How to Start Homeschooling in Wyoming

Absolutely. Wyoming homeschool laws explicitly recognize "home-based educational programs" as a lawful exemption from compulsory attendance. The key statutes are WS 21-4-101(a)(vi) and WS 21-4-102. The legal term used throughout Wyoming law is "home-based educational program," not "homeschool." This is helpful to know if you ever need to cite the statute to school officials.

Wyoming homeschool requirements place no regulatory burden on families. The state does not require notification, approval, testing, or reporting. The Homeschool Freedom Act (HB 46, 2025) removed the last obligation: the annual curriculum submission to the local board of trustees. You have every right to educate your children at home, and Wyoming law protects that right fully.

Wyoming's compulsory education law applies to children ages 7 through 16. There is no mandatory kindergarten requirement. If your child is under 7, compulsory attendance laws do not apply to you. Some sources note that the requirement ends at age 16 or upon completion of the 10th grade, whichever comes first.

This gives you real flexibility as a homeschool family. You can begin teaching younger children informally, exploring their interests and building a love of learning. Once your child turns 7, the compulsory attendance statute applies. But since Wyoming requires no notification, you do not need to file anything when your child reaches that age. You simply continue providing instruction at home. Many Wyoming families start well before age 7 and find the transition seamless.

Getting started with homeschooling in Wyoming is as simple as it gets. Here is exactly what to do.

First, decide to homeschool. There are no prerequisites. Wyoming does not require parent qualifications, teaching certificates, or any credential. Any parent or guardian may provide instruction. You do not need permission from anyone.

Second, if your child is currently enrolled in a public or private school, write a brief withdrawal letter to that school. State that you are withdrawing your child to provide instruction through a home-based educational program. This letter is recommended but not legally required for homeschool compliance. Keep a copy for your records. There is no waiting period.

Third, plan your curriculum. Wyoming law requires a "sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction" in seven subjects. This means your curriculum should build on previous knowledge and grow more advanced over time. A commercially published curriculum with defined grade levels meets this standard naturally. You can also design your own.

Fourth, begin teaching. No government entity needs to hear from you. No approval is needed. There is no start date you must meet and no paperwork to file. You are officially homeschooling in Wyoming.

If your child is currently enrolled in a public or private school in Wyoming, submit a written withdrawal notice to the school. Under HB 46 (2025), no curriculum submission to the board of trustees is required. Your letter simply needs to state that you are withdrawing your child to provide instruction through a home-based educational program under WS 21-4-101(a)(vi).

There is no statutory waiting period. You do not need the school's permission. Send the letter, keep a copy, and begin homeschooling that same day. If you face pushback from school staff, know that the law is clear. A home-based educational program is a recognized exemption from compulsory attendance under WS 21-4-102. You are on solid legal ground.

Wyoming requires instruction in seven subject areas: reading, writing, mathematics, civics, history, literature, and science. These subjects are listed in WS 21-4-101(a)(vi). Note: the Constitution of the United States is a separate requirement for licensed non-religious private schools, not for home-based educational programs.

Your curriculum must be "sequentially progressive." This means your instruction should build upon previous knowledge and advance in complexity each year. You should not repeat the same material without growth. In practice, any structured curriculum with grade-level materials meets this standard. There is no prescribed format. No required textbooks. No mandated teaching methods. You have complete freedom in how you cover these subjects.

Beyond the seven required areas, you can teach anything else your family values. Many Wyoming homeschool families add art, music, foreign languages, and outdoor education that takes advantage of the state's wide-open spaces. The statute sets a floor, not a ceiling. Make your curriculum as rich and broad as you want.

Wyoming is the least populous state in the country. That shapes the homeschool experience in unique ways. Communities may be smaller than in more densely populated states, especially outside Cheyenne, Casper, and Laramie. Many families supplement with online resources and organize multi-county co-op groups. Homeschool Wyoming, the state organization, can help you connect with other families in your area.

For high school planning, start early. The University of Wyoming and Wyoming community colleges accept homeschool applicants. Students should prepare a parent-created transcript and standardized test scores (ACT or SAT). Wyoming does not issue a state homeschool diploma. Parents may issue their own diploma or certificate of completion. A GED or HiSET is available as an alternative credential. The Hathaway Merit Scholarship may be open to homeschooled students, though eligibility requirements may differ from those for traditional students. Begin building your transcript from the start of 9th grade.

The Wyoming High School Activities Association (WHSAA) governs homeschool student participation in sanctioned sports and activities. There is no state-level guarantee of extracurricular access for homeschoolers. However, participation may be possible under WHSAA rules. Contact your local school district and WHSAA for current policies.

Wyoming enacted the Steamboat Legacy Scholarship in 2024, a universal Education Savings Account under WS 21-2-901 (HB 19 and HB 166). The program offers $7,000 per student per year. Homeschoolers are eligible but must meet instruction and assessment requirements. However, the program has been blocked by court injunction since July 2025. No funds have been disbursed. A decision from the Wyoming Supreme Court is pending as of March 2026.

For children with special needs, homeschooled students can access evaluations through the local school district under federal Child Find. Districts must develop a services plan (not a full IEP) for homeschooled children with disabilities. They must include you in the planning process. Speech and occupational therapy may be available through a services plan. The Wyoming Department of Education issued guidance in March 2025 reminding districts of their obligations. Contact your district to ask about available equitable services.