How to Homeschool in Wyoming

A home-based education program is instruction provided to a child by the child's parent or legal guardian or by a person designated by the parent or legal guardian. Instruction provided to more than one family unit does not constitute a home-based educational program. W.S. §21-4-101(a)(v).

A home school is not considered a private school.

It is the responsibility of every person administering a home-based education program to submit a curriculum to the local board of trustees each year showing that the program complies with the requirements of the law. Failure to submit a curriculum showing compliance evidences that the home-based program does not comply with the requirements of the law. W.S. §21-4-102(b).

Home-based educational programs shall provide for "a sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, civics, history, literature, and science." There is not a requirement for the inclusion of any concept, topic, or practice in conflict with the program's religious doctrines nor any prohibition against excluding from its curriculum any concept, topic, or practice consistent with its religious doctrines. W.S. §21-4-101(a)(vi).

Wyoming does not require testing of homeschooled students, but does allow homeschooled students to participate in the state assessment, PAWS, at no expense to the parent or guardian. The assessment currently measures math and reading in grades three through eight and 11, and science at grades four, eight and 11. If a homeschooled student would like to participate in the assessment the local district must be notified by November 1 of the year the assessment is given.

Students may participate in any activities offered within the school district of which they are residents and permitted by the Wyoming High School Activities Association (WHSAA). The school district may require students to pay participation fees if required by WHSAA. W.S. §§21-4-506(a); 21-4-506(a)(ii). Homeschooled students may play on participating schools' sports teams under the combination school agreement. WHSAA Rules 3.1.3, 6.2.92.

Contact Information

Wyoming Department of Education
2300 Capitol Avenue
Hathaway Building, Second Floor
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0050
Phone: 307-777-7690
Fax: 307-777-6234
Website: http://www.k12.wy.us

Source: United States Department of Education - Wyoming State Regulations

In Wyoming, Homeschooling is defined by State Statute 21-4-101(a)(v): “A home-based educational program means a program of educational instruction provided to a child by the child’s parent or legal guardian or by a person designated by the parent or legal guardian. An instructional program provided to more than one (1) family unit does not constitute a home-based educational program.”

Intent to Home School Notification

Provide a letter of intent to the local district homeschool superintendent with a curriculum list covering the required seven subjects: reading, writing, mathematics, civics, history, literature, and science.

See the Homeschoolers of Wyoming Sample Letter of Intent.

Curriculum

A home-based educational program must meet the requirements of a Basic Academic Educational Program, which is defined in State Statute 21-4-101(a)(vi) as a program providing a sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction in seven subjects: reading, writing, mathematics, civics, history, literature, and science.

Home-based educational curriculum requires approval from the local school district, but is not required to be aligned with the Wyoming Content and Performance Standards.

There may be advantages to considering alignment of home-based educational curriculum to the Wyoming Content and Performance Standards. For instance, if there are plans for the student to take the Wyoming Test of Proficiency and Progress (WY-TOPP) or return to public school at any time, alignment may be valuable.

Assessment/Evaluation

Wyoming has no assessment requirements. If you wish to know what public school exceptions are regarding assessment, the Wyoming Content and Performance Standards are a set of expectations identifying what public school students should know and be able to do, enabling them to be prepared for college, career, or military ready.

Testing

No testing is required of homeschooled students. They are able to take the test if they choose to, without any cost. For grades 3-10, the WY-TOPP summative assessments are online adaptive assessments for math and English language arts. Students in grade 3, 5, 7, and 9 are assessed in writing. Grade 4, 8, and 10 students are assessed in science. If a student is attending homeschool and public school, and spends 50% or more of their time at the public school, then that student is required to take the WY-TOPP assessment.

Extra Curricular Activities

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 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;
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.

Public School Re-enrollment

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 or any other programs.

Diplomas

Because home-schools are non-accredited private schools, home-schoolers receive no diploma from the school or the state. Some commercial curriculum companies do 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 the GED.

School Districts

It is recommended to contact the Wyoming local school district where a student resides to assist with further information. The local school district may also have useful documents, such as an optional homeschool registration form that can take the place of a letter of intent, as well as where to mail or drop off the forms.

Wyoming Home Schooling Links

• Wyoming Home School webpage/a>
• Wyoming Homeschooling FAQ
• Find Your Wyoming School District webpage
• Title 21 Education - Wyoming Legislature (PDF)
• Homeschoolers of Wyoming
• Homeschoolers of Wyoming Sample Letter of Intent
• Wyoming Educational Content and Performance Standards

Source: Wyoming Department of Education