Homeschool benefits and savings in Vancouver

The City of Vancouver's Everybody Plays scholarship pays 50% of tuition for the city's homeschool classes at Firstenburg Community Center, so a $74 eight-week class costs you $37. Families inside Vancouver city limits qualify when monthly household income is under 60% of area median, such as $6,205 for a household of four. Other options include recreation and camp discounts.

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

Vancouver homeschool program scholarship

Who qualifies

1. Lives in Vancouver city limits

   You must live or own residential property inside Vancouver city limits. Your property tax bill or the city's limits map shows whether your address counts.

2. Earns under 60% of median

   Gross monthly household income must be below the city's limit, which is based on 60% of HUD area median income for your household size.

3. Applies as parent or guardian

   A parent or legal guardian fills out the application and uploads residency and income documents for every adult 19 or older in the home.

4. Child meets the class ages

   Homeschool classes run for ages 4-18, and an approved scholarship covers every child in the household who meets a class's age range.

What it is worth

These are the resident fees for fall 2026 homeschool classes at Firstenburg Community Center, with the scholarship paying half.

PE, drama, or soccer, 8 weeks ($74)

$37

Youth and teen climbing, 8 weeks ($124)

$62

STEM Tales, 6 weeks ($60)

$30

Two children in $74 classes

$74

Non-resident fee for a $74 class, no scholarship

$93

The scholarship is not retroactive, so any class you registered for before the award reached your account stays at full price.

From applying to registering

1. Before you apply

   Check your address and papers

   Confirm you are inside city limits, then gather a state ID with a current utility bill and the last 30 days of pay stubs for each working adult.

2. Any time in 2026

   Apply online

   Submit the 2026 Recreation Scholarship application, available in English, Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese. Processing takes up to one week, and incomplete applications are denied.

3. After approval

   Register for classes

   Sign up through the city's registration site. The discount is applied automatically, and seats are first come, first served.

4. Each new year

   Apply again

   An award lasts for the rest of the calendar year, so you reapply for the next year.

What it pays for

Covered

• Homeschool class tuition
• Other classes, camps, and leagues for ages 18 and under
• Every eligible child in the household

Not covered

• Community center memberships
• Daily drop-in fees
• Registrations made before approval
• Families outside city limits

The homeschool classes are secular, elective-style, mostly one hour long, and run in sessions of about eight weeks; some assign outside reading.

Who to contact

Firstenburg Community Center hosts the homeschool classes and answers questions about class registration and the scholarship.

parksrecculture@cityofvancouver.us 360-487-7001 Homeschool Program page

Vancouver Recreation Scholarship and homeschool program

Who qualifies

1. Lives in the city

   The scholarship is only for households living or owning a home inside Vancouver city limits, shown with a state ID or license and a current utility bill.

2. Has qualifying household income

   Total gross monthly income of all adults must be under the limit for your household size, set at 60% of area median income by HUD.

3. Child is 18 or younger

   Youth ages 18 and under qualify, as do adults with developmental disabilities in Access to Recreation programs.

4. Parent or guardian applies

   You must be the child's parent or legal guardian, which can include a grandchild who lives with you more than half the year under IRS rules.

What it is worth

The 2026 application sets these limits at 60% of HUD area median income, counting every adult's gross monthly income.

1 person

$4,342

2 people

$4,963

3 people

$5,583

4 people

$6,205

5 people

$6,700

6 people

$7,196

Foster children qualify automatically: the foster parent sends proof of the child's foster status and foster income plus proof of Vancouver residency, with no household income needed.

From applying to keeping it

1. Before you apply

   Prove your address

   Each adult 19 or older uploads a state ID or driver's license and a current utility bill showing a Vancouver service address.

2. Before you apply

   Gather income proof

   Use the last 30 days of pay stubs, benefit award letters, child support statements, or self-employment earnings, or a statement explaining why you have no income.

3. Any time in 2026

   Submit the application

   Send the online 2026 application. The city takes up to a week, and missing documents lead to a denial you can fix by reapplying.

4. When you register

   Get the discount

   Your household receives the half-price rate automatically on eligible programs registered after the award is on your account.

5. Each January

   Reapply for the new year

   You do not reapply during the calendar year, but a 2026 award does not carry into 2027.

What it pays for

Covered

• Registration-based classes
• Camps and sports leagues
• Homeschool Program classes
• Access to Recreation programs

Not covered

• Firstenburg and Marshall memberships
• Fitness services
• Daily drop-in fees
• Registrations made before the award

Scholarships, grants, and financial aid do not count as household income on the application.

Who to contact

The department's community center staff answer questions about the application, eligibility, and special circumstances, with phone interpretation on request.

parksrecculture@cityofvancouver.us 360-487-8311 2026 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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