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District of Columbia

Moderate

Homeschool legal: ✅ Yes ·Last verified: 2026-03 ·State code: DC

Overview

Instruction days
No minimum requirement
Legal status
Homeschooling is legal in this state
Regulatory body
Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)
Official website
https://osse.dc.gov/service/homeschooling-district-columbia

Notice Requirements

Notice required
Yes — notice must be filed
Deadline
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.
Frequency
Annual — must re-file each school year
Reporting
No reporting required

Assessment Requirements

Assessment required
No — assessment is optional

Curriculum & Qualifications

Required subjects
Language artsMathematicsScienceSocial studiesArtMusicHealthPhysical education
Teacher qualifications
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.
Portfolio
Portfolio must be maintained and may be reviewed

Additional Notes

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.

Tips for Homeschooling in District of Columbia

  1. 1

    File your notice on time: "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.". Set a calendar reminder 2 weeks before to prepare documents.

  2. 2

    No formal assessment is required in District of Columbia. Consider voluntary portfolio tracking to document your child's progress for college applications.

  3. 3

    Teacher qualification note: 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.. Keep a copy of your credentials with your homeschool records.

Open District of Columbia Checklist →

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and may not reflect the most current regulations. Always verify requirements directly with Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) or a qualified education attorney.