Welcoming Homeschooling While Safeguarding Parish Mission
Diocese of Arlington Clarifies Use of Parish Property by Homeschool Organizations
The Catholic Diocese of Arlington has issued an updated Policy Regarding Homeschool Organizations and Their Use of Parish Property, effective August 1, 2026, reaffirming its strong support for Catholic homeschooling while clearly outlining expectations for the use of parish facilities.
The Diocese recognizes homeschooling as a profound expression of the Church’s teaching that parents are the primary educators of their children. Catholic homeschooling families offer a vital witness to the faith, forming what the Church calls a “domestic church” rooted in virtue, prayer, and learning. As homeschooling has grown across the Diocese, the policy seeks to foster healthy collaboration between parishes and homeschool groups while safeguarding parish resources, autonomy, and mission.
Parish Life and Homeschool Autonomy
Parishes exist primarily to serve the Church’s sacramental and ministerial life, and parish facilities are sustained by the generosity of parishioners. While homeschools may request use of parish property for classes or community-building, the Diocese emphasizes that homeschool organizations are not parish ministries. Rather, they are autonomous entities created and governed by parents, responsible for their own curriculum, staffing, finances, and operations.
To address the wide variety of homeschooling arrangements, the policy distinguishes between Independent Homeschool Organizations and smaller or less structured homeschool groupings.
Independent Homeschool Organizations
A homeschool group is considered an Independent Homeschool Organization if it meets any of the following criteria: it includes five or more families, meets more than twice per week, provides organized academic instruction, allows students to be left without parental supervision, or charges tuition or employs paid instructors.
Such organizations must meet several requirements before using parish property. These include establishing legal and operational independence from the parish, maintaining full financial responsibility, carrying appropriate insurance coverage, and executing an approved Facilities Use Agreement. Parish ministries always retain priority in scheduling, and pastors retain discretion regarding facility use and fees.
Commitment to Child Protection and Catholic Identity
The policy places strong emphasis on child protection. All adults who have substantial contact with children other than their own must comply with the Diocese’s Child Protection Policy, including background checks, CPS registry clearances, and safe environment training. These requirements are administered through the parish and are the responsibility of the homeschool organization.
Independent Homeschool Organizations must also follow diocesan policies related to sacramental preparation and may not use a parish’s name or branding as part of their organizational identity.
Other Homeschool Groups
Homeschool groups that do not meet the criteria for independence may still request use of parish space. Such requests are reviewed on a case‑by‑case basis at the discretion of the pastor and the Diocese and may include additional requirements, such as renter’s liability insurance and signed agreements by participating adults. Final approval rests with diocesan leadership.
A Shared Mission
By clarifying expectations and responsibilities, this policy seeks to support homeschooling families while preserving the integrity of parish life. In doing so, the Diocese of Arlington continues to affirm both the freedom of parents in educating their children and the vital mission entrusted to every parish community. To read the full policy, please click the attachment below.