PrimerStart free
Home › Homeschool by state › District of Columbia
District of Columbia · low regulation

How to Homeschool in District of Columbia

Notify OSSE by filing a notice of intent within 15 business days of starting and by Aug 15 annually. Keep a portfolio of records; OSSE may review.

Is homeschooling legal in District of Columbia?

Yes — homeschooling is legal in every U.S. state. District of Columbia is a low-regulation state, meaning you file a one-time notice or declaration, with no ongoing testing or reporting. Children roughly ages 5–18 must be enrolled in school or a legal homeschool.

How to get started

In District of Columbia, you register through OSSE home-schooling notification. File the notice of intent with OSSE; renew by Aug 15 each year and keep a portfolio.

Official filing resource: OSSE home-schooling notification

What District of Columbia asks of homeschooling families

Specific deadlines and details can change year to year and vary by district — always confirm the current rules with your district or state.

Primer keeps District of Columbia homeschooling simple

Primer tracks every District of Columbia deadline for you, helps generate the paperwork (notice of intent, attendance and hours logs, and more), and gives your whole family one shared weekly planner — on Mac, iPhone, iPad, and the web.

Start your 14-day free trial

No credit card to start · One subscription covers your whole household · Cancel anytime

A quick, important note. This guide is general information to help you get oriented — it isn't legal advice. Homeschool requirements change and can vary by local school district. Always confirm the current rules with your school district or your state's Department of Education before you file. Last reviewed 2026-06-10.