Homeschooling in District of Columbia: the law and how to start

Yes. DC law requires children from age 5 (if they turn 5 by September 30) until 18 to attend school, and homeschooling under OSSE's regulations is a recognized way to meet that requirement.

The rules are in 5 DCMR Chapter 52, adopted by the DC State Board of Education in 2008 and administered by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). There is one homeschool route: you notify OSSE, provide thorough and regular instruction in the required subjects, and keep a portfolio.

If a family does not meet the requirements, the regulation says the child must be enrolled promptly in a school.

• File the Notification of Intent to Homeschool with OSSE at least 15 business days before home instruction begins (weekends and District holidays don't count).
• Wait for OSSE's verification. OSSE says processing takes about ten calendar days, after which it sends a verification letter.
• Withdraw from school. If your child is enrolled in a DCPS or public charter school, tell the school in writing that you are withdrawing them to homeschool, and give a copy of your OSSE notice or verification. Keep your own copies so attendance records are closed correctly.
• Renew every year. Continuing families submit a notice by August 15 identifying each child who will be homeschooled in the coming year.

Your homeschool must provide "thorough and regular" instruction covering at least: English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health and physical education.

The regulation does not set a minimum number of days or hours, and you choose your own curriculum and materials, as long as the instruction is regular and covers these subjects.

DC does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers. Instead, you keep a portfolio showing evidence of current work in a range of subjects — for example writing samples, completed math work and assessments you've given.

Keep each portfolio for at least one year and be ready to share it with OSSE. OSSE gives at least 30 days' written notice before a portfolio review, and the regulation limits reviews to no more than two in a school year.

OSSE publishes a short "Things to Consider" guide for portfolio reviews, which is worth reading before your first one.

DC's homeschool rules don't set graduation requirements, so you decide when your teen has completed high school and can issue your own diploma and transcript.

Your annual portfolios are a natural base for a transcript: list courses, credits and grades each year and keep course descriptions. Check early what each college asks of homeschool applicants.

DC has no law giving homeschooled students a right to enroll part time or join public school teams. Ask DC Public Schools or the specific school about its policy.

If you think your child may have a disability, contact DC Public Schools: under the federal IDEA, the local education agency must locate and evaluate children who may need special education, including children who are not enrolled in public school.

OSSE answers questions about notices, waivers and portfolio reviews and publishes a homeschool FAQ and handout.

DC families also connect through local homeschool groups and co-ops across the city and nearby Maryland and Virginia, and through DC Public Library programs.