Homeschool benefits: New Prague Area Schools
New Prague Area Schools reimburses homeschool families up to $138.43 per full-time K-12 student in 2026-27 for new instructional materials and approved standardized tests. You must have filed the Student Report for Aids by October 1, 2026, then send original receipts to Community Education by June 1, 2027.
Who qualifies
Homeschools in District 721
New Prague Area Schools (ISD 721) serves homeschool families living within its boundaries through Community Education. Send the Initial Registration Form or the Letter of Intent to Continue by October 1.
Filed the Student Report for Aids
The form is optional, but only families who return it to Community Education by October 1, 2026 can be reimbursed for 2026-27.
Buys new materials after July 1
Receipts dated before July 1, 2026 are not processed for 2026-27, and used materials are never reimbursable.
Keeps original, itemized receipts
Each receipt must be original, readable, itemized, and show proof of payment. Online orders must show both the purchase date and the shipment date.
What it is worth
New Prague's 2026-27 guidelines set the state aid at $138.43 per full-time K-12 student and prorate multiyear online subscriptions to the current year.
- One full-time student
- Up to $138.43
- Two full-time students
- Up to $276.86
- Three full-time students
- Up to $415.29
- $90 three-year online subscription
- $30
- Sales tax
- $0
The rate may change in January 2027 once enrollments are counted and the final allotment is set.
From filing to reimbursement
- By October 1, 2026
File your forms
Return your registration or letter of intent, the immunization form if needed, the name of each child's annual test, and the Student Report for Aids to Sandi Loxton at Community Education.
- From July 1, 2026
Buy new materials
Save the original receipts. Photocopy register receipts too, since originals fade, and send both.
- October 15 or April 1
Order testing materials
Use the University of Minnesota online order form for fall or spring testing. Approved standardized tests are reimbursable.
- By June 1, 2027
Submit receipts
Send all receipts to Sandi Loxton. Receipts received after June 1 cannot be processed.
- End of the school year
Return the items
Items bought with state aid belong to New Prague Area Schools and go back to the district's lending library.
What it pays for
Covered
- New instructional materials for student use
- Approved standardized tests
- The current year of an online instruction subscription
Not covered
- Sales tax
- Used materials
- Licensed software such as Microsoft Office
- Teacher materials, equipment, and consumables
- Reference materials
Online instruction is reimbursed only for the current year, and only if approved; later years of a multiyear subscription are not reimbursable.
Who to contact
Community Education processes all homeschool paperwork and reimbursements for New Prague Area Schools.
952-758-1734 Home and Non-Public Schools
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
Questions parents ask
- Do we keep the books New Prague reimburses?
- No. Items bought with state aid become district property and must be returned at the end of the school year to join the ISD 721 lending library.
- Will New Prague reimburse an online course?
- Yes, if it is approved, but only for the current year. A $90 three-year subscription, for example, is reimbursed at $30.
- What if my receipt does not show how I paid?
- You will be asked for more proof, such as a copy of the credit card statement, a canceled check, or a bank statement. Packing lists do not count.
- Can I get a paper packet of the forms?
- Yes. Call Community Education at 952-758-1734 and ask for a complete packet to be mailed to your home.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
TheHomeschoolingCompany offers one subject or a full curriculum. Check the program’s purchasing rules before using funds to pay for a plan.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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