District of Columbia homeschool requirements
Track your District of Columbia homeschool requirements without spreadsheets
Homeschool Fox helps you understand District of Columbia's requirements, log activities, track progress, and generate records when you need them.
District of Columbia at a glance
Verified June 2026- Required hours
- No state minimum
- Required subjects
- 8 subjects
- Notice
- Required
- Testing / evaluation
- Portfolio review
- Portfolio
- Required
Jump to the full District of Columbia requirements for plain-English detail on each of these.
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District of Columbia doesn't mandate a minimum. Use 900 hours/year as a general guide to stay on pace.
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What Homeschool Fox tracks for District of Columbia
Everything District of Columbia expects you to keep, in one place — no spreadsheets, no lost notebooks.
- Required hours or days
- Required subjects & core hours
- Daily activity logs
- Attendance records
- Notes & portfolio records
- Printable PDF reports
- High school transcripts
- State-specific progress tracking
See it work
Log a homeschool day in seconds
Type or speak what you did in plain English. Homeschool Fox sorts it into subjects, adds up the time, and updates your District of Columbia progress automatically.
You write
Homeschool Fox logs
- Reading 45 min
- Math 30 min
- History / Social Studies 20 min
Today's total
1 hr 35 min
Your District of Columbia requirements, in plain English
Tap any item for the details.
Notice requirements
Required
Required hours
Flexible
Required subjects
8 subjects
Testing / evaluation
Required
Recordkeeping & portfolio
Portfolio required
Withdrawing from public school
Letter + notice
Full guide
Homeschooling in District of Columbia: the complete guide
District of Columbia takes a light-touch approach to homeschool law, with the main expectation being a one-time filing so local officials know a family is teaching at home. Because the compulsory attendance age in District of Columbia runs from 5-18, families plan their homeschool schedule around that window.
Because District of Columbia law doesn't specify hours or school days, the shape of a homeschool year is a family decision. A common internal benchmark is 900 hours a year, loose enough to accommodate life's interruptions but firm enough to keep a program moving forward.
Before instruction begins, or promptly at the start of each school year, families in District of Columbia submit a notice of intent to the state Department of Education. Filing at the state level keeps the process out of the district's hands, which is a welcome simplification for families who move between districts.
The District of Columbia assessment requirement (portfolio review annually) is usually straightforward to plan around, especially if families track activities consistently through the year. Portfolio records are a core part of the District of Columbia homeschool year. Families keep samples of work, a log of activities, and evidence of instruction in required subjects, reviewed by a certified teacher or evaluator.
District of Columbia expects instruction in language arts, math, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education. How those subjects show up day-to-day is entirely a family's call. Tracking District of Columbia compliance doesn't have to mean spreadsheets and reminder alarms. Homeschool Fox turns everyday logs into the year-end reports evaluators and districts expect.
Notice requirements
Notice is required
You must notify the state Department of Education of your intent to homeschool.
Need a head start? Use the free Notice of Intent generator to draft a District of Columbia-ready letter.
Deeper guides: how to write a notice of intent to homeschool covers the language admins look for, and when and where to file your notice of intent covers state-by-state deadlines and recipients.
Generate your notice of intentWithdrawing from public school
Washington, D.C. requires notice to OSSE at least 15 business days before you begin, then an annual continuation notice by August 15. Notify the current school so attendance reflects the change, and keep a copy. Maintain a portfolio; OSSE may request a review up to twice a year with at least 30 days' written notice.
For the play-by-play, how to withdraw your child from public school walks through the conversation, the timing, and the paperwork. What to send the district when you pull your child covers exactly what the letter should and shouldn't say.
Assessment requirements
Assessment is required
- Type:
- Portfolio review
- Frequency:
- Annually
Standardized testing for homeschoolers walks through which test to choose, where to register, and how to prep. If District of Columbia lets you choose between portfolio review and a test, homeschool portfolio reviews vs standardized tests covers when each option is the better call.
Portfolio & records
Portfolio is required
Under 5-A DCMR 5205, families keep a portfolio of the student's educational materials showing regular activity across the required subjects for at least one year. OSSE doesn't collect the portfolio — it reviews it on request, no more than twice per school year, with at least 30 days' written notice (5-A DCMR 5206.1).
Building a high-school transcript? Start with our free transcript template. Homeschool portfolio reviews vs standardized tests covers what evaluators actually look at and how to curate samples without drowning in worksheets.
Required subjects
District of Columbia requires instruction in the following subjects.
Looking for curriculum?
Browse our curriculum directory to find the right fit for your family, then track your hours with Homeschool Fox to stay compliant with District of Columbia's requirements.
Additional notes
Notify OSSE 15 business days before starting, then file an annual continuation notice by Aug 15. Maintain a portfolio of educational work for at least 1 year. OSSE may request a portfolio review up to twice per school year, with at least 30 days' written notice. DC does not impose a minimum day count or daily attendance logs.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to notify anyone to homeschool in District of Columbia?
How many hours do I need to homeschool in District of Columbia?
Does District of Columbia require testing for homeschoolers?
Do I need to keep a portfolio in District of Columbia?
What subjects must I teach in District of Columbia?
Nearby states
View all statesWant the cross-state comparison? Homeschool laws by state covers the legal regime in every state side by side.
Free District of Columbia printables
Two ready-to-use PDFs for District of Columbia homeschoolers. No account needed.
Templates, not legal advice. Confirm the current rule with your state or district.
Reviewed and sourced
Last verified: June 2026. We review District of Columbia's requirements against official sources and update this page when the rules change.
Sources
Homeschool Fox is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We turn public homeschool requirements into practical tracking tools for families. Always confirm details with your state or a qualified advisor.
More District of Columbia guides
- How to Start Homeschooling in District of Columbia A step-by-step guide from withdrawal to your first logged day.
- Homeschooling High School in District of Columbia Credits, GPA, transcripts, and graduation.
- Record Keeping in District of Columbia What to document, how to organize it, and staying compliant.
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