Homeschooling in Washington
Here are some useful resources that may be helpful as you are getting started.
Power Homeschool’s Homeschooling in Washington site highlights resources, helpful tips, support groups, and so much more!
Homeschool Laws and Requirements in Washington
Each state has different rules regarding a parent’s ability to homeschool their children and all the laws that they must follow.
Homeschool Groups and Support in Washington
Some of the best resources to help homeschool families be successful are homeschool associations, support groups, and co-ops.
How to Start Homeschooling in Washington
If you have decided that homeschool is a good fit for your family, you are probably wondering how to get started with the whole process.
Field Trips Available to Homeschoolers in Washington
The flexibility to go on more field trips is one of the many perks of homeschooling.
Find out what Washington has to offer!
Resources
Homeschool Laws and Requirements in
Washington
Many states have rules and guidelines regarding parents homeschooling their children. Here are some links to help you find information regarding Washington.
Important Considerations for Homeschooling Success
Create a Study Plan
When homeschooling in Washington, it is important to establish a clean environment where distractions are limited for your child to study on a regular schedule. Study routines are valuable for learning discipline. They also help your child stay on track with weekly, monthly and yearly academic goals. Create a schedule and expect your child to stick to it. Modify the schedule when necessary to help your child stay challenged while still able to achieve your expectations.
Read more: 10 Tips to Effectively Homeschool Online
Build Foundational Knowledge
As your child progresses in their studies, addressing gaps in their foundational knowledge will be crucial to their future success. For example, if your child struggles with basic math, it may become nearly impossible for them to master more advanced math concepts until they get help with their basic math challenges. In Acellus courses, Vectored Instruction automatically takes into account a student’s existing knowledge gaps and provides targeted interventions to bridge those gaps. If a student lacks the foundational understanding required for the new concept, the system automatically provides relevant remedial content before proceeding further.
It is crucial that students achieve early success with online learning so that their confidence will grow. Sometimes it may be necessary to place your child into an earlier course so they can begin experiencing success before they are ready to start moving forward with their learning.
Read more: Helping Your Student Excel in Acellus
KEEP RECORDS AND DOCUMENTATION
You should keep thorough records of your child’s education. This will be beneficial when they apply for colleges or jobs after high school. Power Homeschool’s online parent portal automatically makes it easy to track progress, download coursework examples, attendance, and keep transcripts of classes taken.
It is also a good idea to get student ID cards and parent/teacher ID cards. Many retailers and venues offer teacher or student discounts that can be claimed by showing ID cards. A professional student ID card with a good quality identification photo included is also an good way to show that your student is enrolled is a reputable homeschool program.
Resources
Homeschool Support & Groups in Washington
Having a support system will greatly enhance the homeschool process, and Washington offers plenty of opportunities to meet other homeschoolers in your area.
Homeschool associations, support groups, and cooperatives all exist to enhance home education. Washington Homeschool Organization (WHO) is a statewide, membership organization that provide information and support to homeschool families. Membership benefits include free admission to a curriculum event, scholarships, graduation ceremony, and early registration to WHO-sponsored events.
In addition to joining WHO, homeschoolers in Washington have many homeschool support groups and cooperatives to choose from for additional support and ways to meet other families. Homeschool support groups either meet regularly in person or operate solely in an online forum, such as Facebook. Students can also meet other homeschoolers through these support groups. There are many homeschool support groups available in Washington, but a few examples of these homeschool groups include:
- Clark County Home Educators
- Seattle Homeschoolers
- Washington State Secular Homeschoolers
- Tacoma Area Homeschoolers
Homeschool cooperatives, or co-ops, are volunteer-based groups that give homeschoolers opportunities to learn in a group setting alongside peers. Some co-ops are general while other focus on a particular subject, such as STEM. These groups may also be secular or base instruction around religious beliefs. Most of these groups have Facebook pages, so you can find a co-op that fits your family’s needs with a simple Facebook search. WHO also offers a long list of homeschool support groups and co-ops in Washington separated by counties.
Check out our Power Homeschool Parent Support groups!
How to Start Homeschooling in Washington
If you are considering homeschool for your child, you are probably wondering how to begin home education. The first step is to do as much research as you can about the homeschool laws and requirements in Washington to ensure you can abide by all the guidelines. Washington has several steps to establishing your homeschool. Once you file the notice of intent to homeschool, you’ll need to create a homeschool curriculum or select a program.
Power Homeschool is an online homeschool curriculum that provides a variety of courses as well as tools and resources to help both parents and students. Jump-start your homeschool journey with Power Homeschool today!
Resources
Homeschool Field Trips in Washington
One of the many benefits of homeschooling is having more flexibility than a traditional classroom, and often this also means being able to go on more field trips. Washington has many options when it comes to fields trip, but the following are several examples to give you some ideas:
- Olympic Hot Springs in Port Angeles: Found within Olympic National Park, learning about these hot springs will be a great way to see geology lessons come to life.
- Space Needle in Seattle: This field trip is a must for all Washington homeschools. The landmark is over 600 feet tall and features a revolving glass floor and views of downtown and Mount Rainier.
- Pacific Science Center in Seattle: With a planetarium, laser dome, and plenty of interactive exhibits, this science center is sure to be fun for the whole family. Educational programs and special events are also available for more learning fun.
- Maryhill Museum of Art in Goldendale: Home to a range of rotating and permanent exhibitions, this museum is a perfect way for homeschoolers to explore their creative side and learn about world-renowned artists.
- Yakima Valley Museum in Yakima: Explore the region’s culture and history with various exhibits, hands-on activities, guided tours, and summer camps. Exhibits hold collections of artifacts, such as art, agricultural equipment, costumes, geology, and much, much more!
- Northwest Museum in Spokane: Homeschoolers can explore the art, history, and culture or the region through galleries and group tours. Day camps are also available for students of various ages.
- Washington State Capitol in Olympia: Learn about Washington’s government, history, and culture by touring the campus grounds, monuments, and Governor’s Mansion.
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