District of Columbia · Some paperwork

Homeschooling in District of Columbia

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

Notice of intentFile every yearNotification 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 15 days before stopping.

Yearly assessmentNot required

Instruction timeNo minimum set

RecordsKeep 1 year

How to start homeschooling in District of Columbia

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 15 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.

Source: Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) — osse.dc.gov/service/homeschooling-district-columbia. Checked March 2026.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it: Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)
When it is due: 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 15 days before stopping.
How often: Every school year
Notarized?: No
Official form: homeschool.dc.gov/
Ongoing reporting: None

Source: Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) — osse.dc.gov/service/homeschooling-district-columbia. Checked March 2026.

Testing, portfolios and reviews

No yearly assessment

District of Columbiadoes 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.

Source: Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) — osse.dc.gov/service/homeschooling-district-columbia. Checked March 2026.

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects: Language artsMathematicsScienceSocial studiesArtMusicHealthPhysical education
Instruction time: District of Columbia sets no minimum number of days or hours.
Who may teach: 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.
Keeping records: Keep your records for 1 year.
Legal routes: Single pathway: File Notification of Intent via homeschool.dc.gov at least 15 business days before starting. File Annual Notification of Homeschool Continuation by August 15 each year. Maintain portfolio documenting student work across all required subjects (retain 1 year). OSSE may request portfolio review up to twice per year. Parent must hold HS diploma/GED or obtain OSSE waiver.

Source: Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) — osse.dc.gov/service/homeschooling-district-columbia. Checked March 2026.

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Diplomas: DCPS does not issue diplomas to students not enrolled in public school. DC homeschoolers may earn diplomas through accredited correspondence, online, or private school programs. Parent-issued diplomas are accepted by many colleges. GED is available as an alternative credential. Students who re-enroll in DCPS may earn a DCPS diploma upon meeting graduation requirements.
College admissions: DC-area colleges (Georgetown, GWU, Howard, American, Catholic University, UDC) accept homeschool applicants. SAT/ACT scores strongly recommended. Parent transcripts with course descriptions and portfolio samples are standard. DCPS AP exam participation (from 2023–24) can strengthen high school applications.
Support for additional needs: Students receiving specialized instruction or related services under DCPS enrollment lose access to those services upon withdrawal for homeschooling. OSSE notes explicitly that special education services tied to public school enrollment are unavailable to homeschoolers. Child Find evaluations may be requested; limited IDEA proportionate share services may be available. Contact OSSE for guidance.

Source: Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) — osse.dc.gov/service/homeschooling-district-columbia. Checked March 2026.

Money your family can claim in District of Columbia

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.

See the states where funding is confirmed →

Questions parents ask about District of Columbia

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 track your compliance automatically.

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 15 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?

District of Columbia does not have a statewide law guaranteeing homeschoolers access to public school sports. Participation may be at individual district discretion. Check with your local school district.

Source: Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) — osse.dc.gov/service/homeschooling-district-columbia. Checked March 2026.

Worth knowing about District of Columbia

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 retention of 1 year is required; OSSE may review up to twice per year. The online portal at homeschool.dc.gov centralizes all filings. Email: osse@dc.gov. Address: 1050 First Street NE, Washington DC 20002. Phone: 202-727-6436. AP exam access at DCPS starting 2023–24 is a valuable high school option. Compulsory ages: 5–18.

Source: Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) — osse.dc.gov/service/homeschooling-district-columbia. Checked March 2026.

Who to ask in District of Columbia

Regulator: Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)
Official site: osse.dc.gov/service/homeschooling-district-columbia
Phone: 202-727-6436
Forms: homeschool.dc.gov/

Free tools for your first year

Everything below works whether or not you ever pay us a penny. Use what helps with District of Columbia's requirements and ignore the rest.

Transcript builderBuild a clean high-school transcript with GPA and credits, ready to send to a college.Paperwork generatorFill in your details and get the letter or affidavit your state expects, already worded for it.Printable worksheetsPrint practice pages by grade and subject for the days a screen is the wrong answer.Instruction day logTick off days as you go so the count is already done when your state asks for it.State fundingSee whether your state puts education money in your hands, and how to claim it.Starting guideThe whole first year in five steps, written for someone who has never done this before.

Other states

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho All 51 →

This page was written from District of Columbia's published rules and 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.

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