How to homeschool in Virginia

Options for homeschooling

: 3

Notification required

: Yes

Standardized testing required

: No

ESA Option

: No

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Virginia homeschooling laws and options

Virginia provides families with three legal options for homeschooling, each with unique requirements and flexibility. It’s important to understand your responsibilities under the state’s compulsory education laws, which require children aged 5–18 to attend school or receive an appropriate home education.

Homeschooling options in Virginia:

Homeschooling under the home instruction statute.
Homeschooling with a religious exemption.
Homeschooling with a certified tutor.

Each option has specific requirements for parents. Below is a quick summary of what you’ll need to get started:

Submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to your local school division if homeschooling under the home instruction statute.
Parent qualifications under the home instruction statute include holding a high school diploma or equivalent, meeting certain approved criteria, or using an approved correspondence course.
Subjects required include language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.

For more detailed information, visit the Virginia Department of Education Homeschooling page.

We have done our best to ensure the accuracy of this information, however it should not be interpreted as legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under.

How to homeschool with Time4Learning in Virginia

Getting started with homeschooling in Virginia is simple, especially with Time4Learning’s support. Here are the steps to begin:

Choose your homeschooling option. Select the legal homeschooling route that best fits your family’s needs.
Submit the required notification. For example, file a Notice of Intent (NOI) with your local district if you are homeschooling under the home instruction statute.
Choose your curriculum. Time4Learning offers a comprehensive curriculum to cover core subjects like language arts, math, science, and social studies, meeting Virginia’s requirements.
Set a homeschooling schedule. Customize your schedule to fit your child’s learning style and personal goals. Time4Learning allows for flexible learning to accommodate your family’s pace and includes the required subjects.
Maintain records. Track progress, attendance, and any required assessments. With Time4Learning, you can easily access student reports to help you stay organized.

Time4Learning’s interactive platform ensures your child has engaging lessons, and parents have the tools to support their legal homeschooling requirements in Virginia.

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Virginia’s high school graduation and diploma requirements

When homeschooling in Virginia, parents are responsible for creating their student’s high school plan and issuing a diploma. Virginia homeschoolers are not required to meet the same public school graduation requirements. However, here are a few guidelines to keep in mind when planning your high school curriculum:

Include courses in core subjects like English, math, science, and history/social studies.
Add electives or advanced studies to align with your student’s career or higher education goals.
Create transcripts to showcase your child’s completed coursework.

Time4Learning’s high school curriculum offers core courses, electives, and advanced placement (AP)-style options to help Virginia homeschoolers prepare for graduation and beyond.

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Standardized test requirements for Virginia homeschoolers

Virginia does not mandate standardized testing for homeschoolers under all homeschooling options. However, if you are homeschooling under the home instruction statute, you are required to submit an annual progress report to your school division. This can be satisfied through one of the following:

Standardized achievement test results showing your child is at or above the 4th stanine (23rd percentile).
An independent evaluation or letter from a qualified tutor indicating adequate progress.
Results from an academic assessment approved by the school division.

For homeschoolers seeking optional standardized testing, Time4Learning provides resources and practice tools to help students prepare and succeed.

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Applying to college as a homeschooler in Virginia

Homeschoolers from Virginia have a unique advantage when applying to colleges. Their personalized education often stands out to admissions officers. Here are some tips for homeschoolers applying to college:

Create detailed transcripts. Include course descriptions, grades, and credits for every year of high school.
Take standardized tests like the SAT or ACT to strengthen your application.
Highlight extracurriculars. Include sports, volunteering, internships, or other activities that showcase your interests and commitment.
Write a stand-out essay. Use your homeschooling experience to convey creativity, independence, and initiative.

Time4Learning provides transcript templates, writing support, and resources to help your child shine during the college application process.

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Using an ESA for homeschool financial aid in Virginia

Currently, Virginia does not offer Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) for homeschooling families. ESAs in other states allow parents to use public funds for private education-related expenses, including curricula and learning resources.

While ESAs are not available in Virginia, homeschooling families can seek other cost-saving opportunities, such as discounts through educators' programs or using affordable, all-in-one solutions like Time4Learning.

With Time4Learning, you can access high-quality education at a fraction of the cost, making homeschooling accessible and manageable for families across Virginia.