Homeschool Requirements in Virginia

Virginia calls homeschooling "home instruction." There are two yearly dates to know: your notice by August 15, and evidence of progress by August 1. Here's the whole year, in plain English.

Natalie Riggs

Homeschool mom of two and co-founder of Packet Day

✓ Last verified October 2026 against the Code of Virginia (§ 22.1-254.1)

Virginia notices go to your division superintendent by August 15 each year. Evidence of progress is due by August 1 after each school year.

The short answer ⚡

Yes. Send a notice of intent to your division superintendent by August 15 each year, with a list of subjects and evidence you meet one of four parent options. By August 1 after each year, send evidence of progress: a test score or an evaluation.

Virginia at a glance 📋

Notify the district: Yes; A notice of intent by August 15 each year
Parent qualification: One of four; Such as a high school diploma
Subjects: Your list; Send the subjects you plan to study; the law sets none
Evidence of progress: Yes; A test score or an evaluation, by August 1
Portfolio: Not required; The home instruction law doesn't ask for one
Ages: 5 to 18; Starting at 5 by September 30, with a one year delay option

Pick your path 🛤️

Virginia law gives families a few ways to meet compulsory attendance at home. This guide covers home instruction.

Most common

1. Home instruction

You meet one of four parent options, send a notice each August, and show progress each year. The law calls it "an acceptable alternative form of education," and says home instruction isn't a private school.

Religious option

2. Religious exemption

A school board must excuse a pupil who, together with the parents, is conscientiously opposed to school attendance because of bona fide religious training or belief. The request goes to your school board. The law doesn't count political, sociological, philosophical or personal moral views.

Less common

3. A tutor or teacher

A tutor or teacher "of qualifications prescribed by the Board and approved by the division superintendent" can teach your child instead.

School options

4. Public or private school

A public school, or a private, denominational or parochial school.

Your Virginia school year, step by step 🗓️

Everything goes to your local division superintendent, not the state. The law also says your division can't share what you send outside the division without your written consent.

What goes in your notice

Your intent to provide home instruction
A list of the subjects you'll study in the coming year. The law limits the curriculum description to that list.
Evidence that you meet one of the four parent options

By August 15 every year: send your notice of intent to your division superintendent.
Starting mid year, or moving into a new division? Notify the superintendent as soon as practicable, then send the rest within 30 days.
During the year: teach, and plan how you'll show progress, with a test or an evaluation.
By August 1 after the year: send evidence of progress. It isn't needed for a child under 6 on September 30 of that school year.
If progress isn't shown: the program may be placed on probation for one year, with a remediation plan. You can appeal a decision within 30 days.

The four parent options (meet any one)

You hold a high school diploma
You're a teacher of qualifications prescribed by the Board of Education
You provide a program of study or curriculum, delivered by correspondence course, distance learning, or any other manner
You provide evidence that you can provide an adequate education

Evidence of progress (one of these)

A composite score in or above the fourth stanine on any nationally normed achievement test, or an equivalent ACT, SAT or PSAT score
An evaluation or assessment your division superintendent accepts, such as a letter from someone licensed to teach in any state, or with a master's degree or higher in an academic discipline, who knows your child's progress
Or a report card or transcript from a college, college distance program, or home education correspondence school

Good to know

School boards must make AP, PSAT/NMSQT and PreACT exams available to home instructed students

Source: Code of Virginia § 22.1-254.1: Home instruction

Want this as a printable? Get the free Virginia checklist.

Records to keep 🗂️

Virginia's home instruction law doesn't require you to keep a portfolio or attendance records. A few copies will still save you a headache:

Copies of every notice and the qualification evidence you sentOur suggestion
Test score reports or evaluation letters for each yearOur suggestion
A few work samples handy for an evaluator or a remediation planOur suggestion

One folder per school year keeps it simple.

Testing: what Virginia actually requires 🧪

Testing is one of two ways to show progress. A composite score in or above the fourth stanine on any nationally normed achievement test counts, and so does an equivalent ACT, SAT or PSAT score.

Rather not test? An evaluation or assessment your division superintendent accepts works too, such as an evaluation letter from a licensed teacher or someone with a master's degree. Either way, it's due by August 1.

What to teach 📚

Virginia's home instruction law doesn't list required subjects. Each August, you send a list of the subjects you plan to study:

Your notice: a list of subjects to be studied during the coming year

You choose the curriculum. The law limits what you describe to that list of subjects.

5 mistakes new Virginia homeschoolers make ⚠️

1. Missing August 15.
The notice is due every year, not just the first year.
2. Forgetting the qualification evidence.
Your notice needs evidence that you meet one of the four parent options, not just a letter saying you'll homeschool.
3. Sending a full curriculum.
The law asks only for a list of subjects for the coming year.
4. Missing August 1.
Evidence of progress is due August 1 after each year, for children 6 or older on September 30. Without it, the program may be put on probation.
5. Picking an evaluator who doesn't qualify.
An evaluation letter must come from someone licensed to teach in any state, or with a master's degree or higher in an academic discipline, who knows your child's progress.

Virginia homeschool FAQ 💬

Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Virginia?

Yes. Under the home instruction law, send a notice of intent to your division superintendent every year by August 15. Include a list of the subjects you plan to teach and evidence that you meet one of the four parent options. If you start mid year, notify as soon as you can.

Who can homeschool in Virginia?

A parent qualifies under any one of four options: you hold a high school diploma; you're a teacher with qualifications set by the Board of Education; you provide a program of study or curriculum, by correspondence, distance learning, or any other way; or you show you can provide an adequate education.

What goes in the Virginia notice of intent?

Your intent to provide home instruction, a description of your curriculum, and evidence that you meet one of the four parent options. The law limits the curriculum description to a list of subjects you'll study in the coming year, so you don't need to send lesson plans or book lists.

What if we start homeschooling in the middle of the year?

If you begin home instruction or move into a new school division after the school year has started, notify the division superintendent as soon as practicable. Then you have 30 days from that notice to send the rest: your subject list and evidence that you meet one of the four parent options.

What is evidence of progress, and when is it due?

By August 1 after each homeschool year, send your division superintendent one of two things: a composite score in or above the fourth stanine on a nationally normed achievement test (or an equivalent ACT, SAT or PSAT score), or an evaluation or assessment the superintendent accepts, such as an evaluation letter.

Who can write an evaluation letter?

Someone licensed to teach in any state, or someone with a master's degree or higher in an academic discipline, who knows your child's academic progress. The letter states that your child is achieving an adequate level of educational growth and progress. A report card or transcript from a college or correspondence school also counts.

What happens if I can't show progress?

The program may be placed on probation for one year. You file evidence that you can provide an adequate education plus a remediation plan. If the superintendent accepts them, you continue for that year. If not, or if progress isn't shown the next August 1, home instruction ends. You can appeal within 30 days.

Does my five year old need evidence of progress?

No. Evidence of progress isn't required for children under six as of September 30 of the school year. Virginia's attendance law starts at age 5 by September 30, though, so you still file the notice. If your child won't be 6 by then, you can also tell the school board you're delaying a year.

Get your free Virginia checklist ✅

We turned this whole page into a 1 page printable checklist: every notice step, every parent option, every progress deadline. Stick it in your homeschool binder and you're covered.

Plus, make your first learning packet free. 11 to 17 pages, generated around your kiddo in a minute or two.

Sources 📖

Code of Virginia § 22.1-254.1: Home instruction (checked October 2026)
Code of Virginia § 22.1-254: Compulsory attendance (checked October 2026)
Code of Virginia § 22.1-254.2: High school equivalency (checked October 2026)

Last verified October 2026. Requirements are summarized from the sources above.

This page summarizes public information for general reference. It is not legal advice. Laws change; confirm current requirements with your division superintendent, the Virginia Department of Education, or a qualified attorney before making decisions for your family.

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