Homeschool Sports Eligibility in North Dakota
Yes. North Dakota law says a child in home education may take part in extracurricular activities, sports included, through the school district of residence, under the same standards as full-time students.
How homeschool participation works
Section 15.1-23-16 of the North Dakota Century Code gives a child in home education two routes. Your child can take part under the auspices of your school district of residence, or under an approved nonpublic school if its administrator permits it.
You make the choice on the annual statement of intent to supervise home education, which lists any extracurricular activities your child plans to join and the district or school offering them. Once you name that school, your child is subject to the transfer rules in the constitution and bylaws of the North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA).
Rules that decide participation
Statement of intent
You file the statement with the district superintendent, or the county superintendent if the district has none, at least five days before home education begins or within 14 days of moving into the district, and again each year.
Activities named
The statement names each activity and the district or approved nonpublic school offering it.
Full-time student standards
Your child meets every participation standard the district or school applies to its full-time students.
Before the season
First step
Add the sports your child wants to play, and the school offering them, to this year's statement of intent, then ask the athletic director for the season's forms.
What can rule a player out
Switching the school named on the statement later is treated under NDHSAA transfer rules, which can limit play at the new school.
When to start
Have the activities listed on the statement before the season starts; the law sets no other homeschool deadline.
School that fits around the season
Lessons start at your child's level and go wherever practice and travel do. We grade the work as it is submitted and keep the grades and transcript a school or league may ask to see.
$149/month per child after the trial.