Guide to Homeschooling in Wyoming

Resources

Wyoming Homeschool Laws and Requirements

Before beginning to homeschool in any state, you should read up on the laws to ensure you can abide by the requirements. In Wyoming, parents will need to submit a letter of intent and overview of your curriculum, which must cover several required subjects. For more detailed information about the homeschool laws and requirements in Wyoming, the Home School Legal Defense Associationand the Wyoming Department of Education are both reliable resources.

RECORD KEEPING

Although Wyoming only requires parents to submit a letter of intent and curriculum overview, we recommend keeping detailed records of their children’s education. This will make it easier for the student when it comes to applying for colleges or jobs after high school. Power Homeschool’s parent portal lets you monitor progress, track attendance, establish goals, and download transcripts, all through an easy-to-use app.

HOMESCHOOL STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS IN WYOMING

Wyoming state laws do not require homeschoolers to participate in standardized testing or annual assessments. Some parents, however, use them to measure their students’ progress against those of traditionally schooled peers. There are various nationally normed tests that homeschoolers can take, such as the ACT or PSAT. Additionally, the Proficiency Assessments for Wyoming Students (PAWS) measures the reading, math, writing, and science skills of students in third through eighth grade, as well as eleventh grade.

HOMESCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS IN WYOMING

The Wyoming Department of Education does not establish the graduation requirements of homeschool students. Rather, homeschool parents are responsible for setting these guidelines as well as issuing high school diplomas. Some colleges and employers may require homeschoolers to take the General Educational Development (GED) test for eligibility. We recommend that parents research the requirements of potential colleges and jobs early on in their high school studies.

Resources

Homeschool Associations & Support Groups in Wyoming

One of the most helpful resources available to homeschoolers is the supportive networks of people that offer advice, resources, special events, and much more! Homeschool associations, support groups, and cooperatives (co-ops) all offer different things but were established to enhance home education.

Wyoming has a statewide homeschool association called Homeschoolers of Wyoming (HOW). Although it is a Christian organization, HOW offers resources and events open to all families in Wyoming. Membership perks include updates on homeschool law, legal advice, discounted admission to the yearly convention, newsletters, and a discounted membership to the HSLDA. HOW can also connect you with other homeschool families in your area.

In addition to a homeschool association, Wyoming is home to plenty of homeschool support groups and co-ops. Homeschool support groups come in a variety of forms. For example, some operate primarily via Facebook, while others meet in person regularly. Several examples of homeschool support groups include:

• Black Hills Catholic Home Educators
• Big Horn Basin Home Schoolers
• Sublette County Home Schoolers
• Star Valley Home Educators

On the other hand, homeschool co-ops provide homeschoolers with group-learning opportunities. These groups are volunteer-based, and parents usually take turns teaching the group. Some homeschool co-ops are general, some focus on particular subjects, and some give faith-based instruction. Since many homeschool support groups and co-ops have Facebook pages, you can find something that fits your family’s needs with a simple search query.

Check out our Power Homeschool Parent Support groups!

• Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody: With five museums to tour, homeschoolers can explore the Wild West, Plains Indian culture, Buffalo Bill, and much more. Field trips and educational resources are also available for students of all ages.
• Nicolaysen Art Museum and Discovery Center in Casper: This art museum is full of paintings, sculptures, pottery, and many other pieces of fine art. Various educational and children’s programs are provided to children’s gain hands-on experience and explore their creative side.
• Grand Teton National Park in Teton County: Explore the wonderful wildlife, lakes, and terrain of Wyoming with hikes, ranger programs, and visitors center.
• National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson: With a diverse collection of paintings, sculptures, photography, and more, this museum allows homeschoolers to learn about both art and wildlife.
• Yellowstone National Park: As the oldest and one of the largest national parks, Yellowstone has millions of acres to explore with the whole family.
• Grand Encampment Museum in Encampment: Learn about the region’s history and past cultures by touring exhibits, artifacts, and historic building. Students will see firsthand what life was like in the early days of the American West.
• Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne: Learn about Wyoming history and culture with various exhibits of Native American artifacts, dinosaur fossils, coal mining, and so much more. Family days and special events are also available.
• Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne: In addition to the Wyoming State Museum, homeschoolers can learn about Wyoming by touring the state capitol building. Visitors can tour the state’s capitol and exquisite architecture while learning about their state’s government.
• Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum in Rawlins: Homeschoolers can tour Wyoming’s first state penitentiary, which incarcerated over 13,000 people throughout 80 years in operation. This field trip makes a great addition to social studies or history lessons, as students tour prison cells, solitary confinement, and factories.