Homeschool benefits and savings in Issaquah

The Issaquah Recreation Scholarship cuts city class, program, camp, and pass fees by 50%, 70%, or 90%, up to $450 per participant each calendar year. Issaquah residents who meet the income limits qualify, and so do children under 18 living anywhere in the Issaquah School District boundary; the application lists homeschool as a school option.

By Andrew Garber, founder of TheHomeschoolingCompany. Reviewed August 25, 2026.

Who qualifies

1. Lives in Issaquah or its district

   Children, youth, and adults living in Issaquah city limits qualify, and so do children under 18 whose households live within the Issaquah School District boundary.

2. Meets the income limits

   For a household of four, 2026 yearly income limits are $121,150 for 50% off, $78,550 for 70% off, and $47,150 for 90% off, based on the Seattle-Bellevue HUD area.

3. Sends income and address proof

   After you apply, the city asks you to upload a 2025 tax return or W-2s for every earner and a current water, sewer, garbage, or PSE bill. DSHS, foster care, or Head Start letters apply if you have them.

What it is worth

Issaquah reduces each fee by your tier's percentage until the $450 yearly limit per participant is used up.

$100 class at 50% off

$50

$100 class at 70% off

$30

$100 class at 90% off

$10

$500 camp at 90% off (scholarship capped at $450)

$50

Most scholarship per participant in a year

$450

The scholarship does not reserve a spot: registrations are processed in the order received, so register as soon as your application is approved.

From applying to keeping it

1. Any time in the year

   Apply online

   Complete the Recreation Scholarship Program Application on the city's Form Center, listing every household member and who needs funds.

2. After you apply

   Upload proof

   The city contacts you to upload income and address documents, then notifies you once your application is reviewed.

3. After approval

   Register at the reduced fee

   Sign up for classes, programs, camps, and passes and pay your tier's reduced fee.

4. By mid-November

   Use the year's funds

   2026 funds can be used through mid-November, and the award covers activities in the same calendar year only.

What it pays for

Covered

• City recreation classes and programs
• Camps
• Recreation passes

Not covered

• Rentals and birthday parties
• Private lessons
• Adult sport leagues
• Specialty programs with their own scholarships

Who to contact

The city's scholarship team answers questions about eligibility, documents, and application status.

scholarships@issaquahwa.gov Scholarship application

Homeschool rules and statewide help in Washington

You must file a declaration of intent by September 15 for the school year, or within two weeks after the start of a public-school quarter or term for a later start.

Washington sets these rules:

• Subjects: Teach occupational education, science, mathematics, language, social studies, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, and art and music appreciation. Provide hours equivalent to the annual program hours per grade for approved private schools under RCW 28A.195.010 and .040.
• Testing: Each year, obtain a state-board-approved standardized test administered by a qualified person or a written assessment by a Washington-certificated person currently working in education.
• Records: Keep annual test or assessment results permanently, along with immunization records. Forward required records if your child transfers to a public or approved private school.
• Teachers: The parent needs 45 college quarter credits or the semester equivalent, a home-instruction course at a postsecondary or vocational-technical institute, supervision by a certificated teacher, or the superintendent’s finding of sufficient qualifications. Teacher supervision includes planned objectives, an average of at least one contact hour per week with the child each month, and progress evaluation; the teacher may supervise no more than 30 children.

Read the Washington homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Washington

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