Catholic Homeschooling in Washington
How to Homeschool in Washington
There are two different ways to home educate your children in Washington:
1. Homeschool under the homeschool statute by meeting the teacher qualifications, filing a notice of intent, teaching the required numbers of days and subjects, and conducting an annual assessment. The assessment may be completed by either a standardized test or an evaluation by a certificated person.
2. Homeschool with a private or denominational school through enrollment in an extension program of the approved private school. In this case, you would have to comply with all of the private school’s requirements.
In this respect, Washington has moderate homeschool regulation compared to other states.
Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Home School Information
Washington state law recognizes the desire of some parents and families to seek a home-based instruction (HBI) for their children. OSPI offers technical assistance to school districts that are working with parents seeking to exercise this educational right.
The Pink Book: Washington State Laws Regulating Home-Based Instruction
This provides more explanation and frequently asked questions about home-based instruction in Washington.
State Board of Education List of Approved Standardized Tests
These tests qualify for the annual assessment required of homeschooled students in Washington.
How to Comply with Washington’s Homeschool Law
How to Withdraw Your Child from School in Washington
Special Education Provisions for Washington
The Importance of Recordkeeping in Washington
Lobbying & Advocacy Organizations
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
HSLDA is the nation’s largest homeschool advocacy organization. They protect the rights of homeschoolers in court, advocate for homeschool freedom in state legislatures, and work to advance homeschooling in the public arena.
Christian Heritage Home Educators of Washington
This homeschool support organization ministers to the needs of Christian homeschoolers in the state. They provide resources and information to homeschooling families in Washington.
Christian Homeschool Network (CHN) – Washington Christian Homeschooling Legislative Liaison Organization
CHN is a statewide grass-roots organization dedicated to protecting the God-given right of parents to homeschool their children in Washington State without government interference. They provide information to the legislature, government agencies and homeschool families on current homeschool laws, any proposed legislation before the state legislature and Congress that could impact the choice to homeschool, along with information on current controversial issues and how they affect homeschool regulations and freedoms.
Family Learning Organization
FLO advocates for home-based education, encourages homeschooling families, helps preserve the freedoms of parents to educate their children, and serves as a means of communication and networking.
Washington Homeschool Organization (WHO)
The Washington Homeschool Organization (WHO) is a statewide, non-profit membership organization. Its mission is to serve the diverse interests of home-based instruction (the legal name for homeschooling) in Washington State.
Catholic Homeschool Support Groups
KitCat Homeschoolers
Kitsap County, WA
This homeschool support group serves the Catholic homeschooling community of Kitsap County, WA. You’ll find resources to connect with other homeschoolers through activities, events, and other helpful links from “around the Sound” relevant to homeschool families.
Saint Joseph Catholic Homeschool Group
Pierce and South King County, WA
Saint Joseph Catholic Homeschool Group was founded in the 1990s. Today, there are approximately 80 families who belong to Saint Joseph Catholic Homeschool Group. Most of the families live in Pierce or South King County. The families belong to various Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of Seattle and are faithful to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.
Saint Thomas More Home Educators (STMHE)
Western Washington, Puget Sound Area
STMHE is a welcoming Catholic homeschooling group serving Western Washington especially the greater Puget Sound area. They offer support in navigating the homeschool process, advocacy, parent education, and educational opportunities for their children.
Stella Maris Homeschooler’s Group
Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Bremerton, WA
This homeschool group offers support for homeschooling parents and meet ups for events and activities.
St. Joseph Home Educators
Everett, WA
This is a parish-based support group for Catholic Homeschooling Families of Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Perpetual Help parishes in Everett, Washington.
St. Joseph Homeschool Group
St. Joseph Catholic Church Latin Mass Parish FSSP, Tacoma, WA
This homeschool group serves the parish’s homeschooling families through a promotion of Catholic culture, activities, liturgical celebrations, field trips, and enrichment activities.
Catholic Homeschool Co-ops
Classically Catholic Memory Co-op
Edmonds, WA
CCM is a Catholic homeschool memory work program, classical in nature covering religion, Latin, science, math, history, geography, and language. Classically Catholic Memory is a memory work program that is both Catholic and classical in nature. It is designed for children ages 5 through 12, and each year of the program provides 18 weeks of memory work in each subject. CCM is run as a co-op model.
Holy Family Moms Group Homeschool Co-op
Yakima, WA
This Catholic homeschool co-op offers monthly field trips and monthly Catholic activities for Catholic homeschooling families in Yakima. Activities are geared towards children ages 3-8, but children of all ages are welcome.
Do you know of any Catholic homeschool co-ops near you? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Hybrid Programs & Homeschool Academies
Catholic Schoolhouse
Anacortes, Puyallup, Kitsap Peninsula, Spokane, Seattle, Vancouver, WA
Catholic Schoolhouse is a supplemental program designed to help homeschool families enrich their educational experience through a flexible approach to learning inspired by classical elements, presented in a structured environment. Grammar students study the same topics at all ages creating family unity. The whole family has a place at Catholic Schoolhouse. Older students in the dialectic and rhetoric stage meet for discussion and activities that are best done in a group setting–all focusing on helping them become effective Catholic adults.
Regina Caeli Portland
Portland, OR
Regina Caeli Academy’s University-Style Hybrid approach offers both a strong family life enjoyed by homeschoolers and a formative, Socratic classroom experience for all students. They offer many extra-curricular activities, as well as college preparatory high school offerings.
Do you know of any Catholic hybrid homeschool programs or homeschool academies near you? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Catholic Homeschool Conferences
The 2024 Catholic Homeschool Conference
Virtual Conference
June 7-8, 2024
Southern California Catholic Home Educators Conference
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Costa Mesa, CA
June 22, 2024
Come to this all day in-person conference. Keynote speaker is Laura Berquist, founder of Mother of Divine Grace School. Other speakers include Laurie Shepardson, Kathryn Anne Casey, Janette Pascua, Kendra Tierney, Monica Ashour, and more! Activities include a used curricula sale, high school track, Mass, speaker dinner, and a vendor hall.
Rocky Mountain Catholic Home Educators Conference
Most Precious Blood, Denver, CO
July 12-13, 2024
This annual conference is independent and local, bringing in speakers from around the country. Featured speakers for 2023 include Maureen Wittmann of Homeschool Connections, Kerri Davison of Holy Heroes, Sara Masarik, and Ana Braga-Henebry. Conference attendees can browse through the vendors hall, go to workshops and talks, and network with other homeschoolers.
Local Classes & Programs for Homeschoolers
Catholic Scouting – Archdiocese of Seattle
National Catholic Committee on Scouting
Catholic Scouting – St. Louise Parish, Bellevue, WA
Catholic Scouting – Sacred Heart Parish, Lacey, WA
American Heritage Girls Catholic Troops
Our Lady of Hope Parish, Everett, WA
Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Bremerton, WA
St. Pius X Catholic Church, Mountlake Terrace, WA
Holy Redeemer Catholic Parish, Vancouver, WA
Troops of Saint George – Yakima, WA
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Woodinville, Tacoma, Kirkland, Spokane, Vancouver, Seattle, Edmonds, Sammamish, Battle Ground, Stanwood, Oak Harbor, Horicon, Gig Harbor, Kennewick, Olympia, Renton, Bothell, White Salmon, Port Townsend, Bremerton, Camas, Mercer Island
CGS is a program focusing on the contemplation and enjoyment of God. It is shared in a place particularly prepared for the religious life of children called the Atrium.
Do you know of any great local classes or programs for Catholic homeschoolers? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Sports for Homeschoolers
Public School Access for Homeschoolers in Washington
Homeschoolers in Washington are deemed “regular members” of the local public school where they have filed their notice of intent to homeschool by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). School districts must permit enrollment of and provide ancillary services for part-time students enrolled in home-based education programs.
Do you know of any great sports programs for Catholic homeschoolers? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Shrines & Pilgrimages in Washington
Shrine of Divine Mercy
Mossyrock, WA
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Byzantine Catholic Shrine
Olympia, WA
St. James Cathedral
Seattle, WA
Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral
Spokane, WA
Do you know of any Catholic pilgrimage sites or shrines that would be perfect for a homeschool field trip? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Field Trips in Washington
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