Washington Homeschooling Laws and Resources

Homeschooling in Washington Overview 

Notice of Intent Required: Yes

1 Option for Homeschooling: Home Based Instruction

Subject or Curriculum Requirements: Yes

Attendance Age Requirements: 8-18

Record-Keeping Requirements: Yes

Assessments or Evaluations Required: Yes

Proof of Immunization Required: No

How to Start Homeschooling in Washington

Washington has very specific Home Based Instruction (HBI) laws. Parents are permitted to homeschool their children, but they must meet the following requirements:

• File an annual declaration of intent to homeschool.
• Meet the state’s HBI teacher qualifications.
• Teach the required subjects using “planned and supervised instructional and related educational activities, including a curriculum.”
• Ensure an annual academic assessment is completed, choosing from approved standardized tests or a written academic progress report.

Private School Extension Programs

Some approved private schools in Washington offer home-based instruction extension programs. Essentially, children enroll as students in the private school, then follow the school’s extension program guidelines. 

TIP: If you’re interested in pursuing this option, contact private schools directly, or ask for advice from a Washington homeschool support organization.

Annual Declaration of Intent to Homeschool in Washington

Homeschool families must file a declaration of intent every year. Contact your local school district superintendent’s office to ask for a copy of their Notice of Intent form or find downloadable forms online.

Provide the required information and submit your form by September 15th each year or within two weeks of the beginning of any public school quarter, semester, or trimester. Learn more about the requirements of the Declaration of Intent here.

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Qualifications to Homeschool in Washington

Washington parents and guardians may instruct their children as long as they meet one of the following requirements:

• Be supervised by a certified teacher (see below); or
• Have earned 45 college-level credit hours or the equivalent in semester hours; or
• Complete a course in home-based instruction at a postsecondary institution or a vocational-technical institute; or
• Be “deemed sufficiently qualified to provide home-based instruction” by the local public school superintendent (Contact the superintendent for details.)

Certified Teacher Supervision Option

Parents must work with a Washington-certified teacher who is supervising no more than 30 total students at one time. The supervising teacher will assist parents with planning objectives and must have contact with the child regularly–on average one hour a week. 

TIP: This teacher can also perform the required annual written academic assessment for the student.

Mandatory School Age in Washington

Students must start school by the time they turn 8 and continue until they turn 18 or graduate high school. Parents may start instruction earlier but must comply with homeschool instruction law when the child turns 8.

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Washington Homeschool Subject Requirements

Washington requires all students, including those being homeschooled, to receive instruction in the following subjects:

• Occupational education
• Science
• Mathematics
• Language
• Social studies
• History
• Health
• Reading
• Writing
• Spelling
• Development of an appreciation of art and music

Parents may choose any curriculum programs, textbooks, and instructional materials to cover these subjects. HBI students are not subject to the state learning standards, but home educators may use them as a guide. Families are responsible for all the costs involved in providing these materials.

Washington Homeschool Attendance Requirements  

Students must receive instruction 180 days a year, or 1,000 hours during an academic year, for grades 1st through 12th. Kindergarten students must receive 450 hours of instruction in a year.

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Washington Homeschool Record-Keeping Requirements 

Washington requires families to establish a “permanent record” of their child’s home based instruction education. This record must include copies of all required annual assessments. Parents may also wish to include attendance records, courses and grades, instructional materials, curriculum programs, textbooks, and a portfolio of representative work samples. 

TIP: If you ever need to transition your child to public school, you’ll be required to provide a copy of these records, along with immunization records or certificates of exemption.

Washington Homeschool Assessments and Evaluations 

Home Based Instruction students must be assessed annually. Parents may choose one of two methods:

• Have a qualified person administer any standardized achievement test evaluated by the Buros Institute of Mental Measurements. (See a list of approved standardized tests here.); or
• Provide an assessment of the student’s academic progress written by a certificated person who is currently working in the education field.

TIP: You don’t need to submit these assessments to the public school district. Keep them on file as part of your child’s permanent academic record.

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Required Immunizations for Homeschoolers in Washington

Washington home based instruction students are not required to be immunized but may need to provide proof of immunization or certificates of exemption to take classes at public schools or play sports.

Resources for Homeschool Families in Washington

Homeschooling families often seek opportunities to enhance their children’s education, promote socialization, and empower their homeschooling journey. Families can achieve this by joining homeschool groups, co-ops, or larger associations. 

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Homeschool Groups and Co-ops in Washington

Washington homeschool families can benefit greatly from the resources and support homeschool organizations, groups, co-ops, and associations provide. Homeschool associations are typically more formal than traditional groups or co-ops and may require membership fees. These entities often offer access to events, information, resources, legal assistance, and advocacy efforts. 

We recommend checking online when you begin your search for a homeschool group or co-op. Here are two well-known organizations to help you get started:

• Washington Homeschool Organization: Their website is packed with useful information, plus they offer social and educational events for families to enjoy.
• Washington State Secular Homeschoolers: Join this private Facebook group to chat with other like-minded homeschool families.

Visit the Washington Homeschool Organization’s local support groups and co-ops page for more options.

Sports Opportunities for Homeschoolers in Washington

Students who meet the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) eligibility criteria may compete in interscholastic sports. They can also join homeschool sports leagues or participate in one of many community youth sports programs. Here are some options for Washington homeschool athletics:

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Washington Homeschool Field Trips 

Everybody loves field trips, and homeschool families have the flexibility and freedom to really get out and explore. 

TIP: If you’d like to qualify for group discounts and special programs, consider planning field trips with other homeschoolers.

Washington has some of the country’s most beautiful National Parks, including Mount Rainier and Olympic. Fourth graders and their families can visit them for free (restrictions apply) with the Every Kid Outdoors program. Plus, the area is studded with incredible state parks and historical sites. Seattle is full of great places, from the heights of the Space Needle to the shores of Puget Sound. Get hands-on STEM experiences at the Pacific Science Center, marvel at colorful sculptures at Chihuly Garden and Glass, or dive into the underwater world at the Seattle Aquarium. Visit one of Washington’s Native American Heritage Sites to learn about the state’s indigenous people, or head to the Washington State Historical Museum for a comprehensive view of the r

Special Education Homeschoolers

For families homeschooling students with special needs in Washington, dual enrollment in the local public school might be an option for receiving the needed special education services. Washington’s law says that part-time students are entitled to ancillary services through the school.

Ancillary services provides a layer of protection and assistance for securing the needed supports for those homeschooling a child with special needs. Ancillary services, as defined by Washington state, include everything from speech and hearing therapy to health care services.

Parents should contact the local school district to clarify what services could be offered if their student with special needs qualifies for ancillary services before deciding to enroll part-time.

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Washington Homeschool FAQ

Is Washington a homeschool-friendly state?

Washington’s home based instruction laws require parents to meet qualification requirements or be overseen by a certified teacher. Families must also conduct annual evaluations or standardized testing, teach a fairly long list of required subjects, and provide a minimum number of instruction hours or days.

That being said, Washington home educators have complete control over how, when, and where they teach their homeschool children. Home based instruction students can take classes at local schools and play sports as well. Overall, Washington is fairly friendly to homeschoolers who follow the state’s requirements.

How do Washington homeschoolers receive diplomas or transcripts?

Parents may issue a diploma to home based instruction students if they complete the graduation requirements. However, institutions of higher education, companies, and other organizations may or may not accept these diplomas. Students may also consider taking the GED to receive an equivalency certificate.

TIP: Home educators must create their own transcripts, using details from their student’s permanent academic records. 

The more detailed your homeschool records, the easier it will be to create these transcripts.

Is unschooling legal in Washington?

Qualified parents may choose any instruction methods they like to cover Washington’s required subjects. This includes unschooling.

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