Virginia Homeschooling Information

Homeschooling in Virginia

Hi, my name is Michelle and I homeschool in Virginia. I am a mother of six, and I've been homeschooling for 11 years now in several states. My children's ages are 15,13,12,10, 2 and a newborn.

If you have questions or comments about homeschooling in Virginia, check out our homeschooling tools and resources or visit our online Virginia support group.

To find out more about the legal requirements for homeschooling in Virginia, articles, and state-specific resources, you can also visit one of these sites:

• Virginia SOL Test resource page
• The Homeschool Mom's Virginia support page
• Home Education in Virginia by Ann Zeise
• Homeschool World Virginia support groups

Legal disclaimer: This section is one family's story and how they meet the mandatory school attendance laws in Virginia. It is not intended and should not be used as definitive legal advice. In most states, parents find a variety of legal methods to pursue the educational approach that they prefer for their child.

My Favorite Local Homeschooling Resources

I love our local homeschool store, Moore Expressions. I recommend that new homeschoolers check out the different groups on Yahoo. I've found a lot of great information by joining some of these groups. Home Educators Associates of Virginia (HEAV) is also a great starting place for new homeschoolers.

A Wonderful State to Homeschool In

I enjoy homeschooling in Virginia. Compared to other states where I have lived, the laws are pretty reasonable. Virginia is a wonderful state to homeschool in because there are so many great educational places to visit and see. Our favorite place to visit is Jamestown.

In Virginia, you need to provide proof that your children are making progress as evidenced by them scoring a certain percentage in standardized testing. These test scores are due by the first of August of each year. Since I have handicapped children, I get them evaluated by an evaluator, which is also an option, but not as widely used. By August 15 of each year, you must fill out paperwork with your local district declaring that you wish to homeschool.

I don't think that the requirements for our state are so rigorous. I file a letter of intent before the school year begins. I list the books we'll be using. I take the option of an evaluation since my children don't do well on standardized tests.

Time4Learning is an online software that works really well with all learners. Even auditory learners, like my older child, love this program.

Here at Frank's Fraction Pizzeria,
3rd graders learn about "parts of a whole"
from Frank and his employees.

Using an Eclectic Style of Homeschooling for Our Children with Special Needs

We have an eclectic style of homeschooling. I enjoy T4L because I can make sure that there are no gaps in skills learned. As all of my children have learning disabilities and two are multiply handicapped, we spend a lot of time working on the basics and reviewing concepts learned.

Choosing Homeschool Curriculum

Time4Learning's experience shows that there is no single, best homeschool material. Rather than feeling torn between homeschool resources, parents should select a diverse blend of materials and activities.

For families with more than one child, choosing a homeschool program can be more problematic. What works for one child may not work for another. What works for one subject may not work on the next. What works one year, may fall flat the very next year.

Some of the features that make Time4Learning so successful include:

• Time4Learning appeals to a wide range of learning styles. Our online learning materials are especially well-suited to children who are visual or kinesthetic learners. These children can take advantage of Time4Learning's interactive, multi-media materials.
• Children like using the computer to learn. It's a convenient, interactive homeschool resource that provides a welcome change each day to paper-and-pencil workbooks and textbook-based lessons.
• Parents like that it tracks progress and helps children advance by clearly presenting and reinforcing each lesson.
• Time4Learning's self-paced, modularized lesson plans allow you to move forward and back through the materials whenever you want. You can skip lessons that teach concepts your child has already mastered and repeat those he or she has not. The choice is yours. With Time4Learning, you are always in control.

Time4Learning is proven effective with homeschoolers, has a low monthly price, is easy-to-use, and provides a money-back guarantee so you can make sure that it works for your children!

Sign up for Time4Learning as part of your overall homeschool program.

If you have any more questions or comments about homeschooling in Virginia, head over to the Virginia Parents Forum.

Some Helpful Tools and Resources

Welcome to Homeschooling Guide - Are you new to homeschooling? This guide was written by seasoned homeschoolers to answer some of the difficult questions new families often struggle with.

Curriculum Lesson Plans - An overview of the number of lessons that are included for each grade and subject. All students have access to at least 2 (and in most cases 3) grade levels of curriculum for each subject, so they can move ahead or review at their own pace.

Homeschool Portfolio Information - Answers common questions about homeschool portfolios and evaluations. It includes tips on organization methods, what to include and how Time4Learning can be used as part of your homeschool portfolio.

The Lesson Activity Finder - One of the many helpful tools that Time4Learning offers its members. The activity finder is a shortcut that makes it easy for parents to preview lessons or find extra practice for their child. You can visit our hints and help section for more information about the activity finder.

Lesson Planning Worksheet - Wondering how many lessons to have your child do each day? Estimate the number of activities per day using this easy to use, printable worksheet.

Online Parent's Forum - Reach out to homeschoolers in your area, join discussions, ask questions and trade ideas on our online community of homeschooling parents. Having the support of seasoned homeschoolers can really help make your homeschooling journey a success.

Sign up for Time4Learning and gain access to a variety of educational materials, which will engage and challenge your child to succeed. Make Time4Learning a part of your children's homeschool resources.

I want to Learn More about Time4Learning's homeschool curriculum or how to use the program for afterschool enrichment.