INHSA, Inland Northwest Homeschool Spelling Association, home

Next bee Sat, Jan 9, 2027 · Coeur d'Alene

Your path to the National Spelling Bee starts at home.

The Inland Northwest Homeschool Spelling Association (INHSA) runs the homeschool spelling bee for 4th–8th graders in North Idaho and northeastern Washington.

Join free Check eligibility

Membership is free and required to compete.

Next homeschool bee

INHSA Homeschool Spelling Bee

  • Idaho Wildlife Museum, Coeur d'Alene · sponsored by the Idaho Character Foundation
  • One winner from each state, Idaho and Washington, advances to the regional bee
Questions? Contact us

How it works

Four steps from your kitchen table to D.C.

INHSA runs the first two steps. Here's how a homeschooled speller gets from our bee to the national stage.

  1. Join INHSA

    Before bee day

    Create a free family account.

  2. Homeschool bee

    Our bee at the Idaho Wildlife Museum in Coeur d'Alene. One winner from each state, Idaho and Washington, advances to the regional bee.

  3. Regional bee

    Our winners compete at the Inland Northwest Spelling Bee (opens in a new tab), the regional bee, at North Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene. Nearly 200 spellers take part.

  4. National bee

    May

    The regional bee's top speller (or top two, when Scripps allows) advances to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Each speller gets an all-expenses-paid trip with one parent or guardian.

What spellers can win

Prizes at every stage, from our bee to nationals.

  1. Homeschool bee

    Trophies and up to $1,000 in cash.

  2. Regional bee

    Each speller the regional bee sends to nationals (the top speller, or top two when Scripps allows) gets an all-expenses-paid trip with one parent or guardian to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., in May.

  3. National bee

    The Scripps National Spelling Bee champion wins $50,000.

Why spell?

Skills that outlast bee day

Vocabulary, memory, public speaking, and a lifelong love of learning: a bee builds skills that go well beyond spelling.

  • Become a stronger speller

  • Build confidence

  • Compete with the best

  • A life-changing experience

More about INHSA

Ready to join?

Membership is required to compete.

  1. Create your free family account.
  2. Confirm your speller meets every requirement.
  3. Start studying the Words of the Champions list on our Resources page.
  4. Mark your calendar: Saturday, January 9, 2027, at the Idaho Wildlife Museum.
Join free