Email of the Day:
I recall years ago when my two children were young we enrolled them in a private school that was technically a home school. I am considering instructing my two grandsons ages 8 & 5 in a home school setting. Is it possible for me to enroll 2-3 other children and instruct them as a part of my home school?
Answer:
Homeschooling in WA is defined as being “provided by a parent, educating his or her child only.”
I suspect the private school your children were part of was an approved private school operating a homeschool extension program, the law defines these students as private school students, rather than homeschoolers.
There are no educational laws w/r/t homeschooling children under the age of 8. Our compulsory attendance law is from 8-18, and so the HBI law applies only to children in that age group. If you were working with children under the age of 8, you’d fall under the daycare provider law.
Many homeschool parents band together to form co-ops; many homeschool parents hire private tutors.
If you were going to do something like this, I would recommend that you either
a) set it up as a co-operative (where the parents take turns teaching) and do not do it full time or
b) set up as an approved private school (if you will be the only teacher, it’s full time, and you’re charging tuition).
Warmly,
–Jen Garrison Stuber, WHO Board Advocacy Chair