Thinking about homeschooling in Virginia? You can do this, and the process is straightforward when you know the requirements. Virginia law offers several pathways to homeschool legally. Below is a breakdown of each option so you can choose what works best for your family and stay compliant.
Option 1: Home Instruction
This is the most common homeschooling pathway in Virginia. To use this option, you’ll need to meet qualification, notice, and evaluation requirements.
1. Meet One of Four Instructor Qualifications
You must qualify in at least one of these ways:
- Hold a high school diploma or higher degree
- Hold a current Virginia teaching license
- Provide your child with a curriculum or program of study as part of your home instruction
- Provide evidence that you are able to give your child an adequate education
2. Submit an Annual Notice of Intent
- When: File by August 15 each year. If you move into the district or begin homeschooling mid-year, file “as soon as practicable.”
- What to include: A notice to your local school district superintendent stating your intent to homeschool, your instructor qualification, and a curriculum description. The curriculum description is simply a list of subjects you plan to cover for each child.
- Approval: You do not need the superintendent’s approval to begin. Filing the notice is sufficient.
3. Provide an Annual Evidence of Progress
By August 1 each year, submit an evaluation showing your child made adequate educational growth. This applies to children age 6+ by September 30 of the school year. Choose one of these evaluation methods:
- Standardized test: Results from any nationally-normed test showing a composite score at or above the 23rd percentile. ACT, SAT, or PSAT scores qualify.
- Professional evaluation: A letter from a licensed teacher in any state, or someone with a master’s degree or higher in an academic subject, stating your child is making adequate progress.
- Report card/transcript: From a community college, college, correspondence school, or distance learning program.
- Other assessment: Any evaluation the superintendent agrees shows adequate growth. Check with your district early if you plan to use this option.
If progress is not adequate: You may be able to continue by submitting a remediation plan for the superintendent’s approval. If progress is still not adequate after another year, home instruction must stop. You have 30 days to appeal a superintendent’s decision.
Pro tip: Complete testing in May or June. If results don’t show adequate progress, you’ll have time to use a different evaluation method before the August 1 deadline.
Option 2: Religious Exemption
Virginia law allows a school board to excuse a child from compulsory attendance if the child and parents have a bona fide religious belief opposing school attendance.
1. Submit an Application Letter to Your School Board
- State clearly that you’re requesting an exemption under Virginia’s religious exemption statute.
- Explain how your beliefs lead to the conviction that public school attendance would be wrong for your child.
- Confirm you are training your child in those same beliefs, if true.
- Avoid discussing philosophical, moral, political, or social reasons — the law excludes those as grounds for exemption.
- Mail the letter promptly and keep a copy for your records.
The board may request supporting letters confirming the sincerity and religious nature of your beliefs.
2. Wait for the Board’s Response
You can begin homeschooling once your letter is on file, though technically your child isn’t excused until the board acts. Boards often meet monthly, so if you haven’t heard back in 2 months, send a follow-up.
If the district insists your child remain in school pending approval, you can file a Notice of Intent under the Home Instruction option as a temporary measure.
When you receive your exemption letter, read it carefully and store it permanently. Some letters require annual renewal.
3. Add Other Children & Renew if Required
Exemptions don’t automatically cover siblings unless stated. If your letter says to reapply yearly, plan to do so.
Option 3: Certified Tutor
A parent or other individual with a current Virginia teaching license can be approved by the superintendent as a tutor. Once approved, that tutor can teach any child, including their own, and the child is considered compliant with compulsory attendance.
How it works:
- Request approval from your local superintendent based on your teaching license.
- You’re not required to list which children you’ll tutor or mention homeschooling in the request.
- Once the superintendent confirms your license is valid, they must approve you.
Option 4: Private School Enrollment
Virginia allows private school students to receive instruction at home if attendance meets public school standards for hours per day, days per year, and the same time period.
This path means you’re operating under private school law, not home instruction law. Establishing a private school has additional legal and administrative requirements. Check Virginia Department of Education guidelines for details on starting and maintaining a private school.
Key Reminders for All Virginia Homeschoolers
- Ages covered: Compulsory attendance applies to children who are age 5 by September 30 through age 18.
- Deadlines matter: August 15 for Notice of Intent, August 1 for annual evaluations under Home Instruction.
- Keep records: Maintain copies of your notice, curriculum list, test results, and any correspondence with your district.
