Washington — At a Glance
Official Resources
Washington State has well-defined homeschool laws that give families clear guidance on what's required. The annual process involves a Declaration of Intent, annual assessment, and parent qualification — all manageable once you understand the framework.
Legal Basis
Washington home-based instruction is governed by RCW § 28A.225.010, which provides a specific exemption from compulsory attendance for home-based instruction.
Step 1 — Annual Declaration of Intent
Each year by September 15th, you must file a Declaration of Intent to Provide Home-Based Instruction with your local school district superintendent.
If you begin homeschooling after September 15, file within 2 weeks of starting.
Your declaration must include:
- Child's name and age
- Parent/guardian name and address
- A brief outline of the subjects to be covered
The form is simple — many districts have a specific form; others accept a letter. Contact your district's home-based instruction coordinator.
Keep a copy of what you send and any confirmation you receive.
Step 2 — Required Subjects
Washington requires instruction in the following subjects:
- Occupational Education
- Science
- Mathematics
- Language (written and spoken English)
- Social Studies
- History (including U.S. history)
- Health
- Reading
- Writing
- Spelling
- Music
- Art / Visual Arts
No specific curriculum or teaching method is mandated.
Step 3 — Attendance Requirements
Washington requires home-based instruction for at least 1,000 hours per year over 180 days. This works out to approximately 5.5 hours per school day.
Keep a log of your daily instructional hours to document compliance.
Step 4 — Parent Qualifications
Washington is one of the few states with specific parent qualification requirements. You must meet at least one of the following:
- Teaching certificate: Hold a valid Washington State teaching certificate.
- 45 college credits: Have earned at least 45 college semester credits.
- Supervised by a certificated teacher: Have your home instruction supervised by a certificated person who agrees in writing to supervise.
- Deemed qualified by the school board: The local school board determines you are qualified based on other criteria.
- Approved by the superintendent: Demonstrate to your superintendent that you are qualified.
The most common path for parents without a teaching certificate: the 45 college credit option (many parents meet this without realizing it) or the certificated supervisor option (often a homeschool co-op instructor or local educator who agrees to supervise).
Step 5 — Annual Assessment
Washington requires an annual assessment of your child's educational progress using one of these options:
- Nationally normed standardized test: Administered by a qualified person (not the parent). Results must be kept on file.
- Portfolio assessment: Conducted by a certificated teacher who reviews the student's work and provides a written assessment.
Assessment results are kept in your own records — you do not submit them to the school district.
Compulsory School Age
Washington's compulsory attendance age is 8 through 18. Children under 8 are not legally required to attend school.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don't meet any of the qualification requirements? Use the certificated supervisor option — find a Washington-licensed teacher who will agree in writing to supervise your home instruction. This is common through homeschool co-ops. Contact Washington Homeschool Organization (WHO) for help finding a supervisor.
Does Washington allow participation in public school activities? Washington law (RCW § 28A.150.350) allows homeschooled students to participate in extracurricular activities at their home-zone public school, subject to the same eligibility requirements as enrolled students.
Is the 1,000-hour requirement per child or for the whole family? Per child. If you have multiple children, each child needs 1,000 hours of instruction.
What if I start homeschooling in the middle of the year? Prorate the hours requirement for the portion of the year remaining.
Key Resources
- WA Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction — Homeschool
- Washington Homeschool Organization (WHO)
- HSLDA — Washington
Enate helps Washington homeschool families stay organized
Track attendance, plan lessons, and manage your curriculum — all in one place.