Free, plain-language homeschool rules for all 50 states, DC and Australia. Every page is checked against official government sources and watched for law changes.

United States · Homeschool rules

Homeschooling in District of Columbia

What the law asks of you, in plain language, with links to the official sources so you can check every line.

Moderate requirements Notice required Last verified May 26, 2026

At a glance

Notice

Required

Curriculum

See details

Testing

See details

Teacher

See details

Overview

Homeschooling in Washington DC is governed by DC Code section 38-1702.02. DC requires annual notification to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education and annual assessment. The process is more structured than many states but forms are available online making compliance manageable.

Telling the authorities

Notice is required

Who: DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)

When: Before beginning homeschooling and annually by September 1

How to do it

Submit a Home School Notification form to the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education. Annual renewal required. Forms available at osse.dc.gov.

Requirements

Curriculum
Must provide instruction in English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and health.
Testing
Annual assessment required. Options include standardised test or portfolio review. Results submitted to OSSE.
Record keeping
Must maintain records of instruction and assessment results.
Teacher
https://osse.dc.gov/service/home-school-notification

Recent changes

DC requires annual notification and assessment. The OSSE process is straightforward with forms available online. Requirements have been stable in recent years.

Still have a question about District of Columbia?

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How we keep this page accurate

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General information, not legal advice. Always confirm with your school district or education department.