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Homeschool laws · State guide

Homeschooling in District of Columbia

D.C. requires notice to OSSE before homeschooling and an annual continuation notice by August 15, eight subject areas, a portfolio available for OSSE review, and a parent with a high school diploma or a waiver.

Last checkedAgainst Statute + state sources

District of Columbia at a glanceLevel: Low

Notice to the state
Yes
Submit OSSE's Notification of Intent at least 15 days (excluding weekends and District holidays) before starting, and a continuation notice by August 15 each year (5-E DCMR §§5202–5203).
Testing
No
No testing requirement; the regulations provide for voluntary participation in standardized testing (5-E DCMR §5209).
Record-keeping
Required
Keep a portfolio of each child's work for at least a year, which OSSE may review up to twice a school year (5-E DCMR §§5205–5206), and a daily attendance record (D.C. Code §38-203(a)).
Immunization
Not required
Immunization rules cover school and child-care attendance, not parent-directed homeschooling (D.C. Code §§38-501–38-502; 5-E DCMR Ch. 52). They apply if your child enrolls in school.
Required subjects
Yes, 8
Language arts, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Art, Music, Health, Physical education
Instruction time
'Thorough, regular instruction of sufficient duration'
no hour count; 5-E DCMR §5204.1
Parent qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent, or an OSSE waiver on evidence of ability to provide thorough, regular education
5-E DCMR §5207
Compulsory school age
5 (by September 30) until 18
D.C. Code §38-202

Ways to homeschool here: Home schooling under 5-E DCMR Chapter 52 (OSSE)

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Overview

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) administers D.C.’s homeschooling regulations (5-E DCMR Chapter 52), which apply to residents from age 5 to 18. Parents may not provide home instruction to other parents’ children and are not required to use a specific curriculum (OSSE).

Requirements at a glance

  • Notice: Submit OSSE’s Notification of Intent to Homeschool at least 15 days (excluding weekends and District holidays) before home instruction begins; file a continuation notification by August 15 each year; give 15 days’ written notice (excluding weekends and District holidays) before discontinuing. (5-E DCMR §§5202–5203; OSSE)
  • Testing or assessment: No testing requirement; the regulations provide for voluntary participation in standardized testing (5-E DCMR §5209).
  • Records: Keep a portfolio for each child with evidence of current work (writings, worksheets, workbooks, creative materials, assessments) for at least one year; OSSE may request to review it, no more than twice a school year. (5-E DCMR §§5205–5206) Keep an accurate daily attendance record available for inspection. (D.C. Code §§38-201(2A), 38-203(a))
  • Subjects: Language arts, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Art, Music, Health, Physical education
  • Instruction time: ‘Thorough, regular instruction of sufficient duration’ (no hour count; 5-E DCMR §5204.1)
  • Parent/teacher qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent, or an OSSE waiver on evidence of ability to provide thorough, regular education (5-E DCMR §5207)
  • Compulsory attendance ages: 5 (by September 30) until 18 (D.C. Code §38-202)

If OSSE finds after a portfolio review that a child is not receiving thorough, regular education, it sends a Notification of Deficiencies and the parent responds with a Corrective Action Plan within 30 days (excluding weekends and District holidays) after the date of the notice (5-E DCMR §5208).

Sources

This page summarizes the statutes and official pages listed in the sources block, as read on the last-checked date. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm current requirements with your state or local education agency.