Homeschooling in the District of Columbia: A Comprehensive Guide

Homeschooling in the nation’s capital is governed by specific regulations managed by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). While DC provides families with the flexibility to educate their children at home, it maintains a structured oversight system that requires annual notification and specific subject coverage.

The Legal Landscape

Homeschooling in DC is regulated under the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR), specifically Title 5-E, Chapter 52. The law defines homeschooling as a program of instruction provided by a parent or legal guardian. Unlike some states that allow families to operate as tiny private schools, DC has one primary legal pathway for home instruction.

Compulsory Attendance

In the District, education is mandatory for children who reach age 5 on or before September 30th of the current school year. This requirement remains in effect until the student reaches age 18. This is a wider window than many other states, requiring early engagement with the regulatory process.

The Home Instruction Pathway

To legally homeschool in DC, you must follow the ‘Home Instruction Program’ requirements overseen by OSSE.

1. File a Notice of Intent (NOI)

Every year, parents must submit a Notice of Intent to Home School to OSSE. This must be done:

• By August 15th for the upcoming school year.
• Within 15 days of starting a homeschool program if moving into the District or withdrawing from school mid-year.
• The NOI can be submitted through the OSSE online homeschool portal.

2. Teacher Qualifications

The parent or legal guardian providing instruction must have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED). There are no requirements for certified teacher status or specific pedagogical training.

3. Required Subjects

DC law is very specific about what must be taught. Your curriculum must include:

• Language Arts
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies
• Health
• Physical Education
• Music
• Art
• Latin or a Foreign Language

While the law requires these subjects, parents have the autonomy to choose the curriculum, textbooks, and methods used to teach them.

4. Record Keeping and Portfolios

Parents are required to maintain a portfolio for each child. This portfolio must be kept for at least one year and must contain:

• Documentation of the child’s work (samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks, creative projects).
• Records of the instruction provided.
• Evidence of ‘thorough and regular’ instruction.

5. Annual Progress Reports

Each year, by August 15th, you must submit an Educational Progress Report to OSSE. This report is a summary of the student’s progress in the required subject areas. While standardized testing is not strictly mandatory for all students every year, it is one way to demonstrate progress. If OSSE determines that a student is not making adequate progress, they may request to review the portfolio or require a meeting with the parents.

Step-by-Step Compliance Guide

1. Submit the NOI: Visit the OSSE Homeschooling website and complete the online NOI form by August 15.
2. Plan Your Curriculum: Ensure your plan covers all nine required subjects, including a foreign language or Latin.
3. Document Daily: Keep a simple log of days instructed and save work samples throughout the year.
4. Build the Portfolio: Organize samples into a binder or digital folder by subject area.
5. File the Progress Report: At the end of your school year (but no later than August 15), log back into the OSSE portal to submit your progress report for the completed year and your NOI for the next year.

School Choice and Financial Assistance

Currently, the District of Columbia does not offer an Education Savings Account (ESA) for homeschoolers. The DC Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) is a voucher program that provides tuition assistance for low-income students to attend private schools, but these funds cannot be used for homeschooling expenses. Homeschooling families in DC are responsible for all costs related to curriculum, testing, and materials.

Special Education Services

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), homeschooled students in DC are generally considered ‘parentally-placed private school students.’ This means they may be eligible for ‘equitable services’ (such as speech therapy) provided by DC Public Schools (DCPS), but they do not have an individual entitlement to the full range of services they would receive if enrolled in public school.

Important Contacts and Resources

• OSSE Homeschooling Office: osse.dc.gov
• DC Code: Title 38, Chapter 2
• Municipal Regulations: 5-E DCMR § 5200