Washington, D.C. Homeschool Laws and Requirements
Aug 14, 2026Washington, D.C. runs homeschooling through one office, and the process is clear. You file a Notification of Intent to Homeschool at least 15 business days before you begin, then a Notification of Homeschool Continuation by August 15 each year after. You teach eight named subject areas and keep a portfolio at home. There is no standardized testing requirement, and the portfolio is reviewed only when the office asks.
Last Reviewed: August 15, 2026. Reviewed by the Modern Homeschools Editorial Team. Next scheduled review: August 15, 2027.
Washington, D.C. Homeschool Requirements at a Glance
| Topic | What applies in Washington, D.C. |
|---|---|
| Compulsory attendance ages | The rules apply to District residents from age 5 to 18 |
| Notification or registration | A Notification of Intent to Homeschool completed at least 15 business days prior to the first date of home instruction |
| Annual renewal | Yes. A Notification of Homeschool Continuation is completed by August 15 for any year you continue |
| Parent or instructor qualifications | A high school diploma or its equivalent. A parent without one may petition for a waiver with evidence that they can provide a thorough and regular education |
| Required subjects | Language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education |
| Instructional time | No number of days or hours is identified in the District's published requirements |
| Testing or evaluation | No standardized testing requirement is identified for homeschooled students |
| Required records | A portfolio of the student's education materials showing current work in a range of subjects, kept at least one year and available for review upon request |
| Responsible government agency | The Office of the State Superintendent of Education receives the notifications and conducts any review |
Two Filings, Both Simple
Starting. The Notification of Intent is completed at least 15 business days before the first date of home instruction. That lead time is the piece to plan around, since it is business days rather than calendar days.
Continuing. For any year you continue, you complete a Notification of Homeschool Continuation by August 15. It is a short annual step rather than a fresh application.
Both are filed through the District's online homeschool system. Neither is an approval process, and no one reviews your curriculum first.
One requirement is worth reading closely. A parent or legal guardian must have a high school diploma or its equivalent. If you do not, the rules provide a route rather than a wall: you may petition for a waiver with evidence that you can provide a thorough and regular education.
The Portfolio and How Review Works
You maintain a portfolio of your student's education materials, showing current work in a range of subjects such as writing, completed mathematics, and assessments. It is kept at least one year.
The portfolio is not submitted. It is available for review upon request, and the office may ask at any time. When it does, the request comes in writing at least 30 days prior to the review date, so nothing arrives without warning.
Reviews may be conducted online or in person at a mutually agreeable time and location. Afterward the office provides written feedback highlighting strengths and areas for growth. Where there are deficiencies, families receive a corrective action plan, which is a support step rather than an end to homeschooling.
Required Versus Optional
Required. The Notification of Intent with its 15 business day lead time, the August 15 continuation notice, the diploma or an approved waiver, instruction in the eight subject areas, and the portfolio kept at least one year.
Optional or your choice. Your curriculum, schedule, materials, and whether you give any tests at all. Standardized testing is not among the District's requirements, and anything the office publishes as things to consider is guidance rather than a rule.
One distinction to keep straight. A child enrolled in a District public school or public charter virtual program is a public school student rather than a homeschooler, with that school's requirements attached.
If you are withdrawing from public school, note one consequence. Students who receive specialized instruction or related services while enrolled are no longer eligible for those services once withdrawn.
How to Start Homeschooling in Washington, D.C.
- Count back 15 business days. File the Notification of Intent before that window closes.
- Confirm your qualification. A diploma or equivalent, or begin the waiver petition early.
- Withdraw from public school, if enrolled. Tell the school so its records match.
- Plan the eight subject areas. Language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education.
- Start the portfolio on day one. Current work across subjects, kept at least a year.
Official Washington, D.C. Homeschool Resources
- OSSE, Homeschooling in the District of Columbia
- Homeschooling in the District, Local Requirements
- Homeschooling in the District, Student Portfolio Review
Beginning Your Homeschool Journey?
Your First 30 Days of Homeschooling provides a practical path for establishing your priorities, planning your next steps, and creating a rhythm that works for your family.
Modern Homeschools provides educational information to help families understand and navigate homeschooling requirements. Because requirements may change, families should confirm current details with the official state sources linked within this guide.