Homeschool benefits and savings in Bismarck

Bismarck Parks and Recreation offers homeschool families 100% fee waivers for listed youth sports and outdoor pool season passes, 50% for listed classes, and 65% for fitness memberships. Bring the scholarship application and proof of financial need to the district office in person.

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

Who qualifies

1. Uses the homeschool application route

   The district specifically directs homeschool families to its Summer Months and Adults process instead of obtaining a school social worker’s waiver. Print the application or collect a paper copy at the office.

2. Provides financial need documentation

   Bring the completed application with your most recent tax return or proof of current Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Medicaid eligibility. Email submissions are not accepted.

3. Selects an eligible program

   Fee waivers apply to the district’s listed programs and pass types. A family fitness membership household can include up to two adults and children in their care who are high school age or younger.

How much of the fee is waived

The district scholarship page and 2026 application specify the waiver percentages and pool-pass restrictions.

Listed youth sports

100%

Outdoor pool season pass

100%

Swim lessons

50%

Archery, fencing, or karate

50%

Indoor tennis or Triple Star camp

50%

Fitness facility membership

65%

An outdoor pool waiver excludes the Hillside Aquatic Complex waterslide and does not cover indoor pool fees at the BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center.

How to apply

1. Before choosing activities

   Review the covered list

   Choose a listed sport, class, outdoor pool pass, or fitness membership. The scholarship page narrows some basketball and volleyball offerings by season or grade.

2. Before registration

   Complete the application

   List the applicants and select the requested programs. For a family fitness membership, list all household members.

3. At the district office

   Submit proof and register

   Bring your application and proof of need to 400 E. Front Avenue, Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m., as stated on the 2026 form.

4. During the program

   Attend the booked activities

   The district asks you to make sure your child attends because many programs fill up. Its school-year waiver process requires a new waiver each school year.

What the waivers cover

Covered

• Listed youth sports
• Listed youth classes
• Outdoor pool season passes
• Fitness facility memberships

Not covered

• Hillside waterslide with pool waiver
• Indoor pool fees with pool waiver
• Full swim lesson fee waiver

Good to know

• Homeschool families apply without a social worker

  The scholarship page tells homeschool families to use the application-and-proof-of-need route labeled Summer Months and Adults. You take the documents directly to the district office.

Who to contact about scholarships

The district office accepts scholarship applications and answers registration questions.

701-222-6455 Scholarship instructions

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

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