If you intend to provide your child or children home-based instruction in lieu of attendance or enrollment in a public school, an approved private school, or an extension program of an approved private school, you must file an annual declaration of intent.

Parents may choose to provide home-based instruction for part of the day and have their child attend public school for the remainder of the day. Home-based instruction shall consist of planned and supervised instructional and related educational activities, including the basic skills of occupational education, science, mathematics, language, social studies, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, and the development of an appreciation of art and music.

Such instruction shall be equivalent to the total annual program hours per grade level as established for public schools. All decisions relating to philosophy or doctrine, selection of books, teaching materials and curriculum, and methods, timing, place, and provision for the evaluation of home-based instruction shall be the responsibility of the parent.

Home-Based Running Start for Grades 11-12

Qualifying home-based students in grades 11-12 who do not wish to seek a Kent School District (KSD) diploma may take classes at a local community college through the Running Start program.

Learn more about the requirements and home-based running start enrollment process.

In Washington State, parents who choose to homeschool their child(ren) must file a Declaration of Intent to Provide Home-Based Instruction form annually with their residential school district by September 15 or within two weeks of the beginning of the school quarter, trimester, or semester.

The requirements to attend either public or private school, or homeschool, affect any child 8 years of age and under 18 years of age, and any child who has been previously enrolled in any public school.

Parents are required to meet at least one of the qualifications below:

• Parent is supervised by a current certificated WA State teacher, or

• Parent has earned at least 45 college-level credits, or

• Parent has completed a qualifying course in home-based instruction.

Online Declaration of Intent Process

Complete the fillable Declaration of Intent to Provide Home-Based Instruction form electronically and email to ChoiceTransfers@kent.k12.wa.us.

1. Click the blue underlined text to open the form in Adobe Acrobat and save it to your device. If you don’t have it already, download Adobe Acrobat for free online.

2. Fill in the form electronically, sign using the digital signature option and save the completed document to your device.

3. Email your completed form as an attachment to ChoiceTransfers@kent.k12.wa.us.

Qualifying home-based students in grades 11-12 who do not wish to seek a Kent School District (KSD) diploma may take classes at a local community college through the Running Start program.

Students can take classes at any community college in the state of Washington as long as they:

• Have transportation to the college,

• Earn the minimum required score on the college’s qualifying test, and

• Complete the college’s specific orientation process.

If you are not a Home-Based student and/or wish to seek a Kent School District diploma, please contact your boundary high school for more information.

To qualify as a new running start student, you must:

• Be at least 16 years old,

• Be junior or senior standing,

• Qualify for college placement.

Online Enrollment Process

1. Open the New Home-Based Running Start Packet in Adobe Acrobat and save it to your device.

   • If you don’t have it already, download Adobe Acrobat for free online.

2. Fill in the enrollment packet electronically and save the completed document to your device.

3. Email your completed enrollment packet and a copy of the proof of qualification from the college you applied to as attachments to enrollment@kent.k12.wa.us.

   • Use the subject line “Running Start Paperwork.”

   • Include the student’s name, grade level, and address in the email.

4. Allow KSD two business days to email the signed Enrollment Verification Form back to you.

5. Submit the signed Enrollment Verification Form and additional required paperwork to the college. Please refer to the college for their process. 

Once enrolled, are required to complete a new Running Start Enrollment Verification Form before registering for classes each quarter.

To qualify as a returning running start student, you must:

• Be senior standing,

• Returning for a second year or Running Start.

Online Enrollment Process

1. Open the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form in Adobe Acrobat and save it to your device.

   • If you don’t have it already, download Adobe Acrobat for free online.

2. Fill in the enrollment packet electronically and save the completed document to your device.

3. Email your completed enrollment packet and a copy of the proof of qualification from the college you applied to as attachments to enrollment@kent.k12.wa.us.

   • Use the subject line “Running Start Paperwork.”

   • Include the student’s name, grade level, and address in the email.

4. Allow KSD two business days to email the signed Enrollment Verification Form back to you.

5. Submit the signed Enrollment Verification Form and additional required paperwork to the college. Please refer to the college for their process. 

Once enrolled, are required to complete a new Running Start Enrollment Verification Form before registering for classes each quarter.

All home-based running start students are required to complete a new Enrollment Verification Form (PDF) before registering for classes each quarter.

1. Open the Running Start Enrollment Verification Form in Adobe Acrobat and save it to your device.

   • If you don’t have it already, download Adobe Acrobat for free online.

2. Fill in the form electronically and save the completed document to your device.

3. Email your completed form as an attachment to enrollment@kent.k12.wa.us.

   • Use the subject line “Running Start Paperwork.”

   • Include the student’s name, grade level, and address in the email.

4. Allow KSD two business days to email the signed Enrollment Verification Form back to you.

5. Submit the signed Enrollment Verification Form to the college. Please refer to the college for their process.