How to Start Homeschooling in Seattle

How to Homeschool in Seattle

In Seattle, WA, homeschool is legal via two different options: under the home-based instruction law or under a private school extension program. For families choosing the first option (the most popular), the steps to homeschooling are as follows:

1. Meet Washington qualifications to homeschool (4 ways to do this).
2. File notice of intent with local school superintendent (in Seattle, that can be found on the Seattle Schools website).
3. Teach the required subjects (reading, writing, spelling, language, math, science, social studies, history, health, occupational education, and art and music appreciation).
4. Choose a curriculum that best meets your child’s needs.
5. Participate in annual assessments.
6. Keep records and ensure these include the student’s annual test scores.
7. Seek out local King County homeschool support groups for advice, encouragement, and socialization.
8. Start having fun learning together!

Time4Learning Curriculum for Homeschooling in Seattle

In a city where individuality is valued and diversity is the norm, your homeschool experience should be customizable as well. One of the reasons Time4Learning has become so popular with Seattle families is that it is completely adaptable. Whether you need a complete core homeschool curriculum, a multimedia tutoring program, an acceleration tool for your gifted student, or even a summer brain booster, Time4Learning’s flexibility is at the core of its success.

Homeschoolers in Seattle choose Time4Learning because it:

• Fits within almost any homeschool budget.
• Includes built-in lesson plans so parents can have their child follow the suggested sequence for the year, or focus on a particular area of study.
• Keeps kids engaged and ready to learn independently with video-game-like lessons
• Covers many of the subjects required by Washington homeschool law such as: reading, writing, spelling, language arts, math, history and social studies, science, and health
• Lets parents track their student’s day-to-day progress and even helps them plan out their homeschool year.
• Gives students access to fun and engaging learning resources such as Time4MathFacts, which uses game-based play to help students master math facts in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• High school students have a list of 14 electives to choose from to begin exploring other areas of interest.
• Uses virtual labs, interactive projects, guided notes, and much more help enhance material, bring concepts to life, and allow students to apply what they’ve learned.
• Works with a wide variety of learning styles and homeschool methods.

Field Trips in Seattle and Beyond

With a flexible curriculum like Time4Learning, you are ready to experience one of the prime perks of home education: taking your learning on the road! Veteran homeschoolers often remark that the irony of “home”-schooling is that they are rarely home. A customized education offers your child the opportunity to truly immerse themselves in what they are learning with frequent field trips.

Below, you’ll find a sampling of destinations in the Seattle area that can enhance your homeschool experience.

Burke Museum — This natural history museum, located on the campus of the University of Washington, boasts a collection of over 16 million artifacts. You can focus in on specific galleries, depending on what you are studying: life science, earth science, or culture. You’ll find exhibits on dinosaurs, the native peoples of the Northwest, archaeology, biodiversity, and so much more. The museum also hosts educational programming for preschool through high school ages throughout the year.

Boeing Future of Flight — Just 25 miles north of Seattle, the Future of Flight Aviation Center is a terrific destination for STEM-focused learning. A visit combines a 90-minute tour of the factory area with interactive exhibits in the Aerospace Gallery. Your homeschoolers will be impressed by encountering a four-story-high tail section of a 747 Jumbo Jet! For return trips, note that the museum offers changing exhibits that display the latest advances in aerospace technology.

Seattle Aquarium — Would you like to learn more about the Puget Sound? The Seattle Aquarium gives you a close up look at Washington waters. This destination is a terrific homeschool resource for hands-on marine experiences and conservation education. It features more than 380 species of birds, fish, invertebrates and marine mammals. The aquarium hosts summer learning camps, workshops and programs for kids, and even offers virtual learning materials on their website.

Bellevue Botanical Garden — If you are homeschooling on a tight budget, you’ll appreciate that this field trip, just 15 minutes outside Seattle, is completely free of charge. Within this 53-acre public park are multiple topically focused gardens, with plenty of interactive displays that let you learn about the plants, trees, and other natural features as you explore. The Garden also hosts multiple learning programs for kids as well as learning materials accessible online.

Seattle Children’s Theatre — If you want to be intentional about adding arts to your child(ren)’s homeschool program, the Seattle Children’s Theatre makes that effortless. The Theatre has a dedicated School Shows associate who coordinates educational field trips to performances. Active audience guides are provided for each show to help your kids make the most of their attendance. And the theatre even offers dedicated classes and programs for homeschoolers that teach multiple fine arts skills.

Wing Luke Museum — Get to know the culture, art and history of Asian Pacific Americans at the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience. The museum represents over 26 ethnic groups, giving your homeschooler insights into the authentic experiences and perspectives of the Asian American community. A field trip will immerse your homeschooler in the stories of immigrants and refugees and learn how they shaped Washington state and the entire PNW region. The website offers numerous educational resources, as well.

Once you’re ready to explore other fun and educational destinations beyond Seattle, you can start with these field trip ideas in Washington state.

Additional Resources Related to Homeschooling in Washington

• Homeschooling in Washington
• Washington Homeschooling Laws
• Washington Homeschool Associations
• Washington Homeschool Groups and Co-ops
• Homeschool Field Trips in Washington
• Washington Unit Study for Homeschoolers