Homeschooling Caregivers who choose to educate their children at home, as allowed under Massachusetts law and District Policy, can fulfill their requirements of the compulsory attendance statute by having their educational program reviewed and accepted in advance by the Worcester Public Schools. Students enrolling in homeschool for the initial year must attend their assigned school until approval has been received. The Homeschool Plan Form may be submitted electronically. PDF versions are also available on the WPS Homeschooling Webpage.

To avoid miscommunication and to ensure compliance with the homeschooling approval law, caregivers are requested to give this notice in writing. The Worcester Public Schools shall do whatever is feasible to expedite the approval process.

Caregivers are expected to provide evidence of their child's homeschooling program once a year. Students completing high school through homeschooling programs are not eligible for a Worcester Public Schools' diploma.

A student being educated through Homeschooling may have access to public school activities of an extracurricular nature (e.g. sports, clubs) with the approval of the Superintendent or a designee.

The district reserves the right to allow enrolled students to have precedence or priority over the homeschooled student with regard to placement on sports teams and activities that have limited enrollment. With approval of the Superintendent or designee, and in consultation with the principal, a homeschooled student may participate in sports teams and activities that have limited enrollment provided they do not displace an enrolled student. Homeschooled students applying to participate in district-sponsored sports must follow athletic eligibility guidelines.

In order to gain approval for Homeschooling the parent/guardian submits a Homeschool Plan Form for each child to WPS. Information required included student's information, curriculum, materials, and plan to document progress. Upon completion and submission, initial plans are approved, and renewal plans are approved once evidence of progress has been submitted and reviewed. Schools are notified only of initial approval, at which time students are unenrolled from WPS.

Homeschooling students receiving special education services are eligible to receive these services and parents/guardians must also contact the special education department to arrange for this.

Students seeking initial approval must continue to attend WPS-assigned school until approval is received. There is no approval needed for kindergarten, or students over 16 years of age.

TEC Connections Academy Commonwealth Virtual School (TECCA) and the Greater Commonwealth Virtual School (GCVS) are Massachusetts public schools, and students attending these schools are not considered homeschooled. These schools go through typical enrollment procedures at the school level.

If you have questions about the status of a student or homeschooling, please email Victoria Roman.

Homeschool District Policy

Homeschool District Procedures

Homeschool Evidence Submission Form

Homeschool Plan Form