Homeschool benefits: Washington Community School District
The Washington and WACO Home School Assistance Program pairs home-educating families with board-certified teachers and offers weekly enrichment classes for grades K-8, weekly credit courses for high school students, weekly sports, and parent and student libraries. You can enroll your child over the summer or up to two weeks after each semester begins.
Who qualifies
Teaches your child at home
The program exists to support families who learn together at home, so a homeschooling family is the family it serves.
Enrolls during an open window
Students are accepted over the summer months and up to two weeks after the start of each semester. Outside those windows, call the office to ask about the next start date.
Lives in the area served
The page names the program for Washington and WACO. If you live in another district, ask the office whether you need open enrollment before you sign up.
What the program gives you
These terms come from the program highlights on the Washington Community Schools Home School Assistance Program page.
- Enrichment classes, grades K-8
- Weekly
- Credit courses, high school
- Weekly
- Sports activities
- Weekly
- Parent and student libraries
- Borrow as needed
- Basic skills testing
- Offered
- Public school or community college classes
- Dual enrollment
The page lists no fees, so ask the office whether classes, materials, testing, or field trips cost anything before you enroll.
How to join
- Before you enroll
Contact the office
Call 319-653-5734 or email hsap@washington.k12.ia.us, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., to ask about this year's classes.
- Over the summer
Enroll your child
Summer is the main enrollment window, so your child can start with the first semester's classes.
- First two weeks of a semester
Last chance to join
Enrollment stays open until two weeks after each semester begins.
- Each week
Attend classes and activities
Younger students take enrichment classes, high school students take credit courses, and both can join the weekly sports activities.
What it includes
Included
- Support from board-certified teachers
- Homeschool curriculum and learning materials
- Basic skills testing
- Field trips and service learning
Good to know
The office is by the Federation Bank drive-through
The office door is where the Federation Bank drive-through exits onto Jefferson St., across from Beans Pharmacy. Mail goes to the district central office at 404 W. Main St., Washington, IA 52353.
Who to contact about the program
The program office handles enrollment and answers questions about classes, materials, and dual enrollment. It sits in the basement of Federation Bank, 300 S. Iowa Ave., Washington, IA.
hsap@washington.k12.ia.us 319-653-5734 Program page
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Iowa
You do not have to file a homeschool notice for independent private instruction.
Iowa sets these rules:
- Subjects: IPI must cover mathematics, reading and language arts, science, and social studies at all grade levels. CPI must provide at least 148 days of instruction annually, with attendance on at least 37 days each school quarter; its other rules depend on the option.
- Testing: No standardized testing required for independent option.
- Records: IPI must provide specified instructor, location, authority, and student information on written request; CPI reporting and record rules depend on the option.
- Teachers: Iowa does not require a teaching certificate or degree to homeschool your own child.
Read the Iowa homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Iowa
Questions parents ask
- Can my high schooler earn credit through Washington's HSAP?
- Yes. The program runs weekly credit courses for high school students, and it also offers public school and community college dual enrollment options.
- We missed the summer. Can we still start?
- Yes, if you act within the first two weeks of a semester. After that, plan to enroll for the next semester.
- Does it cost anything?
- The page does not say. It lists no fees, so ask the office whether enrichment classes, credit courses, testing, or field trips carry a charge.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
Local classes cover the subjects they offer. We teach the remaining subjects, so a local class can stay part of the year without becoming the whole curriculum.
$149/month per child after the trial.
Find benefits for your ZIP code