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🏠 Homeschooling in Washington State
Parent-Led Education: Homeschooling is a legal educational option in Washington State where parents serve as the primary teachers for their children. Unlike online schools where certified teachers provide instruction, in homeschooling the parent or guardian is responsible for teaching and directing all education.
⚠️ Critical Distinction: Homeschool means YOU are the teacher. If you want certified teachers to teach your child while learning from home, see our page on Online Public Schools instead. Many families confuse these two very different options.
Overview: What Is Homeschooling?
Homeschooling (also called home-based instruction) is an educational approach where parents take direct responsibility for teaching their children at home rather than enrolling them in a formal school. Parents choose the curriculum, set the schedule, and provide all instruction.
Quick Facts
- Legal Status: Legal in all 50 states, including Washington
- Who Teaches: Parent or guardian (YOU)
- Cost: Variable (curriculum materials, resources - typically $300-$1,500/year)
- Curriculum: Parent's choice (must cover required subjects)
- Schedule: Parent's choice (very flexible)
- State Oversight: Moderate (annual declaration, testing or assessment)
- Parent Qualifications: Required (see below)
Parent Qualifications
Washington requires parents/guardians who homeschool to meet ONE of the following qualifications:
Option 1: College Credits
Complete at least 45 college-level quarter credits OR 30 semester credits
Option 2: Parent Qualification Course
Complete a parent qualifying course in home-based instruction (offered by various organizations)
Option 3: Supervised Instruction
Be supervised by a certificated teacher, working with a WA state-certified teacher who meets with you weekly to review instructional materials and student progress
Important: These qualifications are to ensure the parent is prepared to BE the teacher. This is not about supervising online learning—this is about actually teaching the material yourself.
Washington State Requirements
Annual Declaration
By September 15 each year (or within two weeks of starting), parents must file a Declaration of Intent to Provide Home-Based Instruction with their local school district. The declaration includes:
- Name and age of child
- Parent qualification status
- Planned instruction details
Required Subjects
Instruction must include (at appropriate grade levels):
- Occupational education
- Science
- Mathematics
- Language (grammar, reading, writing, spelling)
- Social studies
- History
- Health
- Reading
- Writing
- Spelling
- Development of appreciation of art and music
Instructional Hours
- Must provide instruction equivalent to public school hours
- Must occur on a regular basis during school year
- Specific daily schedule flexible
Annual Assessment
Parents must ensure academic progress is assessed annually using ONE of these methods:
- Standardized achievement test administered by qualified person
- Evaluation by WA certificated teacher
- Evaluation by advisory board (approved by superintendent)
Results must be maintained but do NOT need to be submitted to school district.
What Homeschooling Is and Is Not
| Homeschooling IS |
Homeschooling IS NOT |
| Parent teaches the child |
Enrolling in online school with teachers |
| Parent chooses curriculum |
Following a school's curriculum |
| Complete flexibility in schedule |
Attending scheduled virtual classes |
| Parent responsible for all instruction |
Supervision while child does online lessons |
| May use online resources as TOOLS |
Having someone else teach via computer |
Common Misconception: Using Khan Academy, Time4Learning, or other online programs while you supervise is STILL homeschooling if YOU are directing the education. These are tools you use as the teacher. If you want professional teachers to teach your child, see Online Public Schools.
Advantages of Homeschooling
✅ Strengths
- Complete Curriculum Control: Choose what, when, and how to teach
- Total Flexibility: Schedule that works for your family
- Individualized Pace: Move faster or slower based on child's needs
- One-on-One Attention: Personalized instruction
- Family Values: Integrate your beliefs and values
- Efficient Learning: Less time spent on non-instructional activities
- Travel Opportunities: Learn while traveling
- Safe Environment: Control over social influences
- Running Start Eligible: Can participate in 11th-12th grade
- Customized Approach: Tailor to your child's learning style
Challenges and Disadvantages
⚠️ Considerations
- Parent Must Teach: Significant time commitment (YOU are the teacher)
- Parent Qualifications Required: Must meet one of three qualification paths
- Financial Costs: Curriculum, materials, resources ($300-$1,500+/year)
- Limited Socialization: Must proactively arrange peer interactions
- No Support Services: No counselors, specialists, or special education
- Parental Expertise: Parent must be knowledgeable across all subjects
- Work Limitations: Difficult to work full-time while homeschooling
- Limited Resources: No free access to school facilities, libraries, labs
- Record Keeping: Parent responsible for all documentation
- College Preparation: More work to document for college applications
Who Homeschooling May Serve Well
Homeschooling works well for families who:
- Have a parent available to teach during school hours
- Want complete control over curriculum and values education
- Need maximum flexibility (travel, irregular schedules, health issues)
- Have strong commitment to being the primary educator
- Can afford curriculum costs and loss of income if parent leaves workforce
- Are willing to arrange socialization opportunities proactively
- Have confidence in their teaching abilities across subjects
- Want to educate at child's pace (gifted or struggling learners)
Step-by-Step: How to Start Homeschooling
Step 1: Ensure You Meet Qualification Requirements
Verify you have: 45 quarter credits (or 30 semester credits) OR complete parent qualification course OR arrange for certificated teacher supervision
Step 2: Choose Your Approach and Curriculum
- Research homeschooling methods (classical, Charlotte Mason, unschooling, etc.)
- Select curriculum materials for required subjects
- Budget for materials ($300-$1,500+ annually)
- Plan your daily/weekly schedule
Step 3: File Declaration of Intent
- Complete the declaration form
- Submit to your local school district
- Deadline: By September 15 or within 2 weeks of starting
- Must be filed annually
Step 4: Begin Instruction
- Start teaching according to your chosen curriculum
- Cover all required subjects
- Maintain records of work and progress
- Provide instruction on regular basis throughout school year
Step 5: Annual Assessment
- Choose assessment method (test, teacher evaluation, or advisory board)
- Complete assessment annually
- Maintain results (not submitted to district)
- Use results to inform next year's instruction
Curriculum Options
Complete Curriculum Packages
- Abeka
- Bob Jones University Press
- Sonlight
- Oak Meadow
- Calvert School
Online Programs (You Still Teach)
- Khan Academy (free)
- Time4Learning
- Teaching Textbooks (math)
- IXL
- Duolingo (languages)
Mix-and-Match Approach
Many families combine materials from different sources, creating customized curricula for each child.
Socialization and Activities
Homeschooling families arrange socialization through:
- Co-ops: Groups of homeschool families meeting regularly
- Classes: Art, music, sports, STEM classes for homeschoolers
- Field Trips: Group educational outings
- Sports Teams: Community leagues, homeschool sports organizations
- Youth Groups: Church, scouts, 4-H, etc.
- Community Activities: Library programs, community center classes
High School and College
Running Start - Homeschoolers ARE Eligible!
🎓 YES! Homeschool Students Can Do Running Start!
This is one of the best-kept secrets in homeschooling: homeschool students are fully eligible for the Running Start program in 11th and 12th grade. Here's how it works:
- Simple Process: Enroll with your local public school district as "intent to homeschool"
- Keep Homeschooling: You continue homeschooling for your high school requirements
- Add College Classes: Take college classes at Big Bend Community College or other WA colleges
- State Pays Tuition: Up to 21 credits per quarter, completely free
- Dual Credit: College credits can count toward your homeschool high school requirements AND your future college degree
- Huge Savings: $20,000-$40,000+ in college costs saved
This is a GAME-CHANGER for homeschool families. You get the flexibility of homeschooling PLUS free college education.
Learn more about Running Start for homeschoolers →
Running Start
Homeschool students ARE eligible for Running Start in 11th-12th grade, allowing them to take college classes for dual credit.
College Admissions
Homeschool students can and do attend college successfully. Requirements:
- Maintain detailed transcripts of coursework
- Take SAT or ACT exams
- Document learning through portfolios or course descriptions
- Obtain strong letters of recommendation
- Consider community college credits for transcript strength
Comparison: Homeschool vs. Online Schools
| Aspect |
Homeschool |
Online Public Schools |
| Who Teaches |
Parent/guardian |
WA-certified teachers |
| Live Classes |
No (parent teaches) |
Yes, scheduled virtual classes |
| Curriculum |
Parent chooses |
School provides |
| Cost |
Parent pays ($300-$1,500+) |
Free (public school) |
| Flexibility |
Complete |
Scheduled classes |
| Parent Role |
Teacher |
Learning Coach (support) |
| Parent Qualifications |
Required |
Not required |
Resources and Support
Washington State Resources
- OSPI Homeschool Page: www.k12.wa.us - Official state requirements
- Washington Homeschool Organization (WHO): State advocacy and support
- Local School District: File declaration here, ask questions about requirements
Curriculum Providers
- Research online: "homeschool curriculum reviews"
- Attend homeschool curriculum fairs
- Connect with local homeschool co-ops
- Join homeschool Facebook groups for recommendations
Local Support
- Moses Lake area homeschool groups (search Facebook)
- Regional homeschool co-ops
- Library programs for homeschoolers
- Homeschool sports and activities organizations
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool?
No. You need to meet one of the three qualification requirements (college credits, parent course, or teacher supervision), but you do NOT need a teaching certificate.
Can my child participate in public school activities?
Washington law allows homeschool students to participate in some public school activities and classes on a part-time basis, but this varies by district. Contact your local district for their policy.
Can homeschoolers go back to public school?
Yes. Students can return to public school at any time. The school will evaluate placement based on age, previous work, and assessment.
How much does homeschooling cost?
Typically $300-$1,500+ per year for curriculum and materials, but costs vary widely based on curriculum choices. There are also free and low-cost options available.
What if I'm not good at math/science/other subjects?
Consider: (1) using complete curriculum programs with teacher guides, (2) joining co-ops where parents teach their specialties, (3) using online programs for challenging subjects, or (4) hiring tutors for specific subjects.