Withdrawing from public school
How to Withdraw From School in District of Columbia
Pulling your child out of public school in District of Columbia to homeschool is usually a short, one-time process. Here are the steps, the letter you send, and how to time it so the district doesn't flag your child as truant.
Start tracking freeHow withdrawal works in District of Columbia
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.
Step by step
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1
Confirm your child is currently enrolled
This guide is for moving a currently enrolled student to homeschooling. If your child has never attended public school in District of Columbia (a kindergartner you're starting at home, for example), there's usually nothing to withdraw from. A quick call to the school confirms their status.
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2
Send a written withdrawal letter to the school
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.
Download the free District of Columbia withdrawal letter -
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.
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4
Keep dated copies for your records
Save a copy of the withdrawal letter and anything you file, noting the date you sent it. If the district ever asks about attendance, dated proof that you withdrew on time is what closes the question.
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5
Set up your homeschool
With the withdrawal handled, the rest is starting your homeschool: planning subjects, setting an hours or days target, and keeping records. Your next stop is the how-to-start guide for District of Columbia.
Read the District of Columbia how-to-start guide
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.
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
More District of Columbia guides
- District of Columbia Homeschool Requirements Hours, notice, assessment, and subjects at a glance.
- 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.
- Moving to District of Columbia What to file when you arrive and whether your records transfer.
- Homeschool Testing in District of Columbia What the state asks for, when, and low-score rules.
Withdrawn? Start your District of Columbia homeschool
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