Do Virginia homeschoolers need to include their child’s birth date on their notice of intent to homeschool? Some school officials request a child’s date of birth on a notice of intent to homeschool, but parents are not required to comply….
Read MoreHomeschool Q&A File a NOI if Moving to Virginia Late in the Year
If I move to begin homeschooling in Virginia late in the year, do I still need to file a Notice of Intent and submit test scores in August? This week, Yvonne Bunn, HEAV’s director of homeschool support, answers this question…
Read More
Q&A Live with Yvonne Bunn!
Welcome! Here is our inaugural live question-and-answer video with Yvonne Bunn, HEAV director of homeschool support! Yvonne writes the widely read Q&A in our e-newsletter, the Virginia Homeschool Update, each week. This weekly Q&A Live session on Facebook gives you…
Read More
Homeschool Probation by Mistake
A. I received a letter that I have been put on probation! I hand-delivered my Notice of Intent and test scores at the same time. My children scored above average. What should I do? B. This may be a mistake….
Read More
Homeschool Diploma for Option 1
Q. After submitting my out-of-state homeschool diploma for the first option on the Notice of Intent, the superintendent’s office replied that I must have an accredited diploma. Is this correct? A. The first option of the Virginia homeschool statute §22.1-254.1(A)…
Read More
New Address Notification
Q. I moved and filed a new Notice of Intent. I also sent written notice to the previous superintendent that we moved out of his county. He responded in a letter that in order to comply with the law, I…
Read More
Withdrawal in Person
Q. Does the law require a parent to withdraw his child in person from public school? A. The law does not specifically address the procedure for withdrawing a child from public school. Each school district has its own withdrawal policy. Some…
Read MoreSuperintendent Reply Late
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…
Read More
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 MoreSend Diploma Every Year
Q. Should I send in my high school diploma each year I file a Notice of Intent? A. The law requires proof of how you have complied with the option you have chosen on the NOI. For option (i), you…
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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 More
Withdrawing 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 More
