Homeschool Laws in Virginia

Virginia's homeschool law gives families meaningful flexibility in teaching methods, assessment format, and parent qualifications. The core requirements are annual notice and an annual demonstration of academic progress.

Legal Basis

Virginia home instruction is governed by Virginia Code § 22.1-254.1, which provides a specific home instruction exemption from compulsory attendance.

Step 1 — Annual Notice of Intent

Each year by August 15th, you must file a written notice of intent to provide home instruction with your school division superintendent.

Your notice must include:

• Child's name and age
• Parent/guardian name and address
• Evidence of your qualification to teach (see below)
• Proposed curriculum or list of subjects

Contact your local school division to find out exactly where and how to submit the notice. Many divisions have an online form or specific mailing address for home instruction notices.

Step 2 — Qualifying to Homeschool

Virginia offers multiple pathways for parents to qualify as home instructors:

Option A — College degree: Hold a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution.

Option B — Licensed teacher: Hold a current Virginia teaching license.

Option C — Curriculum-based: Use a correspondence course or curriculum that is supervised by a correspondence school or school that is in compliance with Virginia's standard for accrediting private schools.

Option D — "Other Qualifications": This is the most flexible option. You may demonstrate that you are "able to provide an adequate education" through other evidence — the school division must accept a showing of qualification. Many parents with no college degree use this option.

Option E — Religious exemption: Under Virginia Code § 22.1-254.1 F, families may obtain a religious exemption if compulsory attendance conflicts with a bona fide religious belief. This is a separate process.

Step 3 — Required Subjects

Virginia does not mandate specific subjects for home-instructed students. You have full freedom to determine what your child studies.

Step 4 — Annual Assessment

At the end of each school year, you must provide the school division with evidence that your child has achieved "an adequate level of educational growth and progress."

Approved evidence options:

1. Standardized test: Any nationally normed standardized test administered by a qualified individual. Results must show the child scored at or above the 23rd percentile on composite or area scores.

2. Evaluation by a licensed teacher: A Virginia-licensed teacher evaluates the portfolio and provides a written narrative of progress.

3. Evaluation by a certified psychologist: A licensed educational psychologist may evaluate the child's progress.

4. Academic records: Transcripts, grades, or other documentation from an educational program or curriculum.

5. Other acceptable evidence: Any other means acceptable to the school division, including portfolios reviewed by the division.

Submit your evidence to the superintendent within the timeframe specified in your division's policy (typically by July–August of the following year).

Compulsory School Age

Virginia's compulsory attendance age is 5 through 18. Children who turn 5 by September 30 must begin school that year unless their parents exercise their right to home instruction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Virginia reject my notice of intent? No. The notice of intent is an administrative filing. The division acknowledges receipt and may ask you to provide qualification evidence, but it cannot deny your right to homeschool.

What happens if my child scores below the 23rd percentile? If standardized test results fall below the 23rd percentile, the division may require you to submit a remediation plan for the following year. However, using a portfolio evaluation instead of a test avoids this threshold entirely.

Are there online support programs for Virginia homeschoolers? Yes — Virginia Homeschool is the statewide advocacy and support organization.

Does Virginia allow dual enrollment? Yes. Homeschooled students in Virginia can enroll in community college dual enrollment courses, which count as both high school credit and college credit.

Key Resources

• Virginia Department of Education — Home Instruction
• Virginia Home Educators (VAHEA)
• HSLDA — Virginia