Q. I complied with option 4 and mailed my NOI early in July. Should I be concerned that I have not had a reply since other parents I know have received letters from the superintendent? Should I call? A. I…
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Sharing Information
Q. Although we provided test results and then notified that we were moving to another county, our previous superintendent has requested a copy of the “approval” letter from the new superintendent in order to confirm my child is being homeschooled….
Read MoreNOI: GED or Higher
Q. I have a GED as well as an undergraduate and graduate degree. May I send one of my degrees in lieu of my GED? A. Yes, a high school diploma or a higher degree satisfies option (i) on the…
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Homeschooling Kindergartener for One Year
Q. My child is four and will miss the September 30 cut-off date for kindergarten by a few days. If I homeschool him this year, will they take him as a first grader next year in public school? A. You…
Read MoreDeadline to Begin
Q. Can I begin homeschooling now? A. Yes, you can begin homeschooling after the school year has begun! You may begin after the August 15th deadline if you have recently moved into a school division or if you decide to…
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Homeschooling with a GED
Q. How can I homeschool since I do not have a high school diploma, but a GED? A. Regrettably, a GED is not accepted as a high school diploma for home instruction.* There are two ways a parent who does…
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NOI Denied Without Test Scores
Q. We homeschooled last year but didn’t test because my teen wanted to go to public school this year. After eight weeks, I took him out and filed a NOI to begin homeschooling, but the superintendent denied my NOI because…
Read MoreResponse Letter
Q. I received a Notice of Intent response letter from my superintendent stating that my child must be tested in the spring and results sent by August 1. My child is a five-year-old kindergartener. Is this correct and what should…
Read MoreStopped Homeschooling – What To Do
Q. I filed a Notice of Intent (NOI) a few weeks ago, but have since enrolled my children in private school. What should I do about the NOI? A. Although the law does not require you to notify the superintendent…
Read MoreMoving to a New County
Q. Although we provided test results and then notified that we were moving to another county, our previous superintendent has requested a copy of the “approval” letter from the new superintendent in order to confirm my child is being homeschooled….
Read MoreCertified Tutor – Names and Birth Dates
Q. After acknowledging receipt of my certified tutor letter, the superintendent asked for my children’s birth dates and said he expected yearly notification. Is this correct? A. If you complied with §22.1-254(A) by writing a letter and including a copy…
Read MoreGrandparent Homeschooling Grandchild
Q. Can a grandparent homeschool his or her grandchild? A. Although Virginia law does not specifically address this question, under the right circumstances, the law does permit a grandparent to homeschool a grandchild. If the parents comply with the homeschool…
Read MoreDiploma Lost
Q. I’m about to send in my Notice of Intent, but I can’t find my diploma. Should I use option (iv) on the NOI? A. You can, but you have another option. Contact your high school or college and ask…
Read MoreBirth Date and NOI
Q. I received a positive response to my Notice of Intent from the superintendent’s office, but on a separate slip of paper, they asked for my child’s birthdate in order to help with their recordkeeping. Am I required to send…
Read MoreNotice of Intent with Questions
Q. My superintendent sent a Notice of Intent with lots of additional questions. What should I do? A. Some school districts develop their own Notice of Intent (NOI) forms. They sometimes ask for more information than the law requires. You…
Read MoreWithdrawing from School
Q. What do I do if I want to take my child out of school to homeschool now? A. First, fill out a Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction form (NOI) or write a personal letter to the superintendent….
Read MoreCertified Tutor and Notice of Intent
Q. If I file under the certified tutor statute, do I also need to provide a Notice of Intent? A. If you comply with the certified tutor statute by sending a letter and your credentials for the superintendent’s approval, do…
Read MoreNotification Deadline Passed
Q. Is it too late to begin homeschooling now? A. No, it’s not too late to begin homeschooling. Parents may begin homeschooling after the August 15 deadline if they move into a new school division, or if they decide to…
Read MoreSpecial Needs and Parents’ Rights
Q. May I remove my preschooler with special needs from school and educate him at home? Are there additional requirements? A. According to the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA), school districts must locate, identify, and evaluate children aged 3–22…
Read MoreBirth Dates Required by Superintendent
Q. Am I required to provide my child’s date of birth on my city’s Notice of Intent form? A. No, the Virginia homeschool law, §22.1-254.1, DOES NOT require parents to disclose the birth dates or the grade levels of their…
Read MoreAssessment Evaluators
Q. Who can evaluate my child in order to comply with the law? A. The answer depends on the option you have chosen for the evaluation. If you have filed a Notice of Intent form, you have several options for…
Read MoreTesting If in Private School
Q. Should I send in test scores if my child is enrolled in a private school for her core classes, and I homeschool her for only one subject? A. You may or may not have to provide test scores, depending…
Read MoreNotice of Intent Recipient
Q. When filing a Notice of Intent, should I send it to the superintendent’s office or to the person listed on the school division’s website? They are two different people. A. The Virginia homeschool statue requires parents to “notify the…
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Test if Beginning Mid Year
Q. If I begin homeschooling in January, will I be required to test and send in the results by August 1? A. Yes, if you filed a Notice of Intent and begin homeschooling any time during the school year—even as…
Read MoreDate of Birth Required
Q. My superintendent’s office says my child’s date of birth is required for their database. Does the homeschool law require that I provide this information? A. The homeschool law does not require parents to submit a child’s date of birth…
Read MoreBeginning After the Deadline
Q. Can I begin homeschooling now, even though it’s past the August deadline? A. Yes, according to the homeschool statute. Parents may begin homeschooling after the August 15 deadline for two reasons: 1) if they move into a new school…
Read MoreReligious Exemption
Q. I’ve filed a Notice of Intent for several years, and have now decided to change to religious exemption. Do I have to explain why I didn’t initially file under religious exemption? A. If you write a letter to…
Read MoreHow to Begin Mid Year
Q. I never thought I’d be asking this question, but what should I do if I want to begin homeschooling now? I know I’ve missed the deadline, so what is the process? A. This is a question we’re often asked…
Read MoreHomebound vs. Homeschool
Q. What is the difference between “homeschooling” and “homebound instruction”? A. Homeschooling means you, the parent, are responsible for the education of your child. You choose the subjects to be taught, based on your child’s age and ability. You choose…
Read MoreNotice of Intent Postmark
Q. Does my letter of intent need to be postmarked by August 15 or physically in my superintendent’s office by August 15th? A. Your Notice of Intent should be postmarked by the August 15 deadline. You can write a letter…
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