Start homeschooling · District of Columbia

How to start homeschooling in the District of Columbia

Everything the District of Columbia asks of a homeschool family, in order, from the District’s own sources, checked October 1, 2026. Each step links to a free tool that does it, and there’s a checklist to print at the end.

Legal options1
NoticeRequired
Days or hoursNot set
TestingNot required
RecordsRequired

Step by step

  1. Know what the District of Columbia requires

    Parent notifies OSSE before starting and every August 15 after, provides thorough and regular instruction in eight subject areas, and keeps a portfolio OSSE may review up to twice a year.

    Required school ages in the District of Columbia: 5 to 18. Teacher qualification for this option: Parent must have a high school diploma or its equivalent, or petition OSSE for a waiver with evidence they can provide a thorough and regular education (§5207).

  2. If your child is in school now, withdraw in writing

    Send the school a dated withdrawal letter saying your child will be educated at home, and keep a copy. The District of Columbia also asks for a notice under this option (the next step); file it by its deadline.

    Write the withdrawal letter

  3. File your notice

    Required.

    When: 15 business days before starting; by August 15 of each continuing year.

    What it includes: Notification of Intent to Homeschool on the OSSE form at least 15 business days before the first day of home instruction (OSSE page; the published rule §5202.1 says '15 days'). Notification of Homeschool Continuation each year. Written notice 15 days before discontinuing (§5203.2).

    The District of Columbia names its own form, affidavit or filing for this. Use that where it’s required; our letter can go with it as a cover letter or a record.

    Write the notice of intent

  4. Plan your school year: days and hours

    The District of Columbia doesn’t set a number of days or hours for this option.

    No set number of days; instruction must be 'thorough, regular instruction of sufficient duration' (§5204.1(a)). No set hours.

    Planning about 180 days, as schools do, gives the year a shape and makes a move to another state easier.

    Check your days and hoursMake a school calendar

  5. Cover the required subjects

    Language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, physical education.

    Required by 5-A DCMR §5204.1(b).

    Find curriculum with lesson counts

  6. Testing or evaluation

    Not required under this option.

  7. Keep the records the District asks for

    Required.

    Maintain a portfolio for each child with evidence of current work in a range of subjects (e.g., writings, worksheets, workbooks, creative materials, assessments); keep it for at least one year and make it available to OSSE on request (§5205).

    Printable logsKeep them in My Homeschool

  8. Start teaching

    Put your books on a lesson schedule, and the planner spreads the lessons across your school days and moves them when a day is missed. Log attendance in a tap, and keep grades, a portfolio and a transcript as you go.

    Start a free plan in My HomeschoolAll free tools

  9. High school and graduation

    Regulations set no homeschool graduation requirements. OSSE does not provide report cards or transcripts; its FAQ points to the GED or National External Diploma Program (NEDP) for a credential.

    Keep a transcriptGPA calculatorSample transcript

Official sources for this option

Not confirmed on an official page: Notice lead time: OSSE page says 15 business days; rule text reviewed says 15 days. Current codified text on dcregs.dc.gov not read. Whether a parent-issued diploma is recognized not addressed. Check these points with OSSE before you rely on them; everything else above comes from the official sources listed.

Your District of Columbia checklist

Tick as you go, or print it. Nothing here is saved or sent anywhere.

Homeschool Corral · How to start homeschooling in the District of Columbia · homeschoolcorral.com

  • Read the District of Columbia’s rules for “Home instruction under OSSE homeschooling regulations”
  • Withdraw from school in writing (if enrolled), and keep a copy
  • File the notice (15 business days before starting; by August 15 of each continuing year)
  • Set the first and last day, school days and breaks
  • Choose curriculum for each required subject
  • Start the required records from day one
  • Make a first-week plan and start

Questions District of Columbia parents ask

Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in the District of Columbia?

Yes. When: 15 business days before starting; by August 15 of each continuing year. What to file: Notification of Intent to Homeschool on the OSSE form at least 15 business days before the first day of home instruction (OSSE page; the published rule §5202.1 says '15 days'). Notification of Homeschool Continuation each year. Written notice 15 days before discontinuing (§5203.2).

How many days or hours do homeschoolers need in the District of Columbia?

No set number of days; instruction must be 'thorough, regular instruction of sufficient duration' (§5204.1(a)). No set hours.

Do homeschoolers have to take tests in the District of Columbia?

No testing required; homeschooled children may take the standardized tests given at the public school they are eligible to attend, free of charge. OSSE may review the portfolio (not more than two reviews per school year, on at least 30 days' written notice); an inadequate program gets a corrective action plan.

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in the District of Columbia?

Parent must have a high school diploma or its equivalent, or petition OSSE for a waiver with evidence they can provide a thorough and regular education (§5207).

What subjects are required in the District of Columbia?

Language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, physical education.

What records do I need to keep in the District of Columbia?

Maintain a portfolio for each child with evidence of current work in a range of subjects (e.g., writings, worksheets, workbooks, creative materials, assessments); keep it for at least one year and make it available to OSSE on request (§5205).

Keep going

District of Columbia homeschool rules in fullEvery option, by grade, with the District’s sources Moving to or from the District of Columbia?See what changes, side by side District of Columbia scholarshipsFor homeschool students, with deadlines Plan your year, freeMy Homeschool, free while we’re in beta; an invite code is needed to create an account

This is a plain-English summary of the District’s official sources, checked on the date shown. It is not legal advice, and laws change. Read the linked official pages, and check with OSSE if anything is unclear.

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