How to start homeschooling in District of Columbia
The legal steps, in order, checked against District of Columbia law.
Short answer: To homeschool in the District of Columbia, a parent or legal guardian submits a Notification of Intent to Homeschool to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) at least 15 business days before home instruction begins, and files a continuation notice by August 15 each following year. The program must give thorough, regular instruction in the required subjects, and the parent keeps a portfolio of the child's work that OSSE may review. Parents who teach must have a high school diploma or its equivalent, or obtain a waiver.
Checked against 5-A DCMR 5202 on Nov 8, 2026. Compulsory school ages: 5 to 18. This is what the law says, not legal advice.
Home schooling program
Parents or legal guardians with legal custody who will direct their child's education at home.
Steps
- Confirm you have a high school diploma or its equivalent. If not, petition OSSE for a waiver with evidence that you can provide a thorough, regular education.
- Submit the Notification of Intent to Homeschool online at least 15 business days (not counting weekends or District holidays) before the first day of home instruction.
- If your child attends a public or public charter school, give the school the verification letter OSSE sends after approving your notice, and follow the school's exit process. Until the official withdrawal, your child stays enrolled and accrues unexcused absences.
- Teach language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education, and keep a portfolio of your child's current work.
- Each year you continue, file a Notification of Homeschool Continuation by August 15. To stop, file a Notification to Discontinue Homeschooling at least 15 business days before you stop.
| Notice to the state | Yes To: The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), on its official online form When: At least 15 business days before home instruction begins; continuation notice by August 15 each year after Official form |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education. Programs need not follow public school methods or curricular frameworks. |
| Time | Thorough, regular instruction of sufficient duration to carry out the program. No specific day or hour count is set. |
| Parent qualifications | The parent or legal guardian who teaches must have a high school diploma or its equivalent, or receive a waiver from OSSE. |
| Testing or evaluation | None required by law. Homeschooled children may take the regularly scheduled public school standardized tests free of charge. |
| Records to keep | A portfolio for each child with evidence of current work, such as writing samples, worksheets, workbooks, creative work, and assessments, kept for at least one year. OSSE may ask in writing to review it, no more than twice a school year, at a mutually agreeable time and place. |
The law: 5-A DCMR 5202 5-A DCMR 5203 5-A DCMR 5204 5-A DCMR 5205 and 5206 5-A DCMR 5207 5-A DCMR 5209 D.C. Code 38-202
Leaving public school mid-year
OSSE says parents must notify the child's school of the intent to withdraw. After OSSE approves the Notification of Intent, it sends a verification letter to give the school to begin the official withdrawal, and the family follows the school's exit process. A student may not be registered to homeschool while attending a public or public charter school, and until officially withdrawn the student stays registered, accrues unexcused absences, and is subject to truancy reporting.
High school, transcripts and diplomas
When a homeschooled child applies to enroll in a District public school, placement and any credits toward high school graduation are determined by evaluation, which may include standardized tests, other exams, and interviews.
Public school sports and activities
OSSE's family guide says homeschooled students may petition the DC State Athletic Association to take part in sports. No statute or regulation on this was confirmed.
After the paperwork
Common questions
Do I have to tell the state I am homeschooling in District of Columbia?
Yes, under the home schooling program route, you notify the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), on its official online form at least 15 business days before home instruction begins; continuation notice by August 15 each year after.
Is testing required for homeschoolers in District of Columbia?
No. District of Columbia law does not require testing under the home schooling program route. Homeschooled children may take the regularly scheduled public school standardized tests free of charge.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in District of Columbia?
Language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education. Programs need not follow public school methods or curricular frameworks.
What ages must be schooled in District of Columbia?
Ages 5 to 18, per state law.
Sources
- 5-A DCMR 5202
- D.C. Code 38-202
- Homeschooling in the District of Columbia, Office of the State Superintendent of Education
We read each source on Nov 8, 2026 and recheck every guide each quarter. Laws change. If something here no longer matches the state, write to us and we will fix it.