Homeschool benefits: Centennial Public School District

Centennial School District 12 reimburses resident homeschool families up to $138.43 per full-time student in 2026-27 for new, secular textbooks, standardized tests, and instructional materials. You must have turned in the Nonpublic Student Aid Request Form by October 1, 2026, and only purchases dated July 1, 2026 or later count.

By Andrew Garber, founder of TheHomeschoolingCompany. Reviewed August 25, 2026.

Who qualifies

1. Lives in Centennial

   The aid goes through your resident district, so your homeschool registration must be on file with Centennial School District 12 by October 1 or within 15 days of leaving public school.

2. Filed the aid form

   Turn in the 2026-2027 Nonpublic Student Aid Request Form, the state Student Report for Aids to Nonpublic Students, fully completed and signed by October 1. Late forms may keep the district from reimbursing you.

3. Enrolled by September 15

   The state form counts only students enrolled in your homeschool on or before September 15 who requested the service in writing.

4. Buys eligible items

   Items must be new, secular, educational, intended for your student's use, and bought on or after July 1 of the school year.

What it is worth

Centennial lists the 2026-27 textbook, test, and instructional materials rate as $138.43 per full-time student. The state form counts a part-time kindergartner as half a student.

One full-time student

$138.43

Two full-time students

$276.86

Three full-time students

$415.29

Four full-time students

$553.72

Five full-time students

$692.15

Sales tax, proctoring fees, and practice tests are not reimbursed, so ask the homeschool liaison how to submit receipts before you buy.

From filing to reimbursement

1. By September 15

   Request the form

   Ask Centennial for the current year Student Report for Aids to Nonpublic Students, and make sure your child is enrolled in your homeschool by this date.

2. By October 1

   Return the signed form

   Mark that you want to take part in textbook aid and give the completed, signed form to the district. The district files it with the Minnesota Department of Education by October 15.

3. From July 1

   Buy new materials

   Keep receipts for new, secular textbooks, workbooks, software, manipulatives, and standardized tests bought during the school year.

4. During the year

   Submit receipts

   Send receipts to the homeschool liaison under the 2026-2027 Reimbursement Eligibility Guidelines. The district page does not post a receipt deadline, so ask for it when you file.

5. Each year

   File again

   The aid is tied to one school year, so return a new form by October 1 every year you want it.

What it pays for

Covered

• Print textbooks, workbooks, and e-books
• Educational software and learning apps
• Flash cards, manipulatives, and learning kits
• Standardized tests and scoring services
• Online Advanced Placement (AP) course registration fees
• Shipping costs

Not covered

• Sales tax
• Desktop computers, laptops, and tablets
• Religious materials
• Paper, pencils, and other consumable supplies
• Teacher editions or answer keys bought separately
• Test proctoring fees and practice tests

Teacher editions count only when they come packaged with the student textbook, and every item must be something Minnesota public school students could also use.

Who to contact

The homeschool liaison handles homeschool registration, the aid request form, and shared-time requests.

homeschool@isd12.org 763-792-6175 Services and supports

Homeschool rules and statewide help in Minnesota

You must file the initial report by October 1 of the first instructional year after the child turns seven, or after establishing a new resident district. You must file within 15 days of withdrawing a child seven or older from public school, or of moving out of a district. You must file annual continuation letters by October 1 for the required ages.

Minnesota sets these rules:

• Subjects: Teach reading, writing, literature, fine arts, math, science, history, geography, economics, government, citizenship, health, and PE. Instruction and materials are in English unless the statutory language-program exception applies.
• Testing: Annual nationally normed achievement test for ages 7–16, plus certain 16–17-year-olds first reported after age 16. Agree on the test, administration, and location with the superintendent. State-recognized accredited instruction is exempt.
• Records: Unless the accreditation exemption applies, keep schedules, materials, assessment methods, and proof of testing. Keep immunization or exemption records for five years after adulthood. File immunization statements by October 1 of the first homeschool year and grade 7.
• Teachers: A parent may teach without a degree if the assessment requirements are met. Other instructors need a qualifying license, licensed supervision, bachelor’s degree, or recognized accredited-school route.

Read the Minnesota homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Minnesota

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