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Homeschooling in District of Columbia

Homeschool rules in District of Columbia, in plain English

In DC, a parent who homeschools must file a Notification of Intent to Homeschool with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) at least 15 business days before home instruction starts. The parent teaching must have a high school diploma or GED, or get an OSSE waiver. Each year you continue, you must file a Notification of Homeschool Continuation by August 15, and you must teach eight subjects and keep a portfolio of your child's work for at least one year.

See another state

This explains each state's homeschool rules in plain English, from the state's own published sources. It isn't legal advice, and we aren't lawyers. Laws change and every family is different, so check with your state, your school district or a lawyer before you rely on it.

How much it asks
Some paperwork
School age
5 through 17, as OSSE's guidance states it. Some other sources say 18, so see unsure.
Time
No set number

Home instruction program (parent-directed homeschool filed with OSSE)

Parents who want to teach their child at home themselves. The parent must hold a high school diploma or GED, or win an OSSE waiver. Families moving into DC or leaving a DC public or charter school follow the same steps.

  1. Before you startWho teaches

    Confirm the parent's qualification

    The parent or guardian who runs the program needs a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED). If you do not have one, you may petition OSSE for a waiver by showing you can give your child a thorough and regular education.

  2. At least 15 business days before the first day of home instructionPaperwork

    File the Notification of Intent to Homeschool

    Complete this form online through the OSSE homeschool portal. OSSE reviews it and then issues a verification letter.

  3. After OSSE issues the verification letterPaperwork

    Withdraw your child from the current school

    If your child attends a DC public or public charter school, give the school the OSSE verification letter and follow the school's exit process. Your child may not be registered at school and homeschooled at the same time. Until the withdrawal is done, the school may record unexcused absences.

  4. OngoingWhat to teach

    Teach the required subjects

    Your program must give thorough and regular instruction of sufficient length. It must include language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education. You choose the curriculum and methods.

  5. OngoingRecords

    Keep a portfolio

    Keep samples of your child's work for each subject, such as writing, math work, and tests you give. Keep the portfolio for at least one year and make it available to OSSE when it asks.

  6. Every year by August 15Paperwork

    File the Notification of Homeschool Continuation

    Each year you continue, file this short annual form with OSSE. It is not a new application.

  7. At least 15 business days before you stopPaperwork

    File a Notification to Discontinue Homeschooling if you stop

    If you stop homeschooling, file this form and email it to OSSE.Homeschool@dc.gov. You may stop at any time, but the form must be sent in advance.

Subjects to teach

  • Language arts
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Social studies
  • Art
  • Music
  • Health
  • Physical education

Tests and reviews

OSSE's guidance does not require a standardized test or evaluation for homeschoolers. OSSE may review the portfolio when it asks. Some children may take Advanced Placement exams at a DC public high school. Ask the school for details.

Records to keep

  • Portfolio of your child's educational materials, including writing, math work, and assessments, for each subject
  • Keep the portfolio for at least one year and make it available to OSSE on request

About time

OSSE sets no number of instruction days or hours. The program must be thorough, regular, and of sufficient duration.

Also good to know

  • Your child may not be enrolled in a public or public charter school while registered as homeschooled.
  • Students who got special education or related services in public school lose those services once they are withdrawn.
  • Students homeschooled in DC may take Advanced Placement exams at their local DCPS high school, starting in the 2023-24 school year.
  • To ask OSSE to confirm a student's homeschool status to DCPS, contact OSSE staff through the OSSE homeschool office.

What we couldn’t confirm

  • Whether the compulsory age runs to 17 or 18: OSSE guidance says 5 through 17, but the DC Code may run to 18. I could not read the code text.
  • Whether Latin or a foreign language is required: only non-official sites say so, and the OSSE guidance I read does not list it.
  • Any fixed instruction-day or hour count of 180 days or 900 hours: I found this only on non-official sites and could not confirm it.
  • Whether OSSE must give 30 days' notice before a portfolio review, and whether reviews are limited to twice a year: only non-official sites say so.
  • How long records must be kept: OSSE says one year, but some non-official sites say two years.
  • Whether homeschooled children are exempt from immunization rules: only non-official sites say so.
  • What happens if a Continuation Notification is filed late: I found no official penalty.

From District of Columbia’s own sources

Last checked against these sources on November 7, 2026. We check every state each week.

How Study Naturally helps in District of Columbia

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  • Set each child’s lessons, in the subjects you teach
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  • A learning record of days, time and subjects for each child
  • Print it, save it as a PDF, or download a spreadsheet for your files

Homeschooling in District of Columbia

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