How to Withdraw From Public School in District of Columbia

How withdrawal works in District of Columbia

Step by step

1. 1

   Confirm your child is currently enrolled

   This guide is for moving a currently enrolled student to homeschooling. If your child has never attended public school in District of Columbia (a kindergartner you're starting at home, for example), there's usually nothing to withdraw from. A quick call to the school confirms their status.

2. 2

   Send a written withdrawal letter to the school

   District of Columbia handles the transition from public school at the state level: send a withdrawal letter to the child's current school, then file a notice of intent directly with the state Department of Education. Homeschool Fox generates a compliant withdrawal letter from your family's details in a few clicks.

   Get the free District of Columbia withdrawal letter
3. 3

   File your notice of intent

   Yes, District of Columbia requires you to file notice of your intent to homeschool. You must notify the state Department of Education. The notice is filed again each school year.

4. 4

   Keep dated copies for your records

   Save a copy of the withdrawal letter and anything you file, noting the date you sent it. If the district ever asks about attendance, dated proof that you withdrew on time is what closes the question.

5. 5

   Set up your homeschool

   With the withdrawal handled, the rest is starting your homeschool: planning subjects, setting an hours or days target, and keeping records. The District of Columbia homeschool guide covers what the law asks for from here.

   Read the District of Columbia homeschool guide

Withdrawing for the first time? The guide to withdrawing from public school covers the records request and mid-year timing in any state.

Free District of Columbia printables

Three ready-to-use PDFs for District of Columbia homeschoolers. No account needed.

Templates, not legal advice. Confirm the current rule with your state or district.

What Homeschool Fox tracks for District of Columbia

The records District of Columbia asks you to keep, plus the rest of your year, in one place. No spreadsheets, no lost notebooks.

• Required subjects
• Portfolio records
• Daily activity logs
• Printable PDF reports
• Progress tracking
• High school transcripts

More District of Columbia guides

• District of Columbia Homeschool Requirements Hours, notice, assessment, and subjects at a glance.
• Homeschooling High School in District of Columbia Credits, GPA, transcripts, and graduation.
• Record Keeping in District of Columbia What to document, how to organize it, and staying compliant.
• Moving to District of Columbia What to file when you arrive and whether your records transfer.
• Public School Sports in District of Columbia Whether homeschoolers can play, what it takes, and who to ask.
• Required Subjects in District of Columbia The list, how much time each needs, and proving you taught them.
• District of Columbia Letter of Intent Who to file with, when it's due, and a free generator.
• District of Columbia Homeschool Portfolio What belongs in it, who can ask to see it, and a printable checklist.