District of Columbia homeschool checklist for this year

Answer two questions and get the year's deadlines with their dates, the notice, testing and records, each linked to the law. Print it or tick it off here.

This is general information, not legal advice; check your state's own page. Laws change, and District of Columbia's own statute and education department are the final word. The links below go straight to them.

Deadlines, forms and amounts checked on October 29, 2026 against the sources linked on this page.

District of Columbia homeschool checklist, school year

Things to do, with their deadlines

At least 15 business days before the first day of home instruction
Complete the Notification of Intent to Homeschool online with OSSE.
Source: OSSE: Apply to Homeschool

The state's own form: Notification of Intent to Homeschool (online, OSSE).

All year

All year
Teach the subjects District of Columbia names: language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, physical education.
Source: OSSE: Homeschooling in the District: Local Requirements
All year
Keep a portfolio for each child with evidence of current work, such as writings, worksheets, workbooks, creative materials and assessments, across a range of subjects. Keep it for at least one year. OSSE may ask in writing to review it, at least 30 days ahead, and the regulation allows no more than two reviews a school year.
Source: OSSE: Student Portfolio Review

If you stop homeschooling

At least 15 business days before you stop
Complete a Notification to Discontinue Homeschooling.
Source: OSSE: Apply to Homeschool

Good habits (not in the law)

Keep a copy of everything you send, and of any acknowledgement you get back, with the date.
Start simple records on day one: the days you teach, the books you read and a few samples of work in each subject. They help if you move, return to school or apply to college.

Dates shown are the next time each deadline comes round from today. Your ticks and answers stay in this browser; nothing is sent.

Where this comes from

OSSE: Homeschooling in the District of Columbia (state agency)
OSSE: Homeschooling in the District: Local Requirements (state agency)
OSSE: Apply to Homeschool (state agency)
OSSE: Student Portfolio Review (state agency)
OSSE: DC Homeschooling regulation, 5-E DCMR chapter 52 (PDF) (state agency)
DC Municipal Regulations, chapter 5-E52 Home Schooling (section list) (the law)
D.C. Code 38-202, school attendance requirements (Council) (the law)
D.C. Code 38-1853.07, Opportunity Scholarship use of funds (Council) (the law)

Checked on October 29, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Laws and forms change; confirm a date with your school district or the state agency before you rely on it. For legal advice, ask a lawyer licensed in District of Columbia; homeschool legal-help organizations and your state's homeschool groups can also point you to help. Something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.