How to Start Homeschooling in District of Columbia

Required hours

No state minimum

Required subjects

8 subjects

Notice

Required each year

Testing / evaluation

Not required

Portfolio

Required

Jump to the full District of Columbia requirements for plain-English detail on each of these.

Step by step

1. 1

   Understand District of Columbia's homeschool law

   District of Columbia has light but formal homeschool requirements with no mandated hour or day minimums, and you'll file notice with the state Department of Education.

2. 2

   Withdraw from public school (if enrolled)

   District of Columbia handles the transition from public school at the state level: send a withdrawal letter to the child's current school, then file a notice of intent directly with the state Department of Education. Homeschool Fox generates a compliant withdrawal letter from your family's details in a few clicks.

3. 3

   File your notice of intent

   Yes, District of Columbia requires you to file notice of your intent to homeschool. You must notify the state Department of Education. The notice is filed again each school year.

4. 4

   Plan your subjects

   District of Columbia requires instruction in language arts, math, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education. Beyond these requirements, you have flexibility to add subjects that interest your family.

5. 5

   Set your hours or days target

   District of Columbia does not mandate a specific number of instructional hours. Families have flexibility in determining their own schedule and pace of learning.

6. 6

   Plan for assessment and records

   Under 5-A DCMR 5205.1, families keep a portfolio of the student's current work showing thorough, regular activity in a range of subjects. 5205.2 says it "should be maintained for at least one year." OSSE doesn't collect it. It may ask in writing to review the portfolio, no more than twice in a school year, at a time and place you both agree on (5206.1).

7. 7

   Track your hours and keep records

   Log activities as they happen so hours, attendance, and subject coverage build up automatically. Homeschool Fox lets you log from your phone or by voice and generates a District of Columbia-specific compliance report when you need it.

Free District of Columbia printables

Three 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.

Free tool

Calculate your homeschool pace

District of Columbia doesn't set a minimum. If you want a personal target, 900 hours/year is a common one. Enter your end date to see the pace.

What Homeschool Fox tracks for District of Columbia

The records District of Columbia asks you to keep, plus the rest of your year, in one place. No spreadsheets, no lost notebooks.

• Required subjects
• Portfolio records
• Daily activity logs
• Printable PDF reports
• Progress tracking
• High school transcripts

More District of Columbia guides

• District of Columbia Homeschool Requirements Hours, notice, assessment, and subjects at a glance.
• 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.
• How to Withdraw From School in District of Columbia The steps, the letter, and timing to avoid truancy issues.
• Moving to District of Columbia What to file when you arrive and whether your records transfer.
• Public School Sports in District of Columbia Whether homeschoolers can play, what it takes, and who to ask.
• Required Subjects in District of Columbia The list, how much time each needs, and proving you taught them.
• District of Columbia Letter of Intent Who to file with, when it's due, and a free generator.
• District of Columbia Homeschool Portfolio What belongs in it, who can ask to see it, and a printable checklist.