Washington Homeschool Documents & Templates

What to file

simple notice

Send to

superintendent of the local school district

Deadline

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

How often

annual

Free-form letter accepted?

Yes. You can write your own letter instead of using an official form.

Declaration of Intent must include name and age of each child, parent/guardian name, family address, statement of intent to provide home-based instruction, and specification of qualification pathway. This is a notification, not a request for approval. If the family moves to a new district mid-year, a new Declaration must be filed. No fee.

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

Status

Required if your child is currently enrolled in school

Send to

superintendent of the local school district and the child's current school

File Declaration of Intent with the district superintendent and notify the child's current school. If withdrawing mid-year, the declaration must be filed within two weeks of the beginning of any public school quarter. Obtain the child's educational records from the school.

RCW 28A.200.010(1)(a) (declaration filing); RCW 28A.225.010(4) (compulsory attendance exemption for home-based instruction)

Deadline

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)

• ✓Attendance records

Parents must maintain: (1) standardized test results or assessment records, (2) immunization records, (3) instructional hour logs demonstrating 1,000 hours met. Records are private and need not be shared with any state agency. RCW 28A.200.020 affirms broad parental autonomy. Records must be forwarded to any school the child later transfers to (RCW 28A.200.010(1)(b)). Upon transfer to public school, the superintendent may request records and determine grade placement.

RCW 28A.200.010(1)(b) (test scores, assessments, and immunization records must be forwarded upon transfer); RCW 28A.200.010(1)(c) (assessment records)

This page covers Standard Home-Based Instruction (45 College Credits). Washington offers 5 different ways to homeschool, and each may require different documents:

• •
  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 helps you choose the right one and generates the correct documents. Compare all pathways for Washington