Homeschool benefits: Fargo Public Schools
Fargo Public Schools gives homeschool families district testing access, a service-plan route for children who previously received special education, and access to approved co-curricular activities. District-selected standardized testing in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10 is paid for by the district, while activities require their own forms.
Who qualifies
Files homeschool documents with Fargo
The district asks you to complete and return its Intent to Home-Educate form and directs documents to the Homeschool Office at 700 7th Street South.
Previously received special education
If your child previously qualified for and received services under an Individualized Education Program (IEP), complete the Home Education Service Plan. The form lets you request district services or indicate that you do not want them.
Completes activity participation requirements
Homeschool students must submit the co-curricular forms. Use Infinite Campus if you have access, or the district’s Co-op/Home School Students page if you do not; athletic participation also requires the applicable annual physical.
What it gives you
Fargo’s homeschool page, service-plan form, and activity page provide local requirements; the linked North Dakota education department guide confirms district-paid testing.
- District-selected achievement test
- District pays testing and administration
- Testing grades
- 4, 6, 8, and 10
- Home Education Service Plan
- Records requested services and monthly minutes
- Service-plan progress report
- Submit annually with intent
- Athletic physical
- Valid for one school year
- Educator training
- Home educators may attend district staff training
If you choose a different nationally normed achievement test, the state guide says you pay for it and a licensed teacher must administer it.
How to use it
- Before requesting support
Send homeschool documents
Return the intent form to the district’s Homeschool Office and identify your child’s planned district participation.
- If your child had IEP services
Complete the service plan
The form includes the proposed intervention and minutes per month.
- Before testing
Arrange the district test
Contact the Homeschool Office about the district-selected test for the applicable grade and your testing decision.
- Before activities or practice
Complete forms and physical
Submit required consents, verify the activity video or attend a campus meeting, and provide the physical for athletic participation.
- Each year
Update your service-plan report
Submit the progress report with your annual intent. Renew the athletic physical for the school year if your child will play a sanctioned sport.
What it includes
Included
- District-selected testing
- Service-plan coordination
- Approved co-curricular access
- District educator training
Not included
- Parent-selected alternative testing costs
Good to know
Fargo pays for the district-selected test
Fargo covers the test if your child takes the district-selected one. The state guide linked by Fargo says choosing another nationally normed test makes you responsible for the cost and for a licensed teacher's administration.
Who to contact about homeschool services
The Homeschool Office receives home-education documents and lists staff contacts for teaching, assessment, and student support.
701-446-1055 Homeschool office contacts
Homeschool rules and statewide help in North Dakota
You must file a Statement of Intent with the resident district superintendent at least five days before beginning, or within 14 days of establishing residence in the district. You must file again each year for a child of compulsory school age.
North Dakota sets these rules:
- Subjects: Teach the subjects required for public-school students at the same level. Provide at least four hours of instruction per day for at least 175 days each year.
- Testing: Test in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10 unless a statutory exemption applies. File any exemption notice and supporting documentation with the annual Statement of Intent.
- Records: Keep yearly records of courses, progress, and test results. File required test results with the superintendent. Provide records on request after a public-school transfer.
- Teachers: The supervising parent or legal guardian needs a high-school diploma or GED, or monitoring by a licensed or approved teacher for the first two years, with an extension when required by the child’s test results.
Read the North Dakota homeschooling guide See statewide programs in North Dakota
Questions parents ask
- Does a former IEP automatically continue at Fargo Public Schools?
- No. The form records whether you request district services, the area of need, annual goals, and the proposed service schedule.
- What if we do not have Infinite Campus access?
- Use the Co-op/Home School Students page for activity forms. It provides consent forms, a parent activity video, and physical submission instructions for participating students.
- What does my student need before sports practice?
- An approved pre-participation history and physical clearance, which the district requires before any sanctioned athletic participation, including practice. A physical completed before April 15 cannot be used for the following school year.
- Can I attend district teacher training?
- Yes. Fargo says home educators may attend classes, staff development programs, and training sessions provided to district teaching staff.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
Local classes cover the subjects they offer. We teach the remaining subjects, so a local class can stay part of the year without becoming the whole curriculum.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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