Homeschooling in Washington: How To Homeschool While Following State Laws

by Rita Onyx

This is meant to be a summary and NOT legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under.

Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular. Just in the last years alone, homeschooling rose up by 700%. What was once seen as old-fashioned and outdated is now a modern way to educate the next generation.

There are many benefits to homeschooling; it gives parents freedom in choosing the curriculums and subjects their children learn. Remote learning also ensures their children are kept safe, away from potential dangers like bullying or viruses in public schools. It’s a win-win situation.

Thinking of homeschooling your children too? Then follow this quick guide on how to homeschool your children if you live in Washington. Know the Washington homeschool state laws and regulations in your state so you can homeschool properly.

There are Two Ways to Homeschool:

1. Homeschool statute
2. Private or denomination school

Requirements:

• Children between 8-17 of age must be in school 
• You MUST notify your local school district of your intentions
• There ARE teacher qualifications
• There ARE state mandated subjects 
• There ARE required assessments or testing
• There are NO immunization requirements

How to Homeschool Under the Homeschool Statute

• Meet the requirements to be a teacher by either:

a) Teaching only your child and being monitored by a certified person

b) Teaching only your child and having either 45 college quarter credits or the equivalent of two semester credits

c) Teaching only your child and having completed a course in home-based education at a postsecondary institution or vocational-technical institute

d) Teaching only your child and being “deemed sufficiently qualified to provide home-based instruction by the superintendent of the local school district”

• Submit a notice of intent to homeschool with the superintendent of the local school district by September 15^th

• Include in the notice:

a) Name and age of child

b) Whether a certified person will be monitoring the instruction

c) Instruction must be at least 180 days per year or an average 1,000 hours per year

• Subjects must include:

1. Math
2. Science
3. Language
4. Social studies
5. History
6. Reading
7. Writing
8. Spelling
9. Occupational education

• Evaluate your child every year using one of the following two options:

a) Standardized test approved by the state board

b) Evaluation by a certified person

How to Homeschool with a Private or Denominational School

• Enroll in an extension program of an approved private school that allows homeschooled students

• Follow the private school’s policies

Helpful links:

https://washhomeschool.org/homeschooling/the-law/

https://www.k12.wa.us/student-success/learning-alternatives/home-based-instruction

https://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/non-public-education/regulation-map/washington.html

Contact Information–State and Federal Departments of Education

• Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
  Old Capitol Building
  P.O. Box 47200
  600 Washington Street S.E.
  Olympia, WA 98504-7200
  Phone: (360) 725-6000
  Fax: (360) 753-6712
  TTY: (360) 664-3631
  Website: http://www.k12.wa.us/

• U.S. Department of Education, Washington

This is meant to be a summary and NOT legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under.