Questions and answers

Spellers don't sign up for the Regional Bee directly. Every speller earns a spot at a school, local or homeschool Bee, and there are no forms or logins on this site. Pick the path that fits you:

• School coordinators: enroll your school with the Scripps National Spelling Bee at spellingbee.com/enrollment (opens in a new tab).
• Families of school spellers: create a free parent account at the Spelling Bee Resource Center (opens in a new tab) for the study lists. Your school must already be enrolled.
• Homeschool families: register for the Homeschool Bee at inhsa.org/register (opens in a new tab).

It's the official regional qualifier for the Scripps National Spelling Bee, for 4th–8th grade spellers in North Idaho and northeastern Washington. Nearly 200 spellers compete, making it one of the largest Regional Bees.

The Idaho Character Foundation sponsors the Bee, the Coeur d'Alene School District facilitates it, and North Idaho College hosts it each February.

More about the Bee

Saturday, February 6, 2027, at Schuler Auditorium in Boswell Hall (opens Google Maps in a new tab) (the Schuler Performing Arts Center), North Idaho College, 880 W. Garden Ave., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814. Participant check-in opens at 9:30 AM, and the Bee begins at 10:00 AM.

Regional Bee details

Yes. Families, future competitors and anyone who wants to cheer on the spellers are welcome to attend.

The Champion(s) advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., in May. Scripps confirms each January whether the region sends one or two.

Each Champion, with one parent or guardian, gets an all-expenses-paid trip to the National Bee.

Spellers in grades 4–8 from North Idaho and northeastern Washington who qualify at a school or local Bee, or at the INHSA Homeschool Bee.

There are two ways in:

• At a school or local Bee: the school enrolls with Scripps and holds its own Bee, then submits its qualifying speller(s) for the Regional Bee by January 31.
• Homeschooled: the speller competes at the INHSA Homeschool Bee on Saturday, January 9, 2027. One winner from Idaho and one from Washington advance to the Regional Bee.

1. Enroll your school with the Scripps National Spelling Bee at spellingbee.com/enrollment (opens in a new tab).
2. Hold your school Bee to find your qualifying speller(s).
3. Submit your qualifying speller(s) by January 31: fill in the regional contestant template and email it to [email protected].

Steps for schools, with the template

Yes, for schools enrolling for the first time. The Idaho Character Foundation reimburses first-time registration fees in full on December 1.

By January 31. Fill in the regional contestant template (it's on the steps for schools page) and email it to [email protected].

Create a free parent account at the Scripps Spelling Bee Resource Center (opens in a new tab). Once your school is enrolled with Scripps, your account gives you access to the study lists.

Your school must already be enrolled. More study tools are on our Resources page.

School spellers qualify through their own school's Bee, so the school needs to enroll with Scripps first. Share our steps for schools with your school: the Idaho Character Foundation reimburses first-time registration fees in full.

Homeschool spellers qualify through the Inland Northwest Homeschool Spelling Association (INHSA). Register at inhsa.org/register (opens in a new tab): set up a family account, then register your speller(s) for the Homeschool Bee. INHSA's site has the eligibility rules.

The 2027 Homeschool Bee is Saturday, January 9, 2027, at 10:00 AM at the Idaho Wildlife Museum in Coeur d'Alene. One winner from Idaho and one from Washington advance to the Regional Bee.

The official rules for the 2027 Inland Northwest Spelling Bee are coming soon. They'll be posted on the Regional Bee page once they're published.

Email or call Dr. Mike Nelson, Deputy Superintendent of the Coeur d'Alene School District, with questions about school enrollment, eligibility or the event: [email protected] or (208) 664-8241.

For the Homeschool Bee, see inhsa.org (opens in a new tab).