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District of Columbia · Some paperwork
District of Columbia asks you to file a notice before you begin. Here is what goes in it, when it is due, and what happens after.
VerifiedMarch 2026
Written from District of Columbia's own rules. If a step is missing below, it is because your state does not ask for it.
Withdraw from the school your child attends now
If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are moving to home education. Keep a dated copy for yourself — it is the record that closes out their enrollment.
Send your notice of intent
District of Columbia asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: Notification of Intent to Homeschool filed at least 15 business days BEFORE beginning instruction (via homeschool.dc.gov). Annual Notification of Homeschool Continuation submitted by August 15 each year. Discontinuation notice required at least 15 business days before stopping. You will do this again at the start of every school year. It goes to Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE).
Cover the subjects the state names
District of Columbia names 8 subject areas to teach. How you teach them, in what order, and with which materials is entirely up to you.
Keep a light record as you go
Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. District of Columbia expects records to be kept for 1 year.
No testing or assessment
District of Columbia does not require a standardized test or an evaluator's review. Plenty of families still keep a folder of work through the year — not because the state asks, but because it makes a transcript or a college application far easier to put together later. A note from the state: No standardized testing required by law. OSSE may request portfolio review up to twice annually. Children may voluntarily participate in DCPS assessments at no cost.
No program on file yet
We do not have a verified District of Columbia education savings account, scholarship, or tax credit for homeschooling families on file. That may mean the state has none, or it may mean we have not confirmed one yet — we would rather say so than point you at something we have not checked. State programs change often, so it is worth asking Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) directly.
Is homeschooling legal in District of Columbia?
Yes. Homeschooling is legal in District of Columbia. District of Columbia has moderate homeschool regulation — some requirements apply but they are generally manageable. Koydo can put the dates your state lists on your calendar.
Do I need to file a Notice of Intent to homeschool in District of Columbia?
Yes. District of Columbia requires families to file a Notice of Intent by Notification of Intent to Homeschool filed at least 15 business days BEFORE beginning instruction (via homeschool.dc.gov). Annual Notification of Homeschool Continuation submitted by August 15 each year. Discontinuation notice required at least 15 business days before stopping.. This notice must be renewed annually.
How many instruction days are required in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia does not mandate a minimum amount of instruction time.
What subjects are required by law in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia requires instruction in the following subjects: Language arts, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Art, Music, Health, Physical education.
Does District of Columbia require annual assessment for homeschoolers?
No. District of Columbia does not require formal annual assessment. Families may voluntarily track progress for college application purposes.
Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has teacher qualification requirements: Parent or guardian must possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Parents without a HS diploma/GED may petition OSSE for a waiver by providing evidence of their ability to provide thorough and regular instruction. No teaching license required.
Can homeschoolers participate in public school sports in District of Columbia?
Rules about homeschooled students taking part in public school sports and activities differ by state and by district. Check with your local school district and your state athletic association.
DC is a moderate-regulation jurisdiction. The parent HS diploma/GED requirement is unusual for the region (waiver available from OSSE). The 15 business-day advance notice and August 15 annual continuation filing are firm deadlines. Portfolio is kept at least 1 year; OSSE may review up to twice per school year. Notices are filed online through OSSE. Address: 1050 First Street NE, Washington DC 20002. Phone: 202-727-6436. Compulsory attendance runs from age 5 until the child reaches 18 (D.C. Code § 38-202).
The free tools below work whether or not you ever pay us a penny; each tile says what it needs. Use what helps with District of Columbia's requirements and ignore the rest.
Last checked in March 2026. Laws change between checks, so confirm anything you are about to file with Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). This is information for families, not legal advice.