Homeschooling in Wyoming: the law and how to start

Yes. Wyoming law recognizes a home-based educational program — a program of education provided by a child's parent or legal guardian in the home — as a way to meet compulsory attendance (W.S. 21-4-101 and 21-4-102). The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) has a homeschooling page for families.

Wyoming is now one of the least regulated states. Before July 1, 2025, homeschooling families had to submit a curriculum to their local school board every year. The Homeschool Freedom Act (2025 House Bill 46) removed that requirement, along with the provision that treated a missing submission as evidence of non-compliance.

Families can also enroll in a private or parochial school, which is a separate route under compulsory attendance.

• Plan your program. Choose materials that cover the required subjects (see below). There is no state form to file and no approval step.
• If your child has never been enrolled in school, you don't need to notify the school district.
• If your child is enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are withdrawing your child to a home-based educational program, so they aren't treated as absent. Keep a copy.
• Keep simple records of what you teach. They aren't filed with anyone, but they help if your child returns to school or applies to college.

Some school district websites still describe the old annual curriculum submission. That requirement ended on July 1, 2025.

Wyoming law defines a home-based educational program as a basic academic educational program that provides a sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, civics, history, literature and science.

The law doesn't prescribe a curriculum or set days or hours for home-based programs. You choose your materials, schedule and approach.

Wyoming does not require standardized tests, portfolio reviews or other evaluations for home-based educational programs, and since July 2025 there's no annual curriculum filing either.

Keeping your own records is still a good idea: a short description of each year's curriculum, samples of work, and any test results you choose to obtain. These help if your child enrolls in a school later.

If your child receives a Steamboat Legacy Scholarship (ESA), check the program's own requirements, which are separate from homeschool law.

In a home-based program, you decide when your teen has finished high school and can issue your own diploma and transcript. Keep course titles, credits and grades from grade 9 onward.

If your teen plans to take college courses during high school or apply for state scholarships, contact the college or the scholarship program early to learn what documentation homeschooled students need.

Wyoming law (W.S. 21-4-506) lets a school-age resident of a district who isn't enrolled full time take part in activities the district offers that are sanctioned by the Wyoming High School Activities Association (WHSAA). Students must not be under suspension or expulsion, must follow district and WHSAA rules, and may be charged fees no higher than those paid by full-time students; the district can't charge tuition.

2026 change: House Bill 23 (Enrolled Act 17, 2026 budget session) broadened this law for homeschooled, private school and ESA students, effective July 1, 2026 and applying from the 2026–27 school year. Reporting during the session said an amendment removed the bill's original grades 6–12 limit. Ask your district how it is applying the new law.

If you think your child may have a disability, contact your school district: under the federal IDEA, districts must locate and evaluate children who may need special education, including homeschooled children. Ask what services the district offers.

Wyoming's Steamboat Legacy Scholarship is an education savings account (ESA) run by the Wyoming Department of Education. Under the 2025 Steamboat Legacy Scholarship Act (House Bill 199), eligible students receive $7,000 a year for approved education expenses such as tuition, curriculum and tutoring. K–12 students who are Wyoming residents and not enrolled in a public school can apply, with no income limit; pre-K applicants face an income cap.

Homeschooling families can use the ESA for approved costs. Approved purchases go through the program's service providers and rules, so read the WDE's current guidance before you budget.

Status for 2026–27: A Laramie County judge blocked payments in July 2025 while a lawsuit challenging the program proceeds. In May 2026 the Wyoming Supreme Court lifted that injunction, and payments have resumed, but the constitutional challenge was still pending in district court as of fall 2026. The WDE says the 2026–27 application window has closed. Check the WDE's ESA page for the next cycle and any changes from the court case.