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Homeschooling in Virginia: Guidance for Getting Started
If you are looking for information about homeschooling in the Old Dominion State, this guide has everything you need to get started! Discover the most relevant information for new homeschoolers in Virginia, including the legality of homeschooling, state regulations and overall homeschool requirements. You’ll find specifics for students transitioning from public school as well as getting started with your brand new 5 year old. This is the best homeschool guidance for anyone considering homeschooling in the state of Virginia.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not written as legal advice. Check with your local school board and official Virginia laws before making decisions about educating your children.
Is it easy to homeschool in Virginia?
Homeschooling is considered a “moderate regulation state” by the Home School Legal Defense Association. This means that it is relatively easy to homeschool in Virginia with the understanding that you will be required to provide some regular documentation of progress to the state.
The good news is, homeschooling is quite popular in Virginia. For example, there are more than 200 support groups for homeschoolers throughout the state.
What are the requirements for homeschooling in Virginia?
There are four different options to consider as you contemplate homeschooling in Virginia. You must meet one of the following homeschooling statutes:
- The Home Instruction Statute
- The Private Tutor Statute
- The Religious Exemption Statute
- The Private School Statute
The statute that best aligns with your family’s needs will inform your obligations and necessary homeschool documentation requirements. Let’s explore each option.
The Home Instruction Statute
This statute requires that you possess the appropriate home instructor qualifications: a high school diploma, or a valid Virginia State teaching license, or an approved curriculum/distance learning program or demonstrate that you are able to provide your child with an “adequate education”.
In this option, you must file with the school superintendent by August 15th of each year. This must include a notice of intent to homeschool, an acknowledgment that you meet one of the state’s home instructor qualifications, and a curriculum description with a list of subjects for each child.
In addition, each year, you are required to provide one of four types of evaluations to the school superintendent. These include standardized test scores, a letter from a licensed teacher or person with a master’s degree or higher stating that the child is progressing academically, a transcript or report card from a community college or distance learning program or a previously agreed upon record of learning.
Christina L, a Sonlight mom in Newport News, Virginia shares,
In my opinion, it’s really easy to homeschool in Virginia. You need to fill out an annual NOI (Notice of Intent) that includes a list of subjects studied for the year. Children of age also need to provide some sort of Proof of Progress (standardized testing or an evaluation) every year. However, there are no days/hour requirements, no subject requirements, no required report cards to the local district, or anything else that some states require.”
The Private Tutor Statute
If a parent possesses a current Virginia teacher certification, they may use the certified tutor provision for their homeschool. Teacher certification must be approved by the superintendent, but no end-of-year assessments are required.
The Religious Exemption Statute
This unique statute allows a local school board to excuse a child from school if the child, “together with his parents, by reason of bona fide religious training or belief is conscientiously opposed to attendance at school.” In order to secure a religious exemption, you must send a letter to the school board, outlining your beliefs and how they relate to your objection to enrolling your child in public school. The school board will reply with all necessary next steps to complete the religious exemption process.
The Private School Statute
In the state of Virginia, private school students are allowed to attend their school program from home, as long as attendance is the same number of hours each day, the same number of days each school year and in the same timeframe as public schools. While this option may resemble homeschooling, the student is enrolled in the private school for all educational requirements.
How many days are required for homeschool in Virginia?
No matter which option you choose, homeschooled students are required to complete 180 days or 990 hours of instruction.
You can homeschool any time or day of the year you want, so I like having a very flexible homeschool schedule. The climate of our state is mostly warm during spring/summer/fall, so there are lots of opportunities to homeschool outdoors instead of inside. We have actually homeschooled on the beach before.” - Christina L., Newport News, Virginia, and Sonlight Mom
Virginia does not require attendance records to be maintained, nor does it require parents to submit attendance records. The state of Virginia allows parents autonomy in determining the days and hours in which homeschooling will take place.
Do homeschoolers have to take standardized tests in Virginia?
Virginians homeschooling under the Home Instruction Statute are required to provide one of four types of evaluations to the school superintendent each year. One of the four options is a standardized test.
Do you have to be certified to homeschool in Virginia?
Who is eligible for homeschooling in Virginia?
Is unschooling legal in Virginia?
Do homeschoolers have to take standardized tests in Virginia?
Can I homeschool someone else's child in Virginia?
Do you have to have a curriculum when homeschooling in Virginia?
When filing with the school superintendent each year, you must include a “curriculum description” with a list of subjects for each child. However, there is no set curriculum requirement for the state of Virginia. You are free to choose the learning resources you feel work best for your child for each academic subject.
Looking for homeschool curriculum resources can be a daunting task. You now know the state requirements for homeschooling in Virginia, but the curriculum decision is all yours. Although legally, you are allowed to homeschool without a set curriculum, having an engaging and comprehensive curriculum makes homeschooling so much easier!
The Sonlight All-Subjects Package covers everything you need to homeschool in Virginia. You’ll rest assured that your curriculum not only covers all state requirements but provides a rich and appealing learning experience for your child.
As you consider homeschool curriculum options, you may wonder about online homeschool programs. While online learning has its place in homeschooling, there are invaluable benefits to Sonlight’s Literature Based Approach. The power of literature and story in learning is the basis of all Sonlight curriculum options, creating an engaging, holistic environment for growing young minds.
What do I need to homeschool my child in Virginia?
After completing the initial annual filing with your superintendent, you are ready to begin to create your day to day routine and plan for learning. Here are two videos to help you prepare.
Getting Starting as a Virginia homeschooler
How does homeschooling in Virginia really work in real life on a daily basis? Let’s discuss more practical considerations for homeschooling in the state of Virginia.
The first place to start is with your annual notice of intent to homeschool. Once you have the appropriate paperwork filed with the superintendent, we recommend that you build your homeschool knowledge with our 101 Guide to Getting Started as a Homeschooler.
Next, you’ll need to choose a curriculum for learning in your homeschool. Your choice should reflect the subjects you included in your notice of intent to homeschool.
Finally, we recommend that you designate a specific area in your home for all of your homeschool books and supplies. It is not necessary to have an entire, dedicated room for homeschooling. In fact, many families report the dining room table or living room couch as the place they homeschool most.
At what age is school mandatory in Virginia?
The mandatory age for school enrollment in the state of Virginia is 5 years old. Your child must attend school until they reach their 18th birthday, when they are no longer required to submit to school statutes.
Can you skip kindergarten in Virginia?
Because school is compulsory beginning at age 5, some sort of kindergarten is required. However, as a homeschooler, you choose what your child learns in their kindergarten year.
For homeschooling prior to first grade, Sonlight offers the following early years programs:
How long can you homeschool a child in Virginia?
You can homeschool a child for the entirety of their K-12 education. Or, you may choose to homeschool any combination of years. Homeschooling in Virginia is available to you for as many or as few years as make sense for your family’s needs.
Must-see Virginia Field Trips for Homeschoolers
Parents report that one of the best parts of homeschooling in Virginia is the wealth of historic sites and resources available for field trips.
The Marine Corp museum offers STEM homeschool days. Mt Vernon has homeschool days. Many sports teams have homeschool sports events at earlier times in the day. There are so many art galleries, theater productions, historic sites, museums.” Martika J. DC Area, Sonlight Mom
Take a look at some of the most popular field trips for homeschoolers in Virginia.
- The Challenger Space Center
- Virginia Marine Science Museum
- Colonial Williamsburg (Check out Sonlight's free Historic Williamsburg homeschool travel guide too!)
- Belmont Estate
- Shenandoah Shakespeare’s Education Center
- Science Museum of Virginia
- Natural Bridge Zoo
- Norfolk Botanical Gardens
- Pocahontas Mine and Museum
- The American Civil War Museum
As one of the oldest states in America, it is no surprise that Virginia has so many opportunities for learning outside the confines of your home. If you choose to take advantage of the many field trip options available to you in Virginia, we help you document your learning with our free printable field trip log. This is an excerpt from the Sonlight homeschool planner and a great way to keep track of learning on the go!
Financial Considerations for Homeschooling in Virginia
It is certainly wise to consider the financial needs associated with homeschooling. On average, it costs between $500 to $2500 a year to homeschool one child. That being said, there are many factors to evaluate when it comes to the dollars and cents of homeschooling.
How much does it cost to homeschool in Virginia?
The greatest expense to consider when homeschooling is typically curriculum and other learning materials. Another cost to take into consideration is the potential loss of income. Most families find that one parent will need to give up full time employment in order to best meet the needs of homeschooling.
If you would like to learn more about what you can expect financially as you homeschool in Virginia, take a look at our comprehensive guide, How Much Does Homeschooling Cost?
Does Virginia pay for homeschooling?
How can I homeschool in Virginia for free?
Partnering with Schools in Virginia
While Virginia law does not require schools to offer access classes and extracurricular activities to homeschoolers, your child may be allowed to participate on a case-by-case basis. Each school district has its own process for determining a homeschooled child’s eligibility for classes and activities.
Christian Homeschooling in Virginia
Many families come to homeschooling because of their desire to weave religious beliefs into a holistic approach to education. Christian homeschoolers typically add the following to their educational plan::
- Bible texts as a part of the curriculum
- Christian biographies as part of reading requirements
- Prayer for missionaries and others
- Educational discussions through the lens of faith
The good news is, Sonlight is a curriculum that already has all these Christian components. Sonlight is the original and the standard for Christian literature-based homeschool curriculum.
There are ample resources for Christian homeschoolers in the state of Virginia, including HEAV (Home Educators Association of Virginia). HEAV is a homeschool organization with a foundational biblical worldview. They offer resources, local support groups, and annual conventions to support Christian homeschooling in Virginia.
Finding Homeschool Community in Virginia
Ask any veteran homeschooler and they will share the incredible value of finding a community of homeschoolers to share in your educational journey. Whether you are looking for a mentor or a co-op for social interaction, finding community is an important part of homeschooling.
Opportunities for connection and community in Virginia are plentiful. As mentioned above, HEAV offers sponsored events throughout the year and also supports homeschool groups and co-ops throughout the state.
In addition, Sonlight can help you find the connection you need in Virginia. Begin on our Sonlight Connections Page and look for an in-person homeschool group in Virginia. Then, join the Sonlight Facebook group to connect with other like-minded homeschoolers in Virginia.
Homeschooling High School in Virginia
The requirements for homeschooling high school in the state of Virginia are the same as any other grade level. You will still file your notice of intent and submit evaluations at the end of the year if you are homeschooling under the Home Instruction Statute. The only difference is that graduation requirements will necessarily be a component of your curriculum planning.
What is a typical high school course of study in Virginia?
Graduation requirements include the following in Virginia:
- Language Arts - 4 years
- Mathematics - 3 years
- Science - 3 years
- Social Studies - 3 years
- Electives - 4 years (with some years optionally having 2 or more electives)
As with every other grade level, how you choose to teach these subjects is entirely up to you in Virginia. You choose the course of study that best suits your high schooler’s needs. Sonlight has high school programs to meet Virginia graduation requirements and cultivate a love of learning to last a lifetime.
High School Transcripts
A part of homeschooling a high school student may also involve preparing transcripts for post secondary education. We have everything you need to appropriately create an exceptional high school transcript for your homeschooled graduate.
Preparing your learner for life after homeschool is what this journey is all about. Sonlight is dedicated to providing you with the tools and resources you need throughout your homeschool years.
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