For questions pertaining to homeschooling your child, please contact the central office administration building at (307) 872-5500.

What is a home-based educational program (homeschool)?

A home-based education program means a program of educational instruction provided to a child by the child’s parent or legal guardian or a person designated by the parent or legal guardian. Wyoming Statute 21-4-101(a)(v).

If I choose to homeschool my child in Wyoming, what must I do?

W.S. 21-4-102(b): “A home-based educational program shall meet the requirements of a basic academic educational program pursuant to W.S. 21-4-101(a)(v). It shall be the responsibility of every person administering a home-based educational program to submit a curriculum to the local board of trustees each year showing that the program complies with the requirements of this subsection.” W.S. 21-4-101(a)(vi) defines a basic academic educational program as a program providing a sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction in seven subjects: reading, writing, mathematics, civics, history, literature, and science. Contact the school district where you reside for further information. The local school district may also have useful documents, such as a homeschool registration form that can take the place of a letter of intent, as well as where to mail or drop off the forms.

Where can I read Wyoming’s homeschool statutes?

Wyoming education statutes are available here.

What are standards? How can I read the academic standards for Wyoming?

There is no statutory requirement for alignment of the curriculum to Wyoming Content and Performance standards. However, if you are interested in the Wyoming Content and Performance standards, see the Standards for Parents FAQ. To view the standards, refer to the Content and Performance Webpage. Each content area is listed in the gray box and will take you to the content page.

Is testing required of homeschooled students?

No testing is required of homeschool students who are participating in a school less than 50% of their educational time. Homeschool students are invited to participate in the state assessment, free of charge. The WY-TOPP assessment currently measures English Language Arts, Math, and Science. The test is administered in grades 1-10 on the Fall Interims and in grades 3-10, both on the Winter Interims and the State Summative Assessment. The Writing assessment measures writing in grades 3, 5, 7, and 9. The ACT assessment measures reading, writing, language, math, and science at grade 11. To participate in the assessments, contact the central office administration building of your intent well prior to the assessment so appropriate arrangements can be made.

Can a homeschool student participate in extracurricular activities (sports, music, and clubs)?

W.S. 21-4-506(a) states that any school age child who is a resident of a school district and who is not enrolled as a full-time student in the district in which they reside, shall be permitted by the district to participate in any activities which are sanctioned by the Wyoming High School Activities Association (WHSAA) and which are offered by the district subject to the following:

1. The district may require the student to pay any fees for participation that are required by the Wyoming High School Activities Association (WHSAA);

2. The district may charge that student an additional fee for participating, but that fee shall be no more than any fee for participating charged to full-time students of the district;

3. As a condition of participation, the student shall be required to comply with all other rules and policies of the district or any school activities association applicable to all students participating in the activity and not related to the assessment of fees or charges.

Are homeschools in Wyoming accredited?

All homeschools in Wyoming are considered non-accredited private schools.

Can my student take some courses at the local school?

A local district has the right to determine whether homeschool students can enroll in certain courses (such as a science lab or shop class at the high school). Please contact the public school that your child would attend for more information.

Can my student take most courses at the local school and be homeschooled for one or two classes?

This is determined by the district. Please contact the public school that your child would attend for more information.

My child requires Special Education Services. Can s/he receive them through the public school?

When a parent of an eligible Special Education child decides to homeschool the child, the parent communicates with their local school district. The school district may develop a 'services plan' for the child; however a formal IEP will not be developed as a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) is unable to be provided when the child does not attend an accredited public school.

How does a homeschool student earn a diploma?

Because homeschools are non-accredited private schools, homeschoolers receive no diploma from the school or the state. Some commercial curriculum companies offer diplomas to students who complete their company’s requirements. Some colleges allow prospective students to complete an entrance exam or portfolio. Another option is to complete a high school equivalency exam. Wyoming focuses on the HiSET https://hiset.ets.org/requirements/state/wy; while some states continue to administer the GED. Students who are homeschooled and do not receive a high school diploma from Green River High School or Expedition will not participate in the graduation commencements.

Can my student enroll in college or join the military with a homeschool education?

Many colleges and universities accept transcripts from homeschooling families as evidence of having completed a standard curriculum. All four military branches accept a minimum number of homeschooled students. Each branch has a set percentage for each year. If your student is interested in military service, contact the specific military branch for further information.

Can my homeschool student qualify for the Hathaway Scholarship?

Yes, students who graduate from a homeschool program are able to qualify for the Hathaway Scholarship. Homeschool students must apply for the scholarship before their 21st birthday, must have an ACT score (or WorkKeys for the Provisional Opportunity), and must meet Hathaway Success Curriculum course requirements (GPA is not considered for homeschool students). Applicants also need to produce a homeschool transcript. For more information about the Hathaway Scholarship’s homeschool requirements visit the Hathawayscholarship.org page, here or email: hathawayscholarship@wyo.gov.

If my child is transitioning from homeschool to public school, who determines what grade my child is in?

It is up to the local school to decide what grade a homeschooled child should enter, just as if a student was transferring from a different district or different state. Local schools do not have to accept credits earned from a homeschooled program.

What is the difference between attending an approved Wyoming virtual education program and a homeschool program?

A student who is enrolled in an approved Wyoming virtual education program is enrolled in and receiving their instruction from a Wyoming public school.

What is the difference between a private online school and a homeschool program?

In a homeschool, the parents or designated adult are the instructors. In a private online school, teachers manage the student’s studies and deliver instruction to more than one family unit.

For questions pertaining to homeschooling your child, please contact the central office administration building at (307) 872-5500.

Updated Summer 2024