Virginia Homeschool Laws: What Parents Need to Know

Virginia falls into the "moderate regulation" category for homeschooling. For families using the home-instruction pathways, it requires annual notification and either testing or another evaluation or assessment — but within that framework, families have substantial curriculum freedom. Understanding the exact requirements helps you plan your school year without unnecessary stress.

The Four Ways to Qualify for Home Instruction in Virginia

Virginia Code § 22.1-254.1 provides four ways for a parent to qualify for home instruction:

Option 1: Parent's education. The parent holds a high school diploma or higher credential.

Option 2: Qualified teacher. The parent meets the qualifications of a teacher prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education.

Option 3: Curriculum or correspondence program. The parent provides the child with a program of study or curriculum, including one delivered through a correspondence course or distance learning program.

Option 4: Adequate education. The parent provides evidence that they can provide an adequate education for the child.

All four options still require the annual notice and evidence-of-progress process described below unless another statutory exception applies.

A separate religious exemption under Virginia Code § 22.1-254(B)(1) applies to a bona fide religious objection to school attendance; it is not one of these four home-instruction qualification options.

The Annual Evidence of Progress Requirement

Virginia's biggest administrative requirement for standard homeschooling is demonstrating annual progress. Evidence is due to the local school division by August 1 following the school year. Families choose one of these options:

Option A: Standardized testing. Administer a nationally normed standardized test and submit the results by August 1, showing the child has achieved a composite score at or above the fourth stanine (the 23rd percentile). There are many acceptable tests: CAT (California Achievement Test), Iowa Test of Basic Skills, Stanford Achievement Test, and others. Tests can be ordered directly from publishers or administered through local test centers.

Option B: Other evaluation or assessment. Have the division superintendent consider an evaluation showing adequate educational growth and progress, such as 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 progress.

Option C: School report. A report card or transcript from a community college, college, college distance-learning program, or home-education correspondence school may also serve as evidence of progress.

In practice, most Virginia homeschoolers choose either standardized testing or an evaluation/assessment. The evaluation route is popular with families whose children don't test well — you submit evidence of educational growth rather than test scores.

Curriculum Requirements

Virginia does not mandate a specific curriculum. The requirement is that instruction covers "the curriculum subjects required by the Standards of Learning" — but you have complete freedom in how you cover them.

Virginia's Standards of Learning (SOL) cover: English/language arts, mathematics, science, and history/social studies at each grade level. Physical education and health are also part of public school requirements but are not specifically assessed for homeschoolers under the notification pathway.

The practical implication: any well-regarded homeschool curriculum will cover what Virginia requires. You do not need to buy Virginia-specific curriculum materials or align your daily lessons to specific SOL objectives.

The Notification Process

Each year by August 15, you submit a notice of intent to homeschool to your local school division's superintendent. The notice typically includes:

• Child's name, age, and grade level
• Notification that you intend to provide instruction at home
• List of subjects to be studied for the coming year
• Basis for qualification (high school diploma or higher credential, curriculum, or other qualifying option)

Some Virginia school divisions have online submission portals; others require a paper form. Divisions vary in how they handle the process, so checking your specific school division's website is worthwhile.

What happens if you begin after the school year starts or move into a division? Notify the school division as soon as practicable and comply with the home-instruction requirements within 30 days of the notice.

Transitioning Into Homeschooling Mid-Year

If you're withdrawing your child from public school mid-year in Virginia, notify the school division as soon as practicable and comply with the home-instruction requirements within 30 days. You do not need to seek permission — the notification is a statement of intent, not a request for approval.

If you're withdrawing a student with an IEP (Individualized Education Program), you may want to document your child's current educational status before withdrawing, as public school IEP services end upon withdrawal.

High School and Transcript Considerations

Virginia has no mandatory graduation requirements for homeschoolers. You create your own transcript and award a diploma. A homeschool diploma from a parent is legally valid in Virginia and accepted by Virginia's public universities.

Families planning for college typically structure high school to include:

• At least 4 credits of English
• At least 3–4 credits of mathematics (through Algebra II minimum for most colleges)
• At least 3 credits of science (with lab experiences)
• At least 3 credits of history/social studies

Virginia's public universities (University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, George Mason) all have established homeschool admission processes. Strong SAT/ACT scores are the most important factor; a detailed course-by-course transcript with descriptions is the second.

Choosing Curriculum as a Virginia Homeschooler

Virginia's legal framework gives you full curriculum freedom. The annual assessment requirement is the main planning consideration — if you're using an evaluation or assessment such as a portfolio review, you'll want to save a representative sample of your child's work throughout the year. If you're doing standardized testing, choose a curriculum that covers foundational skills in math and language arts systematically rather than exclusively through project-based or inquiry methods.

For families navigating the Virginia annual assessment while also sorting out which curriculum to use, the US Curriculum Matching Matrix compares the major programs by subject, format, cost, and worldview — helping you find the right fit for your child's learning style without wading through dozens of individual reviews.

See more United States guides →