How to Start Homeschooling in Washington

Required hours

1000 hrs/year

School days (either/or)

180 days/year

Required subjects

12 subjects

Notice

Required each year

Testing / evaluation

Parent's choice (testing or evaluation)

Recordkeeping

Required

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

Step by step

1. 1

   Understand Washington's homeschool law

   Washington has moderate homeschool requirements. Families meet either 1000 hours of instruction or 180 school days, and you'll file notice with your local school district.

2. 2

   Withdraw from public school (if enrolled)

   To withdraw your child from public school in Washington, send a written withdrawal letter to the principal or registrar, then file a notice of intent with your local school district so the transition is on record before instruction begins. Rather than hand-writing the withdrawal letter, Homeschool Fox produces a pre-formatted PDF ready to send to the district.

3. 3

   File your notice of intent

   Yes, Washington requires you to file notice of your intent to homeschool. You must notify your local school district. The notice is filed again each school year.

4. 4

   Plan your subjects

   Washington requires instruction in reading, writing, spelling, language, math, science, social studies, history, health, occupational education, art, and music. Beyond these requirements, you have flexibility to add subjects that interest your family.

5. 5

   Set your hours or days target

   Washington accepts either measure: 1,000 hours of instruction, or 180 school days. Meeting one satisfies the requirement, so pick the one you will actually track and stay with it.

6. 6

   Plan for assessment and records

   Washington requires one annual assessment. Families may use a state-board-approved standardized test given by a qualified tester, or a written assessment prepared by a Washington-certified person working in education. Results aren't submitted to the district.

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 Washington-specific compliance report when you need it.

Free Washington printables

Three ready-to-use PDFs for Washington homeschoolers. No account needed.

Templates, not legal advice. Confirm the current rule with your state or district.

Free tool

Calculate your homeschool pace

Washington accepts 1000 hours or 180 days. If you are counting hours, enter how far you've come and we'll show you the daily pace to finish on time.

What Homeschool Fox tracks for Washington

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

• Hours toward your 1000-hour goal
• Required subjects
• Days attended
• The records Washington asks you to keep
• Parent's choice (testing or evaluation)
• Daily activity logs
• Printable PDF reports
• Progress tracking

More Washington guides

• Washington Homeschool Requirements Hours, notice, assessment, and subjects at a glance.
• Homeschooling High School in Washington Credits, GPA, transcripts, and graduation.
• Record Keeping in Washington What to document, how to organize it, and staying compliant.
• How to Withdraw From School in Washington The steps, the letter, and timing to avoid truancy issues.
• Moving to Washington What to file when you arrive and whether your records transfer.
• Public School Sports in Washington Whether homeschoolers can play, what it takes, and who to ask.
• Homeschool Hours Required in Washington The number, what counts toward it, and the pace to hit it.
• Required Subjects in Washington The list, how much time each needs, and proving you taught them.
• Washington Letter of Intent Who to file with, when it's due, and a free generator.
• Homeschool Testing in Washington What the state asks for, when, and low-score rules.