Everything you need to know about homeschooling in Virginia - from filing your annual Notice of Intent to submitting evidence of progress. Updated for the 2025-2026 school year.
Virginia is a strong homeschool state with clear legal protections, multiple compliance paths, and no required subjects. The legal framework gives parents significant control over curriculum and teaching methods while requiring annual notification and evidence of educational progress.
Virginia homeschool law is primarily governed by Va. Code § 22.1-254.1 (Home Instruction), with additional paths available through § 22.1-254 (Certified Tutor) and § 22.1-254(B)(1) (Religious Exemption). Most families use the Home Instruction path, which requires an annual Notice of Intent, 180 days or 990 hours of instruction, and annual evidence of progress.
Virginia is also the only state in the country with a specific religious exemption from compulsory school attendance - a unique option for families with bona fide religious convictions against school attendance.
Virginia does not mandate any specific subjects under the Home Instruction statute. You have complete curriculum freedom - teach what you want, how you want, using whatever materials you choose.
Virginia offers three legal ways to homeschool your children. The Home Instruction path is used by the vast majority of families, but the Certified Tutor and Religious Exemption paths offer alternatives for qualifying families.
| Requirement | Home Instruction | Certified Tutor | Religious Exemption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Basis | Va. Code § 22.1-254.1 | Va. Code § 22.1-254 | Va. Code § 22.1-254(B)(1) |
| Notification | Annual NOI by August 15 | Superintendent approval | One-time school board approval |
| Attendance | 180 days or 990 hours | Per superintendent approval | No requirements |
| Teacher Qualification | 4 options (see below) | VA-certified teacher required | None |
| Required Subjects | None mandated | Per approval | None |
| Annual Assessment | Required by August 1 | Not required | Not required |
| Best For | Most families | Parents with teaching licenses | Families with religious convictions |
The Home Instruction path under Va. Code § 22.1-254.1 is used by the vast majority of Virginia homeschool families. You file an annual Notice of Intent with your division superintendent, provide 180 days or 990 hours of instruction, and submit evidence of progress by August 1 each year. There are no required subjects and no mandated curriculum.
You must meet one of four qualification options to teach under this path:
Under Va. Code § 22.1-254, a parent who holds a Virginia teaching certificate can teach their own children with superintendent approval. The key benefit of this path is that no annual assessments or evidence of progress are required. If you have certification from another state, you typically need to use the Home Instruction path instead.
Virginia is the only state with a specific religious exemption from compulsory school attendance under Va. Code § 22.1-254(B)(1). Both parent and child must have "bona fide religious training or belief" that makes them "conscientiously opposed to attendance at school." Once approved by the school board, there are no annual filings, no curriculum requirements, and no assessments.
If you are new to homeschooling and want a straightforward process, the Home Instruction path with Option I (high school diploma) is the right choice for most families. It has clear requirements and gives you complete curriculum freedom.
To begin homeschooling under the Home Instruction path, you must file a Notice of Intent (NOI) with your division superintendent. Unlike some states, Virginia requires this filing every year.
District forms may ask for additional information like your child's Social Security number or date of birth. You are not required to provide information beyond what the statute requires. Stick to the items listed in Va. Code § 22.1-254.1 and politely decline extra requests.
The Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV) provides free NOI templates in English and Spanish. Keep a copy of every NOI you submit and any acknowledgment from the superintendent. Blue Folder can generate your NOI letter automatically, pre-filled with your information. Try it free →
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Under the Home Instruction path, Virginia requires the same amount of schooling as public schools: 180 days or 990 hours of instruction per year. You can meet this requirement using either measure - whichever works best for your family's schedule.
There is no requirement to follow the public school calendar. You can school year-round, take breaks when you want, and adjust your schedule as needed - as long as you reach the total by the end of the year.
Keep a detailed attendance log throughout the year. Virginia law requires attendance records, and they may be requested by the superintendent. Logging daily helps you avoid having to reconstruct your records from memory later. Blue Folder makes attendance tracking simple with calendar-based logging and CSV import. Try it free →
The Certified Tutor path follows whatever arrangement is approved by the superintendent. The Religious Exemption path has no attendance requirements at all.
Virginia law requires Home Instruction families to maintain attendance records and submit them as part of the annual compliance process. While the statute does not mandate a full portfolio, keeping thorough records is strongly recommended.
Keep your records organized by school year. Use Blue Folder to track attendance, store evaluation results, and generate your compliance binder in one click - so you are always ready if the superintendent has questions. Try it free →
All Virginia students - including homeschoolers - must comply with immunization requirements under Va. Code § 32.1-46 and § 22.1-271.4. Medical and religious exemptions are available. Keep your immunization records current and accessible.
Virginia requires Home Instruction families to submit evidence of progress to the division superintendent by August 1 each year. This demonstrates that your child is making adequate educational growth.
If you use an accredited online school or correspondence program, their report card or transcript can serve as evidence of progress.
Submit your test scores or evaluation letter to the division superintendent by August 1. Keep a copy for your records.
If evidence is not submitted or the child does not meet standards, the program goes on one-year probation. You must submit a remediation plan. If the child still does not meet requirements after the probationary year, home instruction must cease. You can appeal the superintendent's decision within 30 days to an independent hearing officer.
Schedule testing for March through May so you have results well before the August 1 deadline. Remember: August 1 (assessment) comes before August 15 (NOI). Plan ahead so you are not rushing. Blue Folder tracks both deadlines for you automatically. Try it free →
Under the Home Instruction statute (Va. Code § 22.1-254.1), Virginia does not mandate any specific subjects. You have complete curriculum freedom - choose your own materials, design your own program, and teach whatever you believe is important for your child's education.
Your NOI includes a "description of curriculum," but this is simply a list of subjects you plan to cover. The state does not approve or deny your curriculum choices.
While not required, many Virginia homeschool families choose to cover these common subject areas:
Even though subjects are not mandated, covering a well-rounded set of academic areas strengthens your annual evaluation and makes it easier if your child ever transitions to public school or applies to college. Keep records of what you teach - it helps build a strong transcript.
Virginia has two critical annual deadlines that every Home Instruction family must know. Note that the assessment deadline comes before the NOI deadline.
| When | What | Details |
|---|---|---|
| August 1 | Evidence of progress due | Submit standardized test scores (4th stanine composite) or evaluation letter to division superintendent. |
| August 15 | Notice of Intent due | File annual NOI with division superintendent. Include child's name, parent info, qualification option, and curriculum description. |
| Immediately (mid-year start) | File NOI for new homeschoolers | If starting mid-year, file NOI immediately and comply within 30 days. |
| March - May | Schedule testing (recommended) | Schedule standardized testing in spring to have results ready before August 1. |
If you fail to submit evidence of progress by August 1, you may be placed on one-year probation. Continued non-compliance can result in home instruction being revoked. Set calendar reminders and schedule testing early in the spring.
Virginia currently has no ESA program or state vouchers for homeschoolers. Financial assistance options are limited compared to some other states, but there are a few resources worth knowing about.
Virginia has no state-funded scholarship or voucher program that applies to homeschoolers as of 2026. The state's existing tax-credit scholarship program is for private school tuition only and does not extend to homeschool families.
Federal law allows 529 plan funds to be used for K-12 expenses, including homeschool curriculum materials, up to $10,000 per year. This can help offset the cost of textbooks, online courses, and other educational materials.
The Education Excellence For All Act has been proposed in Virginia, which would create an ESA program worth approximately $5,000-$6,300 per year. As of 2026, this legislation has not been enacted. Current homeschoolers would not be immediately eligible even if it passes - the proposed program would require enrollment in public school first.
Take advantage of free resources: your local library system, free online curricula (Khan Academy, CK-12), dual enrollment at state colleges (tuition covered for eligible students), and used curriculum exchanges through local homeschool groups and HEAV events.
Virginia provides some public school access for homeschoolers, though options vary by district and are more limited than some neighboring states.
School boards are required by law to make the following tests available to home instruction students:
Contact your district for registration deadlines and testing locations.
Public school sports access is limited in Virginia. The Virginia High School League (VHSL) typically requires enrollment in at least five courses at the school, which effectively bars most homeschoolers from VHSL-governed sports. Non-VHSL activities may be available at individual district discretion. Religious Exemption and Certified Tutor students are not eligible for public school activities.
Part-time enrollment in individual courses is available at district discretion. Not all districts offer this option. Religious Exemption and Certified Tutor students are not eligible for part-time enrollment.
High school-age homeschoolers can take college courses at Virginia community colleges through dual enrollment programs. This is an excellent way to earn college credit, build a strong transcript, and reduce the total cost of a college degree.
Contact your local community college early to learn about dual enrollment options and registration deadlines. Many Virginia homeschool students graduate with significant college credit already earned.
Virginia's homeschool laws are manageable, but new families often run into avoidable problems. Here are the most common ones.
Children under age 6 who are homeschooled do not need to provide evidence of progress. But if your child turns 5 by September 30, Virginia's compulsory attendance law applies (kindergarten is mandatory). You can file a kindergarten waiver with the school board if you want to delay formal instruction for 5-year-olds.
Don't miss Virginia's dual August deadlines
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Track Virginia ComplianceDisclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Homeschool laws can change. Always verify current requirements with your division superintendent's office or consult a qualified attorney. For the full text of the law, see Va. Code § 22.1-254.1. Last updated February 2026.