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Washington Homeschool Information

—Homeschool In Washington—

Homeschooling in Washington

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Find Out What the State Says About Home Education

Washington School Choice

Click above for general information on the school choice.

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Washington Office Public Instruction

Click above for the state Education Information.

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Washington Homeschool Summary

Here’s a concise yet thorough overview of Washington State homeschooling (“Home-Based Instruction” or HBI) laws for families:

🏫 1. Compulsory Attendance

  • Applies to ages 8–18, or younger if the child was already enrolled in public school. Children under 8 are exempt until their 8th birthday

2. Declaration of Intent

  • Must file annually by September 15 or within two weeks of the start of any public-school quarter/trimester/semester.

  • Submit to the superintendent of your school district (or a non-resident district if transferring). Form requires only basic info: child’s name & age, parent’s name & address, and indication of whether a certified teacher is supervising

3. Parent Qualification

You must fulfill one of the following:

  • Have 45 college-level quarter credits (about 30 semester hours),

  • Complete a parent qualifying course,

  • Use a certificated WA teacher who supervises and meets weekly, or

  • Be deemed qualified by your local superintendent

4. Instructional Requirements

  • Teach 11 subject areas (occupational education, science, math, language, social studies, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, plus art & music appreciation)

  • Provide 1,000 instructional hours per year (Grades 1–12) or 450 hours (Kindergarten), typically over ~180 days

  • Requirements are liberally construed, meaning no rigid daily schedules or lesson plans are mandated

5. Assessment & Testing

Annually (ages 8–18), you must use one of:

  • A standardized achievement test approved by the State Board (administered by a qualified test administrator), or

  • A written academic assessment by a currently working Washington-certified teacher

  • Results are kept by the family, not submitted to the district, unless requested during transfers or legal proceedings .

  • If progress is insufficient, parents must make a “good faith effort” to address deficiencies

6. Record Keeping

  • Maintain immunization records and any instructional records, including test/assessment reports.

  • No formal submission is required unless the district requests them for formal enrollment, custody issues, or similar reasons

7. Part-Time Public School Access

  • Homeschoolers may take public school courses, and access ancillary services (e.g., counseling, speech therapy, sports) tuition-free, while continuing homeschool instruction

8. Diploma & Graduation

  • Homeschooled students do not receive a Washington State Diploma, but parents may issue their own diploma if high school credits meet state graduation requirements. Transfer credits may need district approval

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In Washington State, families have two solid legal pathways if they want to homeschool through a private school’s accredited or approved online program:

🏛️ 1. Extension Program of a Washington-Approved Private School

  • What it means: You enroll your child in an extension of a Washington Board of Education-approved private school, which may also be accredited.

  • The private school takes legal responsibility by supervising your homeschool program under its umbrella

  • You must comply with that school’s requirements—curriculum, reporting, assessments—as part of their extension model .

  • Under this model, you file your annual Declaration of Intent as usual, but your oversight comes via the extension program rather than purely parental control.

🌐 2. Approved Washington Private School with Online Program

  • Washington allows in-state private schools to run online components, but they must maintain a physical facility in WA—fully online schools located only outside Washington are not approved .

  • These schools must meet state health, safety, curriculum, and teacher certification requirements, and optionally pursue third-party accreditation 

  • If a school meets SBE approval, families can enroll full-time or part-time—tuition-free if it’s public, or tuition-based if private. They’re treated as private school students rather than homeschoolers, but if part-time, parents still retain homeschool status .

 

🗣️ In Practice: What Homeschoolers Say

  • There are four qualifying paths, not just the college-credits one

  • Testing can be standardized or portfolio-based; scores stay with the family

  • Participation in public school is common—for classes like art, band, STEM labs, etc.—while still maintaining homeschool status

Washington K-12 School Choice

HOMESCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL 3A
💰 Tax‑Advantaged Savings: 529 Plans

  • GET (Guaranteed Education Tuition)

    • A state‑backed prepaid 529 plan that locks in current tuition rates, usable at any accredited institution—including private colleges or some apprenticeships

  • DreamAhead (WA529 Invest)

    • A typical 529 investment plan offering tax-free growth and withdrawals for qualified higher-education expenses

  • Federal Rule on K–12 Withdrawals

    • Federal law allows up to $10,000/year per child in tax-free withdrawals from 529 plans for K–12 tuition at private schools

Washington School Choice

Here’s a concise overview of Washington State’s current school choice options and funding resources available for private and homeschool families:

🎓 Public‑Sector Choice & Support

  • Open Enrollment
    You can apply to attend public schools outside your zoned district via intra‑ and inter‑district open enrollment—subject to space availability

  • Charter Schools
    Washington has a limited number of publicly funded charter schools, offering an alternative to typical public schools .

🏫 Private & Homeschool Funding: Education Savings Accounts (ESA)

  • “Students First” Education Savings Account (HB 1615)

    • Proposed to create ESAs managed by the Washington Student Achievement Council, allowing eligible K–12 students to receive public funds for private school tuition, homeschool expenses, textbooks, tutoring, and more 

    • Allocation estimates: up to $20,600 for students with disabilities and about $10,000 for other students

    • Open to families withdrawing from public school and using funds for alternative education options 

    • Status: As of early 2023, the bill had a hearing but has not been enacted into law—so ESAs are not currently available.

🏠 Homeschool Funding via Public Programs

  • Parent‑Partnership Programs
    Public “partnership” programs run by many districts (about 23 in WA) allow hybrid arrangements where homeschoolers:

    • Are enrolled in the district,

    • Teach core subjects at home,

    • Access up to six on‑campus classes per week,

    • Receive a small supply stipend (~$175/year) 

  • Independent Homeschooling
    Families homeschooling outside of these programs receive no direct funding. There is no state voucher, ESA, or tax credit currently available for purely independent homeschoolers 

Homeschool Resources for Washington

Homeschooling has been part of education for centuries. In earlier times, it was simple to begin without worrying about rules or oversight. Today, however, homeschooling regulations vary by state, and some families may find it more challenging to get started. That’s why NFC Academy provides helpful state-specific pages outlining homeschool laws—to guide and support you as you begin your journey.

In areas with stricter requirements, having reliable support is important. Organizations like the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) offer valuable legal guidance and protection, helping families stay informed and confident. With the right tools and resources, homeschooling can be a rewarding and manageable experience, no matter where you live.

Homeschool Legal Defense Association

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Information on this page is intended for informational purposes for homeschool families in the specific state. The information supplied does not, nor is it intended to, provide specific legal advice. For specific legal advice, we recommend you consult an attorney.  Membership with Homeschool Legal Defense may provide legal information for your situation, but you may prefer a local private attorney to review your situation to provide specific legal advice. The information provided was assisted in writing by AI.