Three ready-to-use PDFs for Minnesota homeschoolers. No account needed.

Templates, not legal advice. Confirm the current rule with your state or district.

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Last verified October 2026 by Andy Leverenz against Minnesota's own published requirements. See the sources.

Source pages last confirmed live on Oct 26, 2026.

Homeschool Fox is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Confirm details with your state or a qualified advisor.

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