Virginia Homeschool Requirements Checklist
Everything you need to do to homeschool legally in Virginia, based on Va. Code Section 22.1-254.1. Virginia is classified as Moderate regulation.
This is the general checklist for Option I -- Parent Holds High School Diploma, the most common of Virginia's 5 pathways. Our free wizard customizes this for your family, including grade, pathway, enrollment status, and IEP.
Your compliance checklist
Do first
File your Notice of Intent
Submit to superintendent of the local school division. Deadline: August 15 annually; within 30 days if moving into a new school division mid-year.
Deadline: August 15 annually; within 30 days if moving into a new school division mid-year
More details
Notice of Intent must include a description of the curriculum or program of study, limited to a list of subjects to be studied, and a copy of the parent's high school diploma or GED. VDOE provides a sample form but no specific form is mandated. Many school divisions have their own preferred forms.
Withdrawal letter recommended
A formal letter isn't required, but it is recommended if your child is enrolled in school. Send it to school principal.
Deadline: Before you start (if enrolled)
More details
File the Notice of Intent with the superintendent first or simultaneously, then notify the child's school of withdrawal. The NOI filing effectively establishes compliance with compulsory attendance. Some divisions may ask parents to complete a specific withdrawal form; cooperation is advisable but not legally required.
Confirm your qualification
This pathway requires a high school diploma or GED. Alternatives: GED or equivalent.
Deadline: Before you start
More details
Copy of high school diploma or GED must be included with the Notice of Intent. The instructor must be the parent.
Ongoing
Show your child's progress
Standardized test or Teacher evaluation or Other approved method — annually. Minimum: composite score in or above the fourth stanine on any nationally normed standardized achievement test.
More details
Evidence of educational progress due by August 1. Acceptable evidence: (1) standardized test with composite score in or above the fourth stanine (ITBS, SAT-10, CAT, PIAT, Woodcock-Johnson, or other nationally normed test); (2) evaluation letter from a person licensed to teach in any state, or a person with a master's degree or higher; (3) report card or transcript from an institution of higher education, college distance learning program, or home-education correspondence school. Children under age 6 as of September 30 are exempt from the annual assessment requirement. If the child does not meet the standard, the program may be placed on probation for one year; if the child still does not meet the standard after the probationary year, home instruction shall cease and the parent must make other arrangements per Section 22.1-254. If below threshold: Program may be placed on probation for one year. Must file remediation plan; child must achieve composite score in or above the fourth stanine after probation year. Home instruction shall cease and the parent must make other arrangements per Section 22.1-254
Renew each year
You must renew your homeschool notice each year by August 15.
More details
Annual cycle: file NOI by August 15, submit assessment evidence by August 1 of the following year. No quarterly reports or mid-year check-ins required.
Good news
No specific subjects required
The statute requires a 'program of study or curriculum' but does not enumerate specific required subjects. The NOI must include a curriculum description. VDOE guidance suggests instruction comparable to Virginia SOLs (English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, History/Social Science), but the statute gives parents broad discretion over content and approach.
No instructional time minimums
No minimum hours or days of instruction required.
Filing requirements
- What to file
- simple notice
- Send to
- superintendent of the local school division
- Deadline
- August 15 annually; within 30 days if moving into a new school division mid-year
- How often
- annual
Notice of Intent must include a description of the curriculum or program of study, limited to a list of subjects to be studied, and a copy of the parent's high school diploma or GED. VDOE provides a sample form but no specific form is mandated. Many school divisions have their own preferred forms.
Va. Code §22.1-254.1(A)
Ongoing requirements
Testing and assessment
- Accepted types
- Standardized test, Teacher evaluation, Other approved method
- Frequency
- annually
- Minimum score
- composite score in or above the fourth stanine on any nationally normed standardized achievement test
Evidence of educational progress due by August 1. Acceptable evidence: (1) standardized test with composite score in or above the fourth stanine (ITBS, SAT-10, CAT, PIAT, Woodcock-Johnson, or other nationally normed test); (2) evaluation letter from a person licensed to teach in any state, or a person with a master's degree or higher; (3) report card or transcript from an institution of higher education, college distance learning program, or home-education correspondence school. Children under age 6 as of September 30 are exempt from the annual assessment requirement. If the child does not meet the standard, the program may be placed on probation for one year; if the child still does not meet the standard after the probationary year, home instruction shall cease and the parent must make other arrangements per Section 22.1-254.
See our full assessment guide for Virginia for details.
Va. Code §22.1-254.1(C)
Reporting
- Annual renewal
- Required by August 15
Annual cycle: file NOI by August 15, submit assessment evidence by August 1 of the following year. No quarterly reports or mid-year check-ins required.
Va. Code §22.1-254.1(A), (C)
Instructor qualifications
The instructor must have a high school diploma or GED.
Alternatives: GED or equivalent
Copy of high school diploma or GED must be included with the Notice of Intent. The instructor must be the parent.
Va. Code §22.1-254.1(A)(i)
What you don't need to worry about
No specific subjects required
The statute requires a 'program of study or curriculum' but does not enumerate specific required subjects. The NOI must include a curriculum description. VDOE guidance suggests instruction comparable to Virginia SOLs (English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, History/Social Science), but the statute gives parents broad discretion over content and approach.
No instructional time minimums
No minimum hours or days of instruction required.
Other ways to homeschool in Virginia
This checklist covers Option I -- Parent Holds High School Diploma, the most common pathway. Virginia offers 5 different ways to homeschool, each with different requirements:
- •Option I -- Parent Holds High School Diploma(this checklist) : You file a Notice of Intent with your local superintendent by August 15 each year, including a curriculum description and a copy of your high school diploma or GED. Your child must demonstrate educational progress annually (standardized test with composite score in or above the fourth stanine, evaluation by a licensed teacher or master's-degree holder, or transcript from approved program). No required subjects, hours, or recordkeeping. The most commonly used Virginia pathway.
- •Option II -- Parent is a Qualified Teacher : You file a Notice of Intent with your local superintendent by August 15 each year, including a curriculum description and evidence that you hold a teaching certificate or license as prescribed by the Board of Education. Same annual assessment requirement as Option I. This option is specifically for parents who hold a teaching credential.
- •Option III -- Approved Program of Study or Curriculum : You provide your child with a program of study or curriculum that has been approved by the superintendent or the Virginia Board of Education, and file a Notice of Intent by August 15. This covers any program of study or curriculum -- not limited to correspondence or distance learning. No specific parent credential is required. Annual assessment is still required. Good for families who want to use a structured curriculum without needing a diploma or teaching credential.
- •Option IV -- Evidence of Ability to Provide Adequate Education : You file a Notice of Intent with your local superintendent by August 15, along with evidence that you are able to provide an adequate education for your child. This evidence is typically a written letter explaining your qualifications, experience, and educational plan. The superintendent reviews the submission and determines whether it demonstrates adequate ability. No specific credential is required, but approval is not automatic. Annual assessment is still required. This pathway is a catch-all for parents who do not hold a high school diploma, do not hold a teaching certificate, and are not using an approved program of study.
- •Religious Exemption : You petition your local school board for an exemption from compulsory attendance based on bona fide religious training or belief. Once granted, there are no curriculum requirements, no annual testing, no progress reports, and no instructor qualifications. You must renew the exemption annually. This is the only Virginia pathway with no assessment requirement, but it requires school board approval and a genuine religious basis.
Our wizard helps you choose the right one. Compare all pathways for Virginia
Related guides
Get your personalized checklist
This is the general checklist for the most common pathway. The wizard customizes it for your family's specific situation, including grade, pathway, and IEP status.
Get your Virginia checklistRequirements sourced from Va. Code Section 22.1-254.1. Verified against primary legal sources. Last verified: March 2026