7 Steps to Begin Homeschooling in Virginia

This is a critical step when starting to homeschool. If you know the law, you will have confidence and know your rights as a parent.
There are three basic options for homeschooling in Virginia:

1. The Virginia Home Instruction Statute (file a Notice of Intent to Homeschool with your local superintendent.)
2. The Certified Tutor Statute (for certified teachers)
3. The Religious Exemption Statute (for those with a sincere religious objection)

Most parents homeschool under the Home Instruction Statute §22.1-254.1 (B), which states:

“Any parent who moves into a school division or begins home instruction after the school year has begun shall notify the division superintendent of his intentions to provide home instruction as soon as practicable and shall thereafter comply with the requirements of this section within thirty days of such notice.”

For complete information, visit the law section. You’ll find links to the actual statute and tips on what you need to know.

For a comprehensive overview of your choices, view the Virginia Homeschool Law Flowchart.

Download and complete a “Notice of Intent” or write a letter showing how you have complied with the law. You will need to choose one of the following options:

• Attach a copy of a high school diploma or transcript (either yours or your spouse’s)
• Attach your Virginia teacher certification
• Provide a program of study or a curriculum that may be delivered through a correspondence course or distance learning program or in any other manner
  (attach an acceptance letter or evidence of payment)
• Show evidence that you are able to provide an adequate education for your child.
  (Carefully write a grammatically correct letter stating why you are able to provide a good education for your child)

Once the paperwork is submitted, you may begin homeschooling.

*Make sure to keep all documentation proving that you have submitted what was required by law.

Under option iv, the local superintendent has the responsibility to review the information you provide to determine if you have the ability to provide an education.  Learn more here.

Description of Curriculum

The law requires a limited description of curriculum—just a list of subjects you plan to study during the coming year. (e.g., history, science, math, language arts, music, etc.) Your curriculum is not evaluated or approved by the superintendent; your description merely shows that a curriculum is in place.

Perhaps your initial “Notice of Intent” does not include this description of curriculum because you are still making curriculum decisions (for instance, if you are beginning mid-year.) In that case, you have 30 days from the initial notice of starting to homeschool to complete the requirements and fully comply with the law.

However, once notice has been given in compliance with the statute, your family should be considered legal homeschoolers.

There are several ways to send the notification:

1. You may mail the “Notice of Intent” and attachments to your division superintendent. If you mail it “certified, return-receipt,” you will have a record of the date the superintendent received your notice.
2. You may also hand-deliver the “Notice of Intent” to your superintendent’s office. In this case, ask for a hand-written receipt.
3. Some districts provide for email or online submission. Check the website of your local school district.

Withdrawal from Public School

If you are withdrawing your child from a public school to start homeschooling in Virginia, it is important to file your “Notice of Intent” with your local superintendent before withdrawing your child from public school.

After the date of receipt of your NOI, you may withdraw your child from school without concern for truancy issues; there should be no confusion about complying with school attendance laws. However, if you first take your child out of school, then notify the superintendent, it may raise truancy questions. That could possibly result in a truancy investigation with fines up to $100 per day.

You Are Notifying…Not Asking Permission

As a homeschooling parent, you are not applying for permission or seeking the superintendent’s approval to homeschool. You are simply notifying the superintendent’s office of your intent to provide your child’s education in a manner already approved by the Virginia General Assembly.

The law requires a parent to notify the superintendent of his intent to homeschool, but you are not required to wait for “approval” from the division superintendent before withdrawing and beginning to homeschool.

Find Your Superintendent

Here is a list of superintendents throughout the state.

Get a Receipt

Once you’ve found your superintendent’s address for mailing or hand-delivering your Notice of Intent, be sure to mail the Notice of Intent “return-receipt” for verification the superintendent has received it. If you take it to the office, ask for a date-stamped receipt showing they have received the Notice of Intent from you.

What do I teach my child? As you prepare to start your homeschooling journey, few questions loom larger in your mind. Fortunately, much help is available–online, in books and magazines, and through the HEAV office.

You may purchase a complete curriculum, choose single subjects from different publishers—or even create your own, according to your own vision and your child’s learning styles!

When looking at curriculum options, you may want to study educational philosophies first and then find a curriculum that supports your vision. If you can identify one or two methods that fit your family, you will be able to narrow down the curriculum options. This strategy will save you lots of time (and money!) in the long run by providing more focused research.

Check out our curricula resources page to find some of the most popular homeschool curriculum providers, as well as information on finding used curricula.

HEAV has curriculum counselors who are happy to help as you narrow your choices.

Give us a call Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (804-278-9200)

As soon as you have submitted your notification, you are free to begin homeschooling. You do not need to wait for acknowledgment from the superintendent, but HEAV recommends you keep any documentation as proof you have complied with the law.å

You do not need to keep track of days and hours. The only time requirement is given in 22.1-254 (A) state, in part, “…during the period of each year the public schools are in session and for the same number of days and hours per day as public schools.”  (Interestingly, in recent years, public school days and schedules are not the same throughout Virginia–some districts even have year-round school now.)

The homeschool statute, 22.1-254.1, does not require homeschoolers to keep any records of the days and hours parents teach, nor does the homeschool law require homeschoolers to turn in forms or attendance records. Neither does it define “school” as the time spent sitting at a desk and completing worksheets. For most home educators, “schooling” also includes field trips, life-skill lessons, music, art, sports, reading, and much more.

Take into account that a typical public school day has quite a bit of unproductive time and may also include times for study hall, physical education, and library visits.

With these facts in mind, you should be able to create a  homeschool schedule that is reasonable and fits your family’s needs.

Virginia families who have submitted a Notice of Intent to homeschool must submit proof of progress by August 1 of the following year.

This may be in the form of a nationally normed standardized achievement test. In this case, the student must have a composite score in or above the fourth stanine in order to continue to homeschool. The fourth stanine begins at 23rd percentile.

Many good tests measure different aspects of learning; however, not all tests meet Virginia’s statutory requirements for evidence of progress.

Alternatively, parents may submit an evaluation from a qualified evaluator. 

Click here for more testing information.

Where to Send Homeschool Test Results

Your test results or evaluation letter should be sent to the same person to whom you sent your notice of intent—your division superintendent or his designee.

List of local school divisions and addresses.

Also check out the Testing FAQ for more questions and answers from “Homeschool Q&A,” the popular feature in HEAV’s weekly e-newsletter, the Virginia Homeschool Update. 

Truth be told, the element that often makes the difference for successful homeschooling is the support you find within the community. Gone are the days when homeschoolers were few and far between—once you look, you’ll likely find many connections available to you.

Social media groups are a great option. HEAV’s Homeschooling in Virginia page is a wonderful place to get tips and ideas on curriculum, field trips, teaching methods, and  more

Of course, making a personal connection is invaluable! HEAV networks with more than 220 support groups throughout Virginia. Here is a list of local groups and their contact information. Local support groups provide opportunities for student involvement in various activities and encouragement for new homeschooling parents.

Another option is to attend homeschool field trips. Check here for a list of HEAV-sponsored Homeschool Days, as well as MANY others throughout the Commonwealth.

You may have many additional questions as you move along your homeschool journey. HEAV is here as we have been for 37 years, providing accurate information and encouragement for any parent who needs help. 

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