Homeschooling in Vermont? Here’s your plan.

Vermont is a moderately regulated state, but the requirements are straightforward and family-friendly. You file a detailed enrollment notice with the Vermont Agency of Education at least 10 business days before you begin instruction. The notice includes your attestation that you will cover six subject areas from 16 V.S.A. Section 906: basic communication skills (reading, writing, numeracy), citizenship and government (Vermont and U.S. history and civics), physical and health education, literature, natural sciences, and fine arts. The Agency does not approve or deny your filing — it simply receives it.

Annual assessment is required, and Vermont gives you real flexibility in how you do it. You can choose a nationally recognized standardized test, an evaluation by a Vermont-certified teacher, or a portfolio of your child's work. Assessment results are retained by the family — you no longer submit them to the Agency of Education. Each year you file a renewal notice attesting to completion of the prior year and maintenance of evaluation records.

One notable feature: Vermont's compulsory education ends at age 16, which is lower than most neighboring states. There are no minimum instructional hours or days specified in the statute, giving families significant scheduling freedom. Vermont also allows home study students to participate in public school courses and extracurricular activities, with interscholastic athletics governed by the Vermont Principals' Association.

Most Vermont families use the Home Study Program under 16 V.S.A. Section 166b, which is the standard pathway for home-based instruction. An alternative is enrolling in an approved independent (private) school under 16 V.S.A. Section 166, which satisfies compulsory attendance without filing a home study enrollment notice or submitting annual assessments to the state. Some independent schools support home-based learning models. The Home Study Program is by far the more common choice for families teaching at home.

File your enrollment notice early. You must submit it at least 10 business days before starting home study. Use the Agency of Education's form — free-form notices are not accepted. The form is available on the Agency website.

Choose your assessment method wisely. You have three options each year: standardized test, certified teacher evaluation, or portfolio review. Many families find the portfolio approach most natural, but consider what will best document your child's progress over time.

Take advantage of public school access. Vermont allows home study students to take up to two courses at their local public school for free. This is a great option for subjects like lab science, foreign language, or advanced math.

Consider co-op structure carefully. Vermont distinguishes home study from recognized independent schools. A group instruction arrangement may need independent school status under 16 V.S.A. Chapter 21 to stay compliant.

Plan ahead for special needs. IEP services may end when you withdraw for home study. Your enrollment notice must describe any special services or adaptations for a child with a disability. Contact your district to discuss available services — some offer support on a case-by-case basis.

Keep records even though the law is light. Vermont does not mandate specific recordkeeping, but maintaining curriculum materials, work samples, and assessment results protects you and helps with college applications down the road.