Homeschool benefits in the District of Columbia
The District of Columbia does not offer a public homeschool curriculum allotment. You choose and pay for your child's curriculum.
What the District of Columbia offers homeschool families
DCPS homeschool
What it is worth
Independent homeschooling has no identified DCPS allotment or public-enrollment payment
Who qualifies
- DC homeschooling is private and parent-directed.
- DCPS and charter UPSFF funding follows public enrollment rather than your independently homeschooled child.
- Follow OSSE’s homeschool notice and portfolio requirements; registered homeschool students may access limited services such as AP exam participation.
Rules
- No DCPS homeschool allotment, correspondence payment, ESA, textbook loan, or general public-enrollment payment was identified.
- Limited services do not provide a public-school per-pupil account.
- Special-education Child Find and service-site rules are separate from ordinary homeschool funding.
- OSSE homeschool notice and portfolio requirements remain separate from DCPS enrollment.
Homeschool rules and statewide help in the District of Columbia
You must submit the initial notice at least 15 business days before the first day of home instruction. You must submit the annual continuation notice by August 15 in later years.
The District of Columbia sets these rules:
- Subjects: Provide regular, thorough instruction in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education.
- Testing: No routine standardized test submission is required, but OSSE may request records and review whether the program meets the legal standard.
- Records: District of Columbia requires you to keep a portfolio of the student's work for at least one year and make it available to OSSE when properly requested.
- Teachers: The teaching parent or guardian must have a high school diploma or equivalent, unless OSSE grants a waiver.
Read the District of Columbia homeschooling guide See statewide programs in the District of Columbia
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
Put eligible education funds toward a curriculum that teaches the courses and grades the work. Check the program’s purchasing rules before paying.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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