Homeschooling in British Columbia

Yes. Section 12 of BC's School Act gives parents the statutory right to educate their children at home, and section 13 requires homeschooled children to be registered with a school each year.

The Ministry of Education and Child Care publishes a Homeschooling Policy and a Homeschooling Procedures and Guidelines Manual (updated for 2023/24) that explain how registration works. The policy page was last updated in December 2025.

BC families often use 'home education' to mean two quite different things:

• Registered homeschooling – you are fully responsible for your child's program. It isn't inspected, doesn't have to follow provincial standards, and receives no funding.
• Online learning (formerly called distributed learning) – your child is enrolled in a public or independent online learning school. A BC-certified teacher oversees the program, it follows the BC curriculum, and students can earn the Dogwood diploma.

Since July 1, 2023, Provincial Online Learning Schools have served students anywhere in BC, while district online learning schools serve students in their own district. The Ministry's policy is clear that homeschooling and online learning are different.

• Choose a school of registration. It can be your local public school, a school district office or an independent school – some independent schools specialize in registering homeschoolers.
• Register each child by September 30. You must re-register every year while your child is of compulsory age.
• If your child is moving from a school, tell the school you are withdrawing them and make sure the registration is completed with your chosen school.

Registration is optional in the year your child turns 5 and mandatory from the year they turn 6. Failing to register a homeschooled child is an offence under section 13 of the School Act.

BC sets no curriculum, hours or approval for registered homeschooling. Parents supply the whole program and choose their own materials.

The BC curriculum is published online and is a useful reference if your child may later move into an online learning school or a classroom.

There are no required reports, portfolios or tests for registered homeschoolers. The school of registration has no authority to approve or supervise your program.

Your school of registration must offer evaluation and assessment services, and the loan of educational resource materials (it may ask for a deposit). You are free to accept or decline these offers. What materials are available varies between schools and districts.

Keeping your own records – work samples, reading lists and notes on progress – helps if your child later enrols in a school or online program.

Registered homeschoolers can't earn the BC Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood diploma) through homeschooling alone. To work toward the Dogwood, a teen needs to take courses through a school – for example by enrolling in an online learning school, which can be full time or for individual courses.

Graduation requirements start in Grade 10, so many families consider their high school plans by the end of Grade 9.

Colleges and universities set their own admission requirements for homeschooled applicants; check each institution well ahead of applying.

Registered homeschooling receives no government funding beyond the optional loan of resources and assessment services from your school of registration.

Online learning schools are publicly funded, so enrolled students can access teacher support and, depending on the school, learning resources and special education services. If your child has additional needs, ask online learning schools what support they offer before you enrol.

The BC Home Educators' Association (BCHEA) provides information for registered homeschoolers, and there are many regional homeschool groups and co-ops across the province. The Online Learning BC search tool lists online schools and courses if you are comparing enrolled options.