Homeschool Fox
Washington flag

How to start homeschooling

How to Start Homeschooling in Washington

Washington has moderate homeschool requirements. Families must log at least 1000 hours of instruction per year, and you'll file notice with your local school district.

Start tracking free

Washington at a glance

Required hours
1000 hrs/year
School days
180 days/year
Required subjects
12 subjects
Notice
Required
Testing / evaluation
Parent's choice (testing, portfolio, or evaluation)
Recordkeeping
Recommended

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 must log at least 1000 hours of instruction per year, 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.

  4. 4

    Plan your subjects

    Washington requires instruction in the following subjects: 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 requires a minimum of 1000 hours of instruction per school year. This must be spread over at least 180 school days.

  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 tool

Calculate your homeschool pace

Washington requires 1000 hours/year. Enter how far you've come and we'll show you the daily pace to finish on time.

Leave at 0 if you haven't started tracking yet.

Add your school year end date to see your pace.

Save my state tracking plan

We'll set up your dashboard with Washington's tracking targets. No credit card required.

What Homeschool Fox tracks for Washington

Everything Washington expects you to keep, in one place — no spreadsheets, no lost notebooks.

  • Hours toward your 1000-hour goal
  • Required subjects & core hours
  • Daily activity logs
  • Attendance records
  • Notes & portfolio records
  • Printable PDF reports
  • High school transcripts
  • State-specific progress tracking
Start logging today

More Washington guides

Ready to start homeschooling in Washington?

Set up your Washington-specific dashboard, log your first activity, and watch your hours add up.

Start tracking free

14-day free trial. No credit card required.