Washington Homeschool Deadlines & Calendar

Initial filing deadline

September 15 of each school year, or within two weeks of the start of any public school quarter if beginning mid-year

Annual renewal deadline

September 15 of each school year, or within two weeks of the start of any public school quarter if beginning mid-year

Send to

superintendent of the local school district

RCW 28A.200.010(1)(a) (declaration of intent to provide home-based instruction)

Frequency

annual

Option 1: Standardized achievement test approved by the State Board of Education (SBE maintains approved list including Iowa Assessments, Stanford, Woodcock-Johnson, Wechsler, ACT, PSAT/SAT, and others) administered by a qualified person. No minimum score required. Option 2: Annual written assessment by a certificated person currently working in education who determines whether the child is making reasonable progress. If progress is inadequate, parent must make a 'good faith effort' to remedy any deficiency (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(c)). Results retained by parent; not required to be submitted proactively.

See our full assessment guide for Washington for accepted test types and scoring details.

RCW 28A.200.010(1)(c) (annual standardized test or assessment by certificated person)

Annual renewal

Required by September 15

Annual Declaration of Intent must be filed by September 15. No regular progress reports beyond the annual declaration. Test results must be available but proactive submission is not required.

RCW 28A.200.010(1)(a) (annual declaration of intent)

These deadlines are for Standard Home-Based Instruction (45 College Credits). Washington offers 5 pathways, and each may have different deadlines:

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  Standard Home-Based Instruction (45 College Credits)(this page): You file a Declaration of Intent with your local superintendent by September 15 and teach at home. You must have at least 45 college-level quarter credits (about 30 semester credits) from any field. Required subjects include reading, writing, math, science, social studies, and several others. Your child must be tested or evaluated annually (no minimum score), and you must log 1,000 instructional hours per year. The most common Washington pathway.
• •
  Home-Based Instruction (Approved Course): You complete a course in home-based instruction at a postsecondary institution or vocational-technical institute, then file a Declaration of Intent by September 15. Same subject, instructional hour, and assessment requirements as the standard pathway. This pathway exists for parents who do not have 45 college credits but can complete a qualifying course.
• •
  Home-Based Instruction (Certified Teacher Supervision): You teach at home under the supervision of a certificated person (certified under chapter 28A.410 RCW), and file a Declaration of Intent by September 15. The statute requires a minimum average of one contact hour per week with your child and planning of objectives. The supervising teacher may oversee up to 30 children. Same subject, instructional hour, and assessment requirements as the standard pathway. Good for parents who lack college credits but know a certificated teacher willing to supervise.
• •
  Home-Based Instruction (Deemed Qualified by Superintendent): You request that your local superintendent deem you qualified to provide home-based instruction, then file a Declaration of Intent by September 15. The superintendent makes a case-by-case determination based on your education, experience, and instructional plans. Same subject, instructional hour, and assessment requirements as the standard pathway. A fallback option for parents who do not meet the other three qualification pathways.
• •
  Private School Extension Program: You enroll in a private school extension program that handles administrative filings, recordkeeping, and compliance on your behalf. No separate Declaration of Intent or parent credential is required. The private school provides oversight and coordinates assessment. You teach at home under the school's guidance. Best for families who want hands-off compliance management or who do not meet the instructor qualifications for the standard pathways.

Our wizard calculates the right deadlines for your pathway. Compare all pathways for Washington