How to Homeschool in Virginia (2026 Guide)

The short version

Virginia calls homeschooling “home instruction,” and the state has declared it an acceptable alternative form of education when its requirements are satisfied. Each year you file a Notice of Intent with your local school division by August 15, attach a simple list of subjects your child will study, and show that you meet one of four parental qualification options — most families satisfy this with a copy of a high school diploma. At the end of the school year, you submit evidence of your child’s academic progress to the division superintendent by August 1. That evidence can be a standardized test score at or above the 23rd percentile, an evaluation letter from a licensed teacher or someone with a master’s degree, or a transcript from a college or correspondence program. Virginia does not mandate a specific curriculum, does not require any minimum number of daily instructional hours, and does not send inspectors to your home. A separate religious exemption exists under § 22.1-254 for families whose sincerely held convictions oppose school attendance entirely; that pathway operates through your local school board and comes with different obligations. Virginia currently has no state-funded ESA, voucher, or tuition tax credit program for homeschooling families.

Legal basis

Virginia’s compulsory attendance law is Code of Virginia § 22.1-254. It requires every child who turns five on or before September 30 of a school year and has not yet turned eighteen to attend school — unless the child falls within one of the statute’s exemptions. Home instruction under § 22.1-254.1 is one of those exemptions.

§ 22.1-254.1 is the central statute for Virginia homeschooling families. Its first sentence states: “When the requirements of this section have been satisfied, instruction of children by their parents is an acceptable alternative form of education under the policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia.” That affirmative policy declaration is meaningful — Virginia does not treat home instruction as a reluctant concession but as a recognized educational choice.

The statute requires parents who choose home instruction to do three things each year: (1) demonstrate that they meet one of four parental qualification options, (2) file an annual Notice of Intent with the local division superintendent by August 15, and (3) submit evidence of their child’s academic progress by August 1 of the following year. Each of those requirements is described in detail below.

§ 22.1-254.1(G) includes an important privacy protection: no division superintendent or local school board may disclose information provided by a parent or student to satisfy the home instruction requirements to the Department of Education or any person outside the local school division, without the written consent of the parent. The superintendent may report only the aggregate number of students receiving home instruction — not family-level details.

§ 22.1-254.1(D) makes clear that nothing in the home instruction statute prevents a family from instead pursuing a religious exemption from attendance under subdivision B 1 of § 22.1-254. The two pathways are separate.

Virginia operates across 132 school divisions (counties and independent cities), and all compliance paperwork goes to your local division superintendent, not to the Virginia Department of Education. The VDOE does not register, approve, or accredit home instruction programs; it provides guidance and aggregates enrollment counts.

Primary VDOE resource: Home Instruction — Virginia Department of Education

Governing statute: Code of Virginia § 22.1-254.1

Parental qualification options

Before filing your annual Notice of Intent, you must be prepared to demonstrate that you meet one of the four qualification options in § 22.1-254.1(A). Only one needs to apply; you choose the one that fits your situation and attach appropriate documentation to your notice.

Option I — High school diploma or higher credential. The parent providing instruction holds a high school diploma, GED, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or any higher credential. This is the option most families use. Attach a copy of your diploma or degree to your notice. If you have misplaced your diploma, an official transcript or a written statement from the issuing school generally suffices.

Option II — Virginia Board of Education teaching qualifications. The parent holds a current Virginia teaching license or otherwise meets the qualifications prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education for teachers. This option is available to licensed educators but is not required — it is simply one path among four.

Option III — Program of study or curriculum. The parent provides the child with a program of study or curriculum, which may be delivered through a correspondence course, a distance learning program, or in any other manner. This option is broad by design. Enrollment in an accredited correspondence school, a virtual academy, or a structured curriculum package from any source can satisfy it. If you have not finished high school but are using a recognized curriculum or enrolling through a distance learning program, Option III is typically the appropriate choice. Documentation might be an enrollment confirmation or a list of subjects taught through the program.

Option IV — Evidence of ability to provide an adequate education. The parent provides evidence that they are able to provide an adequate education for the child. This is the most flexible option and is generally available to any parent who can articulate, in a written statement, why they are capable of educating their child — taking into account life experience, work background, self-directed learning, or any other relevant basis. There is no prescribed format for this statement.

Virginia does not grant or deny these qualifications. The superintendent receives your documentation; they do not have discretion to reject a properly filed notice that meets the statutory requirements.

Notice of intent

§ 22.1-254.1(B) requires every parent providing home instruction to notify their division superintendent annually in August, no later than August 15, of their intention to home instruct. The notice must include:

1. A description of the curriculum, limited to a list of subjects to be studied during the coming year — not a detailed lesson plan, textbook list, or scope and sequence
2. Evidence of having met one of the four parental qualification options in subsection A

That is all the statute requires. The VDOE provides a Sample Notice of Intent form on its home instruction page, but you are not required to use that form — any document that contains the required information is legally sufficient. Many advocacy organizations (HEAV and VaHomeschoolers, described below) publish their own simplified notice forms that mirror the statute’s requirements without additional fields.

Districts vary in what their own forms request. Fields asking for Social Security numbers, immunization records at filing, in-person meetings, notarized statements, or detailed curriculum guides are not required by § 22.1-254.1. You may voluntarily provide additional information, but doing so is not a legal obligation. If a district asserts that your notice is incomplete because you declined to provide something not listed in the statute, ask them to cite the specific statutory authority in writing.

Mid-year beginners: If you withdraw your child from school mid-year or move into a Virginia school division after the school year has begun, § 22.1-254.1(B) says you must notify the superintendent “as soon as practicable” and then comply with all requirements of the statute within 30 days of that notification. You do not have to wait until August to begin — file your notice, then satisfy the documentation requirements within the 30-day window.

Virginia is a notification state. The superintendent does not approve or deny your notice. Filing a notice that meets the statutory requirements is what establishes your legal right to home instruct for that school year. You may begin (or continue) home instruction once the notice is filed and does not need to wait for any acknowledgment letter. The acknowledgment you typically receive is a receipt, not a permission.

Compulsory age: Virginia’s compulsory attendance law applies to children who turn five on or before September 30 of the school year and who have not yet turned eighteen. If your only child is still four years old and will not turn five before September 30, you have no legal obligation to file a notice for that year — though you may choose to begin informal home education. A parent may also delay school enrollment for a five-year-old by one year by notifying the school board that the child is not yet mentally, physically, or emotionally ready, under § 22.1-254(I).

Required subjects

Virginia does not specify a mandatory list of subjects that home instruction must cover. The Notice of Intent requires only that you list the subjects your child will study — and that list is not reviewed for adequacy by the superintendent. Parents have full discretion over what subjects to teach, what curriculum or methods to use, how much time to devote to each subject, and the schedule and pacing of instruction.

The state does not require alignment with the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs), though some families use the SOLs as a voluntary benchmark to ensure their students are progressing at a comparable pace. The VDOE does not review, approve, or endorse any curriculum.

There is no state-mandated minimum number of instructional hours per day or per year for home instruction programs. The statute contains no daily or yearly hour requirement. Families have complete flexibility in structuring their school calendar and daily schedule.

Evidence of academic progress

This is Virginia’s most substantive annual requirement. Under § 22.1-254.1(C), the parent must submit evidence of the child’s academic progress to the division superintendent by August 1 following the school year in which home instruction occurred. Two general categories of evidence are accepted, and within those categories there is meaningful flexibility.

The evidence requirement does not apply to children who are under the age of six as of September 30 of the school year. If your child is five and was home instructed during the year but will not yet be six by September 30, you do not need to submit a progress report for that child.

Category 1 — Standardized test score

The child has attained a composite score in or above the fourth stanine (equivalent to the 23rd percentile or higher) on any nationally normed standardized achievement test. Alternatively, an equivalent score on the ACT, SAT, or PSAT satisfies this requirement.

Parents choose the test. Virginia does not prescribe a particular instrument, does not supply testing materials, and does not fund testing. Commonly used tests include:

• California Achievement Test (CAT)
• Iowa Assessments
• Stanford Achievement Test (Stanford 10)
• TerraNova
• ACT, SAT, or PSAT (note: these tests typically report in percentiles rather than stanines; a national composite at or above the 23rd percentile meets the standard)

Testing may be done through a private testing service, a correspondence school that administers assessments, or some co-ops and support groups. You keep the score report and submit a copy to your division superintendent. You are not required to submit scores to the VDOE.

Probationary year: If a child’s composite score falls below the fourth stanine and the parent submits that score, the superintendent may — but is not required to — place the home instruction program on probation for one year. During the probationary year, the parent must submit a remediation plan addressing any identified educational deficiency, along with evidence of their qualifications under subsection A. If the superintendent accepts the plan, home instruction may continue for that probationary year. If the required evidence is not provided by August 1 following the probationary year, or if the remediation plan is not accepted, home instruction must cease and the parent must make other arrangements compliant with § 22.1-254. Families who find themselves in this situation may appeal within 30 days to an independent hearing officer under § 22.1-254.1(E).

Category 2 — Evaluation or assessment

An evaluation or assessment that the division superintendent determines to indicate adequate educational growth and progress. The statute lists two specific forms:

(a) Evaluation letter. A letter from a person licensed to teach in any state, or a person with a master’s degree or higher in an academic discipline, who has knowledge of the child’s academic progress, stating that the child is achieving an adequate level of educational growth and progress. The evaluator does not need to be a Virginia-licensed teacher — any state’s teaching license qualifies. Many home instruction families use a professional evaluator who reviews a portfolio of the child’s work, conducts an interview, and writes the required letter. Home school advocacy organizations often maintain lists of evaluators willing to work with families.

(b) Report card or transcript. A report card or transcript from an institution of higher education, a college distance learning program, or a home-education correspondence school. This option is particularly useful for older students taking dual enrollment courses or for families enrolled in an accredited correspondence program that issues its own transcripts.

The statute also references, more broadly, an “evaluation or assessment which the division superintendent determines to indicate that the child is achieving an adequate level of educational growth and progress.” If you intend to use something other than the two forms specifically listed — such as a detailed portfolio alone or an alternative assessment instrument — discuss this with your division superintendent early in the school year to confirm that your proposed evidence will be accepted.

Record keeping

Virginia’s home instruction statute does not include a separate record-keeping requirement in the same way that some states’ laws do. There is no statutory obligation to maintain lesson plans, attendance logs, or portfolios for submission to the state.

That said, practical record keeping serves your family well. Families who maintain organized records:

• Have supporting documentation if the superintendent raises questions about the evidence of progress submission
• Have materials to use in creating an evaluation letter
• Can provide transcripts, course descriptions, and grade records for college applications, community college admission, or dual enrollment programs
• Are better positioned if a child returns to public school and the district requests information about prior coursework

At a minimum, keeping a log of subjects covered, noting major projects and assessments, and retaining samples of work across the year gives you a foundation for the annual evidence-of-progress filing. You do not need to send any of this to the school division unless the division specifically requests it in connection with a probationary proceeding.

Diplomas: Virginia home instruction programs may issue their own diplomas upon a student’s completion of a course of study. A home-issued diploma is not a Virginia High School Diploma (which can only be issued by a public school upon satisfying the Board of Education’s diploma requirements), but it is legally recognized for most purposes. Students who want a state-recognized credential may take the Virginia High School Equivalency examination (GED or equivalent approved by the Board of Education). Under § 22.1-254.2, persons age 16 or older who have been instructed by their parents under § 22.1-254.1 and have completed that instruction are eligible to participate in Virginia’s equivalency testing program.

The religious exemption pathway

Virginia offers a distinct pathway for families whose sincerely held convictions — grounded in bona fide religious training or belief — oppose school attendance. This pathway operates under § 22.1-254(B)(1) and is separate from the home instruction statute.

Under § 22.1-254(B)(1), a school board shall excuse from school attendance any pupil who, together with their parents, is conscientiously opposed to attendance at school by reason of bona fide religious training or belief. The statute specifies that “bona fide religious training or belief” does not include essentially political, sociological, or philosophical views, or a merely personal moral code. The belief must be genuinely religious in nature.

To pursue a religious exemption:

1. The family submits a written application letter to their local school board (not the superintendent). The letter should explain the sincerely held beliefs that lead the family to oppose school attendance and should confirm that the child is being trained in the same beliefs.
2. The school board reviews the application. Individual boards vary in their process; some may request additional information or letters from others who can attest to the sincerity of the family’s beliefs. Some boards vote on exemptions at regular board meetings.
3. If the exemption is granted, the school board issues a written determination. Once granted, the family is excused from the compulsory attendance requirement while the exemption is in force. They are not subject to the annual Notice of Intent, subject list, or evidence-of-progress requirements that apply under § 22.1-254.1.

Important considerations:

• The school board — not the superintendent — has authority over religious exemption applications.
• Boards are not uniform in how they review applications. Some are straightforward; others may request a personal appearance or documentation beyond what the statute requires.
• If an exemption is denied, the family may seek judicial review. Until an exemption is formally granted, the family must comply with Virginia’s compulsory attendance law.
• Granting an exemption does not require the family to use any particular curriculum, file annual reports, or demonstrate academic progress. The family is free from those obligations once the exemption is in force.
• An exemption letter may or may not automatically extend to subsequently born children, depending on how it is worded. Review the exemption letter carefully when it arrives.
• If the exemption letter indicates that reapplication is needed in future years, comply with that requirement.

If you are considering the religious exemption pathway, organizations like HEAV (described in the Support section) provide guidance specific to this process, including how to draft the application letter and what to expect from your local school board.

Financial options for Virginia homeschool families

As of June 2026, Virginia does not have a state Education Savings Account (ESA), tuition voucher, or education tax credit program available to homeschooling families. Legislation to establish such programs has been proposed in the Virginia General Assembly in multiple sessions (including HB 1508 in 2023, which was left in committee, and HB 1164 in 2024) but no ESA or voucher program has been enacted. The political landscape in Richmond has been closely divided, and teacher union opposition has been a significant factor in preventing passage.

Virginia’s Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits (EISTC) program does exist but does not benefit homeschoolers directly. It provides state income tax credits to donors who give to approved scholarship foundations, which then award scholarships to eligible students attending participating private schools. Students enrolled in home instruction are not eligible for EISTC scholarships, which fund private school tuition only.

Families should plan around current law and monitor legislative developments through statewide homeschool organizations.

Federal and tax-advantaged options available to Virginia families:

Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA): A federal tax-advantaged account allowing contributions of up to $2,000 per child per year (before age 18). Contributions are not deductible at the federal level, but growth and qualified withdrawals are tax-free. Qualified K–12 expenses — which explicitly include homeschooling costs such as curriculum materials, books, tutoring, educational software, and supplies — may be paid from a Coverdell ESA. Income limits apply: the contribution limit phases out for single filers with modified adjusted gross income above $95,000 and for joint filers above $190,000 (verify current-year limits with IRS Publication 970 or a tax advisor, as these figures can change). Accounts may be opened through banks, credit unions, or brokerage firms.

Virginia Invest529 plan: Virginia’s 529 college savings plan (Invest529, administered by the Virginia College Savings Plan) is one of the more favorable state 529 programs. Virginia residents may deduct up to $4,000 per account per year from their state taxable income (with unlimited carry-forward of amounts above $4,000 into future years). Under the SECURE 2.0 Act and prior federal expansions, 529 funds may now be used for qualified K–12 educational expenses up to $10,000 per year, which can include some homeschool-related expenses depending on how the IRS and Virginia interpret qualifying expenses. The primary use of Invest529 for most homeschooling families remains funding future higher education costs. Consult a qualified tax advisor regarding the state tax treatment of K–12 withdrawals from a Virginia 529 account, as Virginia’s conformity with federal rules on this point has varied.

Public school access: Under § 22.1-254.1(F), school boards must make AP, PSAT/NMSQT, and PreACT examinations available to home-instructed students. School boards are required to notify home instruction families of registration deadlines and the availability of financial assistance for low-income students. Contact your local school division for specific registration procedures.

Virginia law also permits part-time enrollment in public school courses and allows home-instructed students to participate in interscholastic programs, including athletics, provided they meet applicable academic and residency requirements. Availability and specific rules vary by division.

Withdrawing from public school

Virginia does not have a statutory procedure for withdrawing a child from public school to begin home instruction. In practice, the recommended approach is:

1. Draft your Notice of Intent (including your subject list and qualification documentation).
2. Notify the school in writing that you are withdrawing your child to provide home instruction under § 22.1-254.1. Include the child’s name, grade, and the effective withdrawal date. Send this in a form that creates a record — email, certified mail, or hand-delivery with a timestamped copy.
3. Submit your Notice of Intent to the division superintendent at the same time as or immediately after notifying the school.

You may begin home instruction as soon as the notice is filed — you do not need to wait for the district to formally process the withdrawal or send you a confirmation letter.

Mid-year withdrawals: Families who begin home instruction after the school year has started should notify the superintendent as soon as practicable after making the decision and then have 30 days from that notification to submit the completed notice with all required documentation.

Driver education: The VDOE provides an Affidavit for Approval to Provide Driver Education Programs for Parents Approved to Home School, allowing home instruction parents who have been approved by the division superintendent to provide parent-taught driver education to their teenagers. This is an optional program — students may also use a commercial driving school. Contact your local division or the VDOE’s home instruction page for the current affidavit form.

Re-enrolling in public school: When a home-instructed student returns to public school, the local division determines grade placement and credit acceptance through its own policies. Evidence-of-progress reports, portfolios, and any transcripts from correspondence programs or colleges can support those conversations, though the division is not obligated to grant credit for home instruction coursework without its own evaluation.

Students with disabilities: Home-instructed students with disabilities retain some rights related to public school services, which vary by school division. Transitioning to home instruction does not automatically eliminate all special education rights. Families in this situation should contact their local special education office to understand what, if any, services remain available.

Support and community

Virginia has one of the largest and most established homeschool communities in the country, with approximately 66,000 home-instructed students as of the 2025–2026 school year. Two statewide organizations serve families across a range of orientations.

Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV) — heav.org — is the Commonwealth’s primary statewide homeschool organization, founded in 1983. HEAV monitors legislation and maintains a presence at the Virginia General Assembly, advocates before the Department of Education, and publishes legal guidance specific to Virginia home instruction law. It holds an annual convention in Richmond each June that includes a used curriculum fair, speakers, and workshops. HEAV offers guidance on the Notice of Intent, evidence of progress, and the religious exemption process. Membership levels begin at $45 per year and include access to a Virginia Homeschool Manual and legislative updates.

Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers (VaHomeschoolers) — vahomeschoolers.org — is a secular, inclusive statewide organization that serves homeschoolers of all approaches and backgrounds. VaHomeschoolers publishes plain-language guides to Virginia’s home instruction law, maintains an active online community, and connects families with local support groups and co-ops across the state. It does not take religious positions and is oriented toward families who want to ensure their legal compliance without a faith-based framing.

Regional co-ops and local groups are extensive throughout Virginia, with active networks in Northern Virginia, the Richmond metro, Hampton Roads, the Shenandoah Valley, and Southwest Virginia. Both HEAV and VaHomeschoolers maintain directories to help families find groups near them.

Governor’s Schools: Some of Virginia’s Governor’s Schools — residential and day programs offering intensive instruction in academic, technical, and arts disciplines — accept applications from home-instructed students. Admission is competitive. Contact individual Governor’s School programs for eligibility and application details.

Community college dual enrollment: Virginia community colleges offer dual enrollment programs through which home-instructed high school students can earn college credit. A report card or transcript from a community college, used as your annual evidence of progress, satisfies the § 22.1-254.1(C) requirement. Contact individual institutions for their home instruction applicant policies, as requirements vary.