The short version
In District of Columbia, a microschool usually operates as a private school or a program serving homeschooling families. DC requires 'Approval' (5-E DCMR §2100.2): instruction/staff/facilities evidence to the Superintendent; accreditation is an optional path. District of Columbia has a voucher program (DC Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) — federal (SOAR Act)), so eligible families can bring funded tuition. See the District of Columbia funding guide →
District of Columbia funding at a glance
Program: DC Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) — federal (SOAR Act) (voucher) · Award: 2025-26: up to $10,000 (elem/middle), $15,000 (high) · Paid via: Serving Our Children (nonprofit grantee) — NOT a DC agency, NOT ClassWallet
Get the free District of Columbia starter checklist
Free: the District of Columbia microschool starter checklist
Where to begin, what your state requires, and how funding works. No fluff.
Questions founders ask
Do I have to use a specific curriculum?
No. MicroschoolLaunchKit is the compliance and operations layer — use whatever curriculum or model you want. We handle the paperwork around it, not the teaching.
What exactly is ESA / voucher approval?
Many states let families use public scholarship funds for private-school tuition. Getting approved as a provider/vendor is how that money reaches your school. We walk you through it, state by state.
Do you take a cut of my tuition?
Never. It is a flat subscription. Your tuition is 100% yours — unlike franchise networks that take a fee for every student.
Is this legal advice?
No. We give plain-language guidance and sourced requirements, not legal advice. For legal-sensitive decisions we point you to an education attorney.
Official sources (verify current requirements): servingourchildrendc.org · www.ed.gov