Wondering how to start homeschooling in Virginia?
Follow these simple steps to comply with the homeschool statute.
Begin Homeschooling in Virginia with Confidence!
You’ve decided to embark on a new journey! Here are steps to getting started.
This is a critical step when starting to homeschool. If you know the law, you will have confidence and know your rights as a parent.
For complete information, visit the law section of the HEAV website. You’ll find links to the actual statute and tips on what you need to know. For a comprehensive overview of your choices, view the Virginia Homeschool Law Flowchart.
Show evidence that you are able to provide an adequate education for your child.
3. Include a description of your curriculum.
The law requires a limited description of curriculum—just a list of subjects you plan to study during the coming year, e.g., history, science, math, language arts, music, etc. Your curriculum is not evaluated or approved by the superintendent; your description merely shows that a curriculum is in place.
Perhaps your initial “Notice of Intent” does not include this description of curriculum because you are still making curriculum decisions. In that case, you have 30 days from the initial notice of starting to homeschool to complete the requirements and fully comply with the law. However, once notice has been given in compliance with the statute, your family should be considered legal homeschoolers.
You may mail the “Notice of Intent” and attachments to your division superintendent. If you mail it “certified, return-receipt,” you will have a record of the date the superintendent received your notice. After the date of receipt, you may withdraw your child from school without concern for truancy issues.
You may also hand-deliver the “Notice of Intent” to your superintendent’s office. In this case, ask for a hand-written receipt.
If you are withdrawing your child from a public school to start homeschooling in Virginia, it is important to file your “Notice of Intent” with your local superintendent before withdrawing your child from public school.
Once you have proof that the superintendent has received your notification, there should be no confusion about complying with school attendance laws. However, if you first take your child out of school, then notify the superintendent, it may raise truancy questions. That could possibly result in a truancy investigation with fines up to $100 per day.
As a homeschooling parent, you are not applying for permission or seeking the superintendent’s approval to homeschool. You are simply notifying the superintendent’s office of your intent to provide your child’s education in a manner already approved by the Virginia General Assembly.
The law requires a parent to notify the superintendent of his intent to homeschool, but you are not required to wait wait for “approval” from the division superintendent before withdrawing and beginning to homeschool.
Here is a list of superintendents throughout the state.
Once you’ve found your superintendent’s address for mailing or hand-delivering your Notice of Intent, be sure to mail the Notice of Intent “return-receipt” for verification the superintendent has received it. If you take it to the office, ask for a date-stamped receipt showing they have received the Notice of Intent from you.
What do I teach my child? As you prepare to start your homeschooling journey, few questions loom larger in your mind. Fortunately, there is much help available–online, in books and magazines, and through the HEAV office. Check out our curricula resources page to find some of the post popular homeschool curriculum providers, as well as information on finding used curricula.
HEAV has curriculum counselors who are happy to help as you narrow your choices.
6. Contact a local support group.
HEAV networks with more than 220 support groups throughout the state. Here is a list of groups and their contact information. Local support groups provide opportunities for student involvement in variety of activities, as well as encouragement for new homeschooling parents.
7. Assess your child’s progress.
or a report card or transcript from a community college or college, college distance-learning program, or home education correspondence school.
Don’t be intimidated by testing. Most homeschool students do very well, but more than that, testing is a measure of how effectively your teaching methods work with your child. You can use testing results to adjust your curriculum, teaching style, and teaching time to fit your child’s individual needs.
Please contact the HEAV office at 804-278-9200 if you have additional homeschool questions. Our staff and counselors will be glad to help you!
You’re also welcome to join us for one of our upcoming Homeschool Success Seminars. These are filled with practical information and have been attended by hundreds of new homeschooling parents. With this information, you’ll be sure to get off to a great start!
Decided to homeschool, but don’t know where to begin? Maximize your success with practical information from a veteran homeschool parent and teacher who has helped thousands of parents get off to the right start! Get the homeschool information you need right now with these recorded webinars. Watch from the convenience of your own home!
How to Begin: What You Really Need to Know!