Home & Non-Public Schools
Community Education serves Home and Non-Public Schools as the district’s first point of contact. In accordance with state law, New Prague Area Schools is required to ensure that all school-age children living within the district boundaries are being educated. Our primary role is to be certain that all homeschooling families comply with state law and to provide the necessary information and forms needed for home schools to be in compliance. For specific homeschool questions and to check out requirements, visit the Minnesota Department of Education website.
If you determine homeschooling is the best option for your student, please submit the following information to New Prague Area Community Education by October 1st:
- Initial Registration Form for 1st Time Home School Families (new families only) or Letter of Intent to Continue Homeschooling Form (required for children ages 7-16 Statute 120A.24)
- Immunization record for each child, if not already on file
- The name of the annual test used to assess each child
- The Student Report for Aids to Nonpublic Students Form, if requesting financial aid (optional)
Important Dates for the 2024-2025 School Year
October 1, 2024
Return all required forms and documentation to Sandi Loxton, Director of Community Services. This includes the Letter of Intent to Continue Homeschooling Form, or Initial Registration Form, the Student Report for Aids to Nonpublic Students Form if requesting financial aid, and updated immunization forms.
October 15, 2024 or April 1, 2025
Use the online ordering form from the University of Minnesota for fall or spring testing materials to fulfill the assessment requirement.
June 1, 2025
Submit all receipts to Sandi Loxton to claim final reimbursements for testing and instructional supplies for the current school year.
How to Submit Homeschool Forms
Letters are mailed out each August to known homeschool households in the district, reminding families to complete the required notification to the district. All homeschool paperwork and reimbursements are processed through the community education office:
New Prague Area Community Education
410 Central Avenue North, Suite 300
New Prague, MN 56071
Please call (952) 758-1734 for assistance or questions. Homeschool operations are governed by Minnesota Statutes 120A.22-102A.26 and 121A.15.
Resources for Homeschool Families
You’ll find resources here to help answer questions about homeschooling your child(ren) in addition to forms that must be filled out each year by parents intending to provide homeschooling instruction. Please download the forms needed, fill them out and return to Community Education prior to their due dates. Deadlines for returning all forms to the school district are set by the MN Department of Education. If you would like a complete packet mailed to your home, you may request it by calling 952-758-1734.
- First-time homeschooled students must fill out a Student Immunization Form. This form is also required when your child reaches seventh grade or age 12.
- For homeschool students previously reported to the district, please submit a Letter of Intent to Continue Homeschooling.
- If you wish to participate in the MDE nonpublic pupil aids program, you must fill out the Student Report for Aids to Nonpublic Students Form and return to Community Education by October 1st.
- Many homeschooling families find the New Prague Area Schools District Calendar to be helpful in planning their schedules.
- Homeschooling Questions and Answers was created to answer the majority of your homeschooling questions. For more specific questions call the MN Department of Education at 651-582-8200.
- The Homeschool Reimbursement Procedures and State Guidelines was compiled to answer many of your questions regarding reimbursements. You may also find this Department of Revenue Fact Sheet to be helpful.
- Check here for a complete listing of the annual achievement tests recognized by New Prague Area Schools. Testing materials for homeschool educators in Minnesota may be purchased through the University of Minnesota Office of Measurement Services.
- If you are interested in going through the accreditation process for your home school, check out this link for more information and steps to follow to become accredited: Home-Based Educators' Accrediting Association.
Non-Public Schools
District 721 is home to two Non-Public Schools, St. Wenceslaus Catholic School in New Prague and Holy Cross Catholic School in Webster. Both offer instruction for PreK to Grade 8 students. Information on enrollment at these two schools is available at each school office and on their web sites.
Online Education
Elevate Online is a K-12 online learning platform in which New Prague Area Schools students may enroll. Since this program does not require open enrollment, students remain as NPAS students and can participate in extracurricular activities and other school events. Enrollment information can be found on the Southwest Metro Intermediate District 288 website.