Compliance Checker States Free Tools Get Started Free

Wyoming Homeschool Requirements

Everything you need to know about homeschooling in Wyoming - one of the least regulated states in the country. Submit a curriculum plan, provide 175 days of instruction in 7 subjects, and you are compliant. No testing, no curriculum approval, no teacher qualifications. Updated for the 2025-2026 school year.

Very Low Regulation
Ages 7-16 Compulsory
1 Compliance Path

Overview

Wyoming is one of the least regulated states for homeschooling in the United States. Under Wyo. Stat. § 21-4-101 and § 21-4-102, families must submit an annual curriculum plan to their local school board, provide 175 days of instruction, and cover seven required subjects.

Beyond those basic requirements, Wyoming imposes virtually no oversight. There is no standardized testing, no curriculum approval process, no portfolio review, no home visits, and no parent qualification requirements. The state trusts parents to direct their children's education.

Wyoming also has one of the shortest compulsory education ranges in the country: ages 7 to 16. Children under 7 are not required to attend school, and students who reach 16 may exit the education system.

Good to Know

Wyoming's compulsory education age starts at 7 (not 5 or 6), which is later than most states. And compulsory attendance ends at 16, earlier than the typical 18. This gives Wyoming families more flexibility on both ends of the education timeline.

Legal Framework

Wyoming homeschool law is found in two statutes: Wyo. Stat. § 21-4-101 (compulsory attendance) and § 21-4-102 (home-based education). There is a single, simple compliance path.

Requirement Wyoming Homeschool
Legal Basis Wyo. Stat. § 21-4-101, § 21-4-102
Notification Annual curriculum plan to local school board
Attendance 175 days per year
Teacher Qualification None required
Required Subjects 7 subjects
Curriculum Approval Not required (plan submitted, not approved)
Testing Not required
Record-Keeping Not specified by law

Curriculum Plan vs. Curriculum Approval

An important distinction: Wyoming requires you to submit a curriculum plan to the local school board, but the board does not approve it. This is a notification process. You are informing the board of your educational plan, not asking for permission. The board cannot deny your right to homeschool based on the content of your plan.

Simple Process

Wyoming's compliance process is among the simplest in the country. Submit your curriculum plan, teach 175 days in 7 subjects, and you are done. No follow-up, no evaluation, no reporting. The state trusts parents to educate their children.

Getting Started: Step by Step

Starting homeschool in Wyoming involves just a few straightforward steps.

Step 1: Prepare Your Curriculum Plan

Write a basic curriculum plan outlining the subjects you will teach and your general approach. This does not need to be elaborate - a one-page document listing subjects and materials is typically sufficient.

Step 2: Submit to Local School Board

Submit your curriculum plan to your local school board annually. This is a notification, not a request for approval. The board receives the plan but does not approve or deny it.

Step 3: Begin Instruction

Provide instruction for 175 days per year, covering all seven required subjects. You set your own daily schedule, teaching methods, and pace.

If Withdrawing from Public School

If your child is currently enrolled in public school:

  • Send a withdrawal letter to the school
  • Submit your curriculum plan to the local school board
  • Request your child's educational records
  • Begin instruction immediately after withdrawal
Important

Begin homeschooling immediately after withdrawal from public school. There should be no gap where your child is neither enrolled nor being homeschooled, to avoid any attendance issues.

Tip

Keep a copy of your curriculum plan and any confirmation from the school board. Blue Folder can help you build your curriculum plan and track your 175 days of instruction. Try it free →

Blue Folder handles this for you

Track your 175 days, organize your curriculum plan, and stay compliant automatically.

Track Wyoming Compliance

Notification Requirements

Wyoming requires an annual curriculum plan submission to your local school board. This is the only formal filing required.

Requirement Details
Submit To Local school board
When Annually
Content Basic academic curriculum plan
Approval Required No - notification only
Student Info Basic student information

What to Include in Your Curriculum Plan

  • Student information - name, age, grade level
  • Subject areas - list the seven required subjects
  • General approach - brief description of how you plan to teach
  • Materials - optional, but helpful to mention primary resources
Keep It Simple

Your curriculum plan does not need to be elaborate. A straightforward document listing the subjects, a brief description of your approach, and the materials you plan to use is sufficient. The school board receives the plan but has no authority to approve or reject it.

Curriculum & Required Subjects

Wyoming requires instruction in seven subjects as part of a "basic academic educational program." Beyond covering these subjects, you have complete freedom over curriculum, materials, and teaching methods.

Reading Writing Mathematics Civics History Literature Science

Subject Descriptions

  • Reading - phonics, comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary
  • Writing - composition, grammar, spelling, and written communication
  • Mathematics - age-appropriate math skills and concepts
  • Civics - government, citizenship, and civic responsibility
  • History - U.S. and world history
  • Literature - reading and analysis of literary works
  • Science - general, life, physical, and earth science

Curriculum Freedom

  • No state-approved curriculum list
  • No curriculum approval process
  • Religious curriculum is permitted
  • Any teaching method is acceptable
  • Parent determines pace and progression
  • No requirement to meet public school standards
Tip

While Wyoming only requires seven subjects, many families choose to teach additional subjects like foreign language, art, music, and physical education for a well-rounded education. These are not legally required but are valuable for college preparation and personal development.

Attendance Requirements

Wyoming requires 175 days of instruction per year. This is days-based, not hours-based, so there is no minimum daily hour requirement. You determine how long each school day lasts.

Schedule Example School Weeks Days Off per Week
5-day week (35 weeks) 35 weeks 2 days off
4-day week (~44 weeks) 44 weeks 3 days off
Year-round (5 days/week) 35 weeks spread over 12 months Frequent breaks

At 175 days with a five-day school week, you need approximately 35 weeks of instruction. This leaves about 17 weeks (roughly 4 months) for breaks, holidays, and vacation time.

Day Tracking Tip

Track your school days on a simple calendar or log. Mark each day instruction occurs, and keep a running count toward 175. Blue Folder tracks your days automatically and shows your progress toward the annual requirement. Try it free →

Assessment & Evaluation

Wyoming requires no assessment of any kind. There are no standardized tests, no portfolio reviews, no evaluations, and no progress reports to submit.

Assessment Type Required?
Standardized testing No
Portfolio review No
Progress evaluation No
Home visits No
Annual report No

Optional Testing

Some families choose to administer standardized tests for their own purposes, especially for college-bound high school students. Common options include the SAT, ACT, PSAT, and Iowa Test of Basic Skills. These are entirely voluntary.

Full Freedom

Wyoming's lack of any assessment requirement means you are the sole judge of your child's academic progress. You can evaluate using any method you choose - formal tests, informal assessment, project-based evaluation, or simply observation and conversation.

Record-Keeping

Wyoming law does not specify record-keeping requirements beyond the annual curriculum plan submission. However, maintaining basic records is strongly recommended for practical purposes.

Required

  • Curriculum plan - submitted to local school board annually

Recommended Records

  • Attendance log - track your 175 school days
  • Work samples - examples of student progress
  • Grades and transcripts - essential for high school students
  • Curriculum list - what materials you used each year
  • Withdrawal letter copy - if you withdrew from public school
  • Portfolio - collection of student work organized by year
Organization Tip

Even though Wyoming has minimal record-keeping requirements, organized records protect you and benefit your child. Documentation is invaluable for college applications, potential return to public school, or if anyone questions your homeschool program. Blue Folder keeps everything organized and exportable. Try it free →

For High School Students

Parents create their own transcripts and diplomas in Wyoming. Include courses, grades, credits, and GPA. The University of Wyoming and Wyoming community colleges accept homeschool applicants. Strong ACT/SAT scores and a well-documented transcript are key for admissions.

Special Programs & Financial Resources

Wyoming currently offers no state-funded financial programs for homeschool families.

State Funding

Program Available to Homeschoolers?
ESA (Education Savings Account) No
Vouchers No
Tax Credits No
Tax Deductions No

All homeschool costs are borne by the family. However, Wyoming's very low regulation means fewer compliance-related expenses (no testing fees, no evaluation costs, no association memberships required).

Sports & Extracurricular Access

Wyoming does not have a specific statewide law guaranteeing homeschooler access to public school sports and extracurricular activities. Access may be available at district discretion. Contact your local school district to ask about their policies.

Alternatives for Sports & Activities

  • Community recreation programs - local parks and recreation departments
  • Club sports - travel teams and competitive clubs
  • 4-H programs - widely available in Wyoming
  • Church and community leagues
  • Private instruction - individual coaching and lessons

College Preparation

The University of Wyoming and Wyoming's community colleges accept homeschool applicants. A parent-created transcript, ACT/SAT scores, and course descriptions are typically the key components for admission. Contact admissions directly for specific requirements.

Hathaway Scholarship

Wyoming's Hathaway Scholarship provides funding for Wyoming students attending the University of Wyoming or community colleges. Homeschool students may be eligible based on ACT scores and GPA. Check current requirements with the Hathaway Scholarship program.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Wyoming homeschool law is among the simplest in the country, but new families still encounter avoidable issues.

  1. Not submitting the curriculum plan. Even though Wyoming is very low regulation, the annual curriculum plan to the local school board is still required. Do not skip this step. It is a simple notification that keeps you in compliance.
  2. Falling short of 175 days. Wyoming requires 175 days of instruction. Without tracking, some families come up short. Mark school days on a calendar and maintain a running count throughout the year.
  3. Starting too late for compulsory age. Wyoming's compulsory education starts at age 7. While this gives you more time before school is required, make sure you begin by your child's 7th birthday to comply with the law.
  4. Forgetting a required subject. Wyoming requires seven subjects. Literature and civics are sometimes overlooked because they can overlap with reading and history. Make sure each of the seven subjects is explicitly covered in your curriculum.
  5. Thinking you need approval. Submitting your curriculum plan to the school board is notification, not a request for permission. The board cannot deny your right to homeschool. Do not wait for approval before beginning instruction.
  6. Not keeping any records. While Wyoming law does not specify record-keeping beyond the curriculum plan, having no records at all creates problems if your child returns to public school, applies to college, or if your homeschool is ever questioned.
Critical

Wyoming's two core requirements are (1) submit your annual curriculum plan and (2) provide 175 days of instruction in 7 subjects. Everything else is either not required or left to your discretion. Focus on these two things and you will be fully compliant.

Stay compliant the easy way

Blue Folder tracks your 175 days, organizes your curriculum, and keeps your records in one place.

Track Wyoming Compliance

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I need to start homeschooling?

Wyoming's compulsory education age is 7 to 16 - one of the shortest ranges in the country. You are not required to begin formal education until your child turns 7. Many families begin earlier by choice, but it is not mandatory.

Do I need to submit my curriculum plan at a specific time?

The law requires annual submission. Most families submit before the start of their school year. Contact your local school board for any specific submission preferences.

Can the school board reject my curriculum plan?

No. Submitting your curriculum plan is a notification process, not an approval process. The board receives the plan but does not have the authority to approve or reject it. You are informing them, not asking for permission.

How long does a school day need to be?

Wyoming specifies 175 days but does not mandate daily hours. A school day can be as short or as long as you want, as long as meaningful instruction occurs. You determine the length and structure of each day.

Does Wyoming have a testing requirement?

No. Wyoming does not require any standardized testing, evaluations, portfolio reviews, or assessments. You may choose to test for your own purposes, but it is entirely voluntary.

Do I need any qualifications to homeschool?

No. Wyoming has no parent qualification requirements. No degree, diploma, teaching certificate, or training is needed. Any parent or guardian may provide instruction.

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Homeschool laws can change. Always verify current requirements with the Wyoming Department of Education or consult a qualified attorney. For more information, see the Wyoming Department of Education. Last updated February 2026.

Ready to homeschool in Wyoming with confidence?

Blue Folder gives you a personalized compliance checklist, day tracker, and one-click binder export - built for Wyoming families.

Start Tracking Wyoming Free