How to homeschool in Washington
The rules for 2026–27 in plain words: what to send, when, what to teach and what to keep.
✓ Checked against Washington law on Oct 20, 2026 · See what changed
What changed
Nothing since we began checking Washington’s own pages every week in October 2026.
The usual way: Home-based instruction. Your declaration each year, and a test or assessment kept.
- Ages
- 8 to 18
- Notice
- Each year
- Tests
- Each year
- Set time
- 180 days
What to do
- Declaration of intent to your school district superintendent (from age 8)By Sep 15 (or within two weeks of a public school term starting)Washington’s form or page for it
- A standardized test, or an assessment by a certificated teacher, kept with your records (not sent)Each year
- Teach the subjects belowYou can teach if you have 45 college quarter credits, or a course in home-based instruction, or a certificated teacher’s supervision, or your superintendent’s approval. 180 days a year or 1,000 hours a year.
- Keep test or assessment results; immunization recordsWhat Washington asks you to keep.
Subjects to teach
- Occupational education
- Science
- Math
- Language
- Social studies
- History
- Health
- Reading
- Writing
- Spelling
- Art and music appreciation
Other legal ways
With a private school’s extension program
Enroll in an approved private school’s extension program.
You can teach as your school asks. Your private school sets the days, subjects and tests.
- Enroll with your private school’s extension program (Before you start, then each year)
Sources: app.leg.wa.gov, app.leg.wa.gov, ospi.k12.wa.us
This is a plain summary, not legal advice. Laws change; check with your state or district if you’re unsure. Also see Virginia, West Virginia, or all 50 states + DC.