Thinking of homeschooling your child in Washington State? Whether you’re just exploring the idea or ready to pull your child out of public school, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to legally and successfully homeschool in Washington as of 2025.
Washington is one of the most homeschool-friendly states in the U.S., but it does have clear legal requirements. Don’t worry—we’ll go step by step.
✅ Step 1: Know the Compulsory Education Age
- In Washington State, children between the ages of 8 and 18 are subject to compulsory education laws.
- If your child is under 8, you’re not required to file a declaration of intent or meet homeschool requirements yet.
📖 Washington State Law Overview – WHO
✅ Step 2: Meet the Legal Qualifications to Homeschool
To legally homeschool in Washington, the parent must meet one of the following qualifications:
- Have 45 college quarter credits (approximately 30 semester credits)
- Complete a parent qualifying course approved by the superintendent of public instruction
- Work with a Washington State-certified teacher who supervises the instruction for at least one hour per week
- Receive approval from the local school superintendent
📖 Legal Requirements – Christian Heritage WA
✅ Step 3: File a Declaration of Intent
- Starting the year your child turns 8, you must file a Declaration of Intent annually by September 15.
- File the form with your local school district superintendent.
- The form must include:
- Child’s name and age
- Parent’s name and address
- Qualification method (e.g., college credits, teacher supervision)
📄 Declaration of Intent Form Example – WHO
📌 Important: You are not required to list your curriculum or submit to home inspections.
✅ Step 4: Teach the Required Subjects
Washington law requires homeschoolers to provide instruction in the following 11 subjects:
- Reading
- Writing
- Spelling
- Language
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social studies
- History
- Health
- Occupational education
- Art and music appreciation
📚 WA Homeschool Law Summary – HSLDA
✅ Step 5: Provide a Full School Year of Instruction
- You must teach for at least 180 school days per year or a total of 1,000 hours of instruction.
- There is no requirement to submit attendance records, but keeping personal logs is highly recommended.
✅ Step 6: Annual Testing or Evaluation
Each homeschooled student must complete one of the following every year:
- Standardized test approved by the state board, administered by a qualified individual
- Academic progress evaluation written by a certified teacher in Washington State
🧪 Testing Options – Time4Learning
📌 Note: Keep a record of the test results or teacher evaluation, but you do not need to submit them to the school district.
✅ Step 7: Keep Records
You’re responsible for maintaining basic homeschool records. These include:
- Copy of each year’s Declaration of Intent
- Standardized test results or teacher evaluations
- Immunization records or exemption forms (only required if your child will participate in public programs)
🛠 Helpful Resources & Support Groups
🎓 Washington Homeschool Organization (WHO)
- The state’s largest homeschool advocacy group
- Offers conferences, legal updates, forms, and curriculum help
🔗 https://washhomeschool.org
🛡 Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
- Legal support and guidance for homeschool families
🔗 https://hslda.org
🧑🏫 Christian Heritage WA
- Christian-based homeschool support, events, and legal resources
🔗 https://christianheritagewa.org
📝 Final Thoughts
Homeschooling in Washington State is a rewarding and fully legal educational choice—as long as you follow the key requirements each year. Don’t let the law intimidate you! Once you’ve filed your Declaration of Intent and built your routine, homeschooling can be incredibly flexible and joyful.
Need a printable checklist or Declaration form?
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📥 Download the Washington State Homeschool Declaration of Intent
This official Word document can be used when starting homeschooling for your child in Washington State.
📄 Download Word Template (.docx)
