Enrollment Options | Pipestone Area Schools (MN)

Homeschool Information

Homeschool Information

Homeschool parents do everything that traditional school administrators and teachers do but in the context of their home. This means planning what students learn, choosing the appropriate curriculum, keeping all records, managing costs, and assuring the quality and scope of their student’s education. When students graduate from homeschooling, they receive a homeschool diploma/transcript, just as they would from other private/public schools.

In accordance with Minnesota state law, Pipestone Area Schools, ISD 2689, is required to ensure that all school-age children living within the district’s boundaries are being educated. The district’s primary role is to provide the necessary information and forms to each homeschool for compliance and documentation. The district has no educational records of students who have been homeschooled. Likewise, the district does not verify or certify any homeschool diploma or transcript.

If you determine homeschooling is the best option for your student, you must turn in an Initial Registration Form for Unaccredited Schools and Student Immunization Form to Pipestone Area Schools:

By October 1 of the first year, the child is homeschooled after reaching age 7.
Within 15 days of withdrawing a child from public school to homeschool.
Within 15 days of moving out of a district, the parent must notify the old district of the move. They must turn in a Full Report to the new district by October 1 of the next year.

In subsequent years, the parent must turn in a Letter of Intent to Continue to Provide Instruction by October 1 of each year.

The information is mandatory and must be submitted to the District Office by October 1 of each year. Deadlines for returning all forms to the School District are set by the MN Department of Education. If complete information is not received, the district must report the homeschool as “not compliant” in its report to the state of Minnesota:

Please note that Minnesota laws related to homeschooling changed significantly in July 2011 and 2014. Minnesota home schools are encouraged to carefully review Homeschool Information for Parents provided by the Minnesota Department of Education. For specific questions, call MDE directly at 651-582-8200.

Aids to Nonpublic Students

Parents of students in regular private schools often pay for most of their students; tuition, and so do homeschooling families. A small amount of financial assistance is available through Aids to Nonpublic Students program. You must meet the following deadlines if you want to receive aid:

By October 1 – Return Aids to Nonpublic Students Forms to Pipestone Area Schools.

By October 15 – Pipestone Area Schools submit information to MDE, allowing you access to up to:

$81.31 per eligible pupil for textbooks, standardized tests, and individual instructional materials.
$73.71 for eligible students for Pupil Health Services.
$298.05 for Secondary Pupil Guidance and Counseling Services.

Receipts for items you purchased must be sent to our office no later than February 15th, 2023. Remember, the materials have to be purchased after July 1, 2022, and used in this school year.

PAS Homeschool contact:
Deb Peschon, 1401 7th St SW, Pipestone, MN 56164
507-562-6068 (ext 1), Email

Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment Application Deadline – January 15

The Pipestone Area School District welcomes non-resident students through Minnesota’s Open Enrollment Program. The application deadline for open enrollment is January 15 of this year. You may complete the English application or Spanish Application online, print it, and mail it to Pipestone Area Schools – Deb Peschon, 1401 7th St SW, Pipestone, MN 56164, or email it directly to Deb Peschon

Open Enrollment approval/disapproval by the District is communicated to families by February 15 (or thirty days after application for late applications). After receiving approval of your application you must notify Pipestone Area Schools of your commitment to attend.

Transportation is only provided within Pipestone Area Schools boundaries. Open-enrolled students should contact Ludolph Bus Service at 507-825-2303 for transportation questions.