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Calendar Highlights

Board Work/Study   Mar. 20
Elementary Student-Led Conferences   Mar. 22-23
Regular Board Meeting   Mar. 23
Meet the Superintendent Finalists   Mar. 24-26
Secondary Student-Led Conferences   Mar. 25-26
Spring Break - No School   Mar. 29-
Apr. 2
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Beyond High School

Are you a student wondering which classes you should take next year? A parent who wants to help your student achieve his or her goals? It's never too early to plan ahead for what comes after graduation. We can help you make the right choices. Read more »

Home-based Instruction (Homeschool)

Information Regarding Forms/Requirements

Supplemental Information for Home-Based Educated Students

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI): Free informational booklet (Washington State's Laws Regulating Home-Based Instruction) is available via the OSPI website at: http://www.k12.wa.us/
PrivateEd/HomeBasedEd/

Federal Way Public Schools (FWPS): Offers a program called the Internet Academy, a home-based program providing individualized instruction for elementary and secondary students over the Internet.  The Academy offers a comprehensive, complete K-12 curriculum.  Please call (253) 945-2230 for information/registration.  Information is also available over the Internet at: http://www.iacademy.org

Also, please check out out our website at:  http://www.fwps.org for additional resources and information. 

Federal Way Homeschoolers' Support Association (FWHSA) For meeting dates and times please check the website or contact FWHSA  at 253-661-8182 for further information.

Women of Wisdom (WOW) is a homeschool mothers' support group.  Contact Anne Seals at 253-891-0413 for information.

Washington Homeschool Organization (WHO): Their office is located at 6632 So. 191st Place, Suite E100, Kent, WA 98032-2117.

NOTE: If your student is in grades 9-12, and you are considering enrolling him/her in the Federal Way Public Schools for the purpose of earning a Diploma, please contact Student Placement in the Educational Service Center (ESC) located at 31405 18th Ave S, Federal Way, WA,  (253) 945-2000.

To request high school credit for home based instruction, please schedule an appointment with Mark Davidson, Deputy Superintendent.  You may call (253) 945-2083 to schedule this appointment.

1) Parent must have 45 college credits (not in any specific area) or complete an "approved" home-schooling course. (Courses are available at most community/vocational colleges and through the Washington Homeschool Organization (WHO). Instruction generally consists of 2 evenings and/or Saturdays over a two-week period. WHO also offers the course through a series of video tapes. Tuition runs approximately $100.)

2) If a parent/guardian does not meet the above standard, he/she may have the student supervised by a teacher "certified" in the State of Washington. This person must assist in the lesson planning and have contact with the student an average of 1 hour per week. Each "teacher" may supervise a maximum of 30 students.

3) Parent must file a "Declaration of Intent" to provide home-based instruction with the district where he/she lives or with the district providing ancillary services or part-time attendance (if student has transferred to a non-resident district for these services.) The Intent must be filed annually at the designated district office by September 15 or within two weeks of the start of any semester, trimester, etc. Federal Way Public Schools (FWPS) also allows parents to file at interim periods, but is not obligated to provide parent/guardian with student progress reports if they choose to exercise this alternate option. Forms are filed with FWPS at the ESC, 31405 18th Ave S., Federal Way, WA 98003.

Download the Declaration of Intent Form (26K PDF)

4) Parents must ensure that an approved standardized test is administered annually. Families can participate in school district testing if the District is testing at the student's grade level. To participate in such testing, parents must notify the school of their intent to do so 10 school days prior to the scheduled testing. Students must be enrolled in their "service area" school for this designated period of time.

5) Parents may also have an "annual" evaluation done (in lieu of standardized testing) by a teacher certified in Washington State and currently working in the field of education. (FWPS does not provide staff or referrals for this purpose.)

6) FWPS does not provide books or curriculum. (Please see Supplemental Resource and Referral Info sheet for information.)

7) Parent is responsible for maintaining student's "home-school" permanent record, and must ensure that this information is furnished to any public or private school the student may enroll in.

8) Home-schooled students may enroll in their service area school "part-time" on a course-by-course basis. They must attend each course they enroll in whenever that class meets. Transportation is the responsibility of the parent. If the student lives in an area served by FWPS buses, and the course is scheduled at a time that corresponds with the bus schedule, the student may ride the bus.

Download the Request for Part-Time Attendance Form (17K PDF)

9) Home-schooled students attending "part-time" may participate in any transfer options (Choice enrollment) available to all other students. (Same rules apply.)

10) Internet Academy, an on-line instructional program operated by FWPS is available to all home-schooled students. Please call 253-945-2230 or visit their website at http://www.iacademy.org for registration forms and information.

For more information contact:
Student Placement
31405 18th Ave S
Federal Way, WA 98003
253-945-2000