What Every Parent Should Know About Homeschooling in Wyoming

If you're a parent thinking about what homeschooling in Wyoming will be like for your child, here's some really good news: Wyoming is one of the least restrictive states in the country for homeschooling. No approval forms. No lesson plan reviews. No standardized tests at the end of the year. What the state asks for is minimal. What you get in return is real freedom to teach your child the way you think is best.

This guide covers everything you need to know about Wyoming homeschool laws, from the legal basics and subject requirements to graduation, scholarships, and how to connect with other homeschooling families in the state.

The Legal Framework: What Wyoming Actually Requires

In Wyoming, homeschooling is defined as a program of educational instruction provided to a child by parents, a legal guardian, or someone they choose. If you’re new to the structure, it’s important that you read more on homeschooling. When you’ve familiarized yourself with the concept, you’ll be able to understand the legal framework a little better.

Under state law, all Wyoming homeschoolers are treated as non-accredited private school students, meaning the state considers your home a private school operating outside the public school system.

Kids are required to be in school from when they turn 7 (on or before August 1) until they turn 16 or finish 10th grade. During that time, parents need to follow a sequentially progressive curriculum that meets the state's definition of a basic academic educational program.

What Changed in Recent Times?

Wyoming made a big update to its homeschool rules with the Homeschool Freedom Act, which took effect July 1, 2025. Before this law, families had to send a notice of intent and yearly curriculum paperwork to their local school district. Now? You don't have to do any of that unless your child plays public school sports or uses special education services. This is a big deal, and it puts Wyoming among the least restrictive states in the whole country when it comes to homeschooling.

Core Subjects: What You Need to Teach

Wyoming law requires instruction in seven core subjects as part of a basic academic educational program:

Subject	Notes
Reading	No specific method or benchmark required
Writing	Includes composition and grammar
Mathematics	All levels, no specific sequence required
Civics	Government, rights, civic responsibility
History	American and world history both qualify
Literature	Prose, poetry, and other written works
Science	Life, physical, and earth sciences

 

For a curriculum that covers your child’s needs in a way that actually holds their attention, the  Tuttle Twins books on history, economics, and civics, and the Tuttle Twins Academy are built around exactly these subjects, from foundational concepts for younger kids through more complex ideas for teens.

Beyond these core subjects, you get to decide what else to teach, how to teach it, and how much time to spend on each topic. Wyoming doesn't set grade-level goals, pacing schedules, or minimum daily hours. So if your family spends three hours doing science experiments on a Tuesday and takes Friday off for a field trip, it’s fine under the law.

Also worth knowing: parents don't need a college degree or teaching certificate to homeschool in Wyoming. If you can teach those seven subjects, you meet the legal requirement.

Records, Testing, and What Wyoming Will Not Ask For

Wyoming homeschool laws don’t require you to keep records or attendance logs. You do not submit grades, portfolios, or progress reports to any government agency. There is no annual review of your child's work.

Standardized tests are not required either. Wyoming invites homeschooled students to take the state assessment free of charge, but it’s completely optional. Many families skip it, and the state won’t follow up if they do.

Should You Keep Records Anyway?

Yes, especially once your student reaches high school. Wyoming homeschoolers are responsible for creating their own transcripts, and without ongoing records, reconstructing four years of coursework from memory is not easy. A simple folder system tracking courses covered, books used, and grades assigned will serve you well when college applications arrive.

Most colleges and universities accept transcripts from homeschooling families as evidence of completing a standard curriculum. Admissions offices are increasingly familiar with homeschooled students and, in many cases, appreciate the self-discipline and independent learning skills they bring.

Graduation, Diplomas, and the Hathaway Scholarship

Wyoming doesn’t issue diplomas to homeschooled students. Instead, parents issue the diploma themselves once their child has completed the requirements they set. You decide what graduation looks like, what courses are needed, how many credit hours count, and when your student has crossed the finish line.

If you want a standardized credential to go along with the parent-issued diploma, the GED is an option. Some colleges and employers like having an external benchmark, though it's not required.

One thing worth knowing: Wyoming homeschoolers who graduate from a home-based educational program are eligible to qualify for the Hathaway Scholarship, Wyoming's state merit scholarship for students pursuing higher education. This is a meaningful financial opportunity, so it’s worth researching eligibility requirements early to ensure your student's transcript meets the scholarship's academic standards. For a detailed look at building your child’s homeschooling experience, explore the Tuttle Twins high school curriculum before they hit ninth grade.

Dual Enrollment and Public School Access

Wyoming homeschoolers may participate in extracurricular activities offered by their local school district, including athletics, music programs, and clubs. This is a great option for students who want to stay socially connected or access resources that may not be available at home, without going back to full-time public school.

There's one condition: students participating in public school sports or receiving special education services must submit curriculum documentation to their local district. Families who don't use those services don't have to submit anything under the 2025 law.

Special education note: Like most states, Wyoming's special education services are tied to public school enrollment. If your child has a disability and you’re weighing your options, researching private therapy providers and independent services before making the switch is worth the time.

Funding: The ESA Program

For a long time, homeschooling families in Wyoming covered all costs, including curriculum, books, technology, and enrichment. All from their own pocket. That changed with the Wyoming Education Savings Account (ESA) Program, which gives eligible K-12 students up to $6,000 per year to cover approved homeschooling expenses.

Community, Co-ops, and Support Groups

Wyoming has two primary organizations supporting homeschool families statewide.

Homeschool Wyoming

This has been operating since 1996 and provides legal resources, advocacy, and community connections for families across the state. They offer support whether you are just getting started or have been homeschooling for years.

Homeschoolers of Wyoming (HOW)

This is the statewide association open to all families regardless of their educational philosophy or approach. HOW hosts events and provides resources that bring Wyoming families together across regional lines.

Beyond these two organizations, local homeschool co-ops offer group learning opportunities that many families find invaluable - structured classes, lab access, art programs, and social connection for students who might otherwise be learning in isolation. Support groups, both in-person and online, offer parents a place to share curriculum recommendations and troubleshoot challenges with others who understand the day-to-day realities of homeschooling.

How to Get Started with Homeschooling in Wyoming

Since Wyoming homeschool laws no longer require a notice of intent or curriculum paperwork (unless your child uses public school sports or special education), getting started is pretty low-barrier. Here's what the process actually looks like:

Step 1 - Withdraw from public school (if applicable)

Write a letter to your child's school letting them know you're switching to a home-based educational program. It's not legally required, but it creates a clear record of when you made the switch and helps avoid any truancy complications.

Step 2 - Choose your curriculum approach

Wyoming places no restrictions on curriculum. Options range from packaged programs and online learning platforms to co-op-based coursework, unschooling, and a custom mix of all of the above.

Step 3 - Set up your learning environment

Pick a workspace, gather your materials, and build a loose daily schedule. Some families thrive with more structure; others do well with more flexibility. Try different things and adjust as you learn what works for your child.

Step 4 - Connect with your local homeschool community

Reach out to Homeschool Wyoming or Homeschoolers of Wyoming early on. The hands-on experience of families already doing this in your area is worth more than most written guides.

Step 5 - Start keeping records

Wyoming doesn't require it, but build a simple documentation habit from day one. Track courses, books, projects, and grades. Your student's future college applications will reflect the work you put in now.

Wyoming homeschooling gives families the freedom to educate their children the way they believe is best - without the state looking over their shoulder. For families ready to take that responsibility seriously, it is one of the best environments in the country to do it.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal advice. Always consult current Wyoming statutes and official state resources before making decisions about your child's education.

References

Home School Legal Defense Association. How to comply with Wyoming's homeschool law. HSLDA.

Homeschool Wyoming. Wyoming homeschool law. Homeschool Wyoming.

Homeschoolers of Wyoming. About HOW. Homeschoolers of Wyoming.

Wyoming Legislature. (2025). Wyoming Homeschool Freedom Act. Wyoming Legislature.

Wyoming Department of Education. Home-based education. Wyoming Department of Education.