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Virginia

Moderate

Homeschool legal: ✅ Yes ·Last verified: 2026-03 ·State code: VA

Overview

Instruction days
No minimum requirement
Legal status
Homeschooling is legal in this state
Regulatory body
Virginia Department of Education / Local School Division Superintendent
Official website
https://www.doe.virginia.gov/parents-students/for-parents/home-instruction

Notice Requirements

Notice required
Yes — notice must be filed
Deadline
August 15 annually (mid-year beginners may start immediately and file within 30 days)
Frequency
Annual — must re-file each school year
Reporting
Required (annually)

Assessment Requirements

Assessment required
Yes
Accepted methods
  • Composite score at or above 4th stanine on a nationally normed standardized achievement test
  • Equivalent score on ACT, SAT, or PSAT
  • Evaluation letter from a person licensed to teach in any state, attesting to adequate educational growth
  • Evaluation letter from a person with a master's degree or higher in an academic discipline with knowledge of the child's progress
  • Report card or transcript from a community college, distance-learning program, or home-education correspondence school
  • Other assessment the division superintendent determines indicates adequate educational growth

Curriculum & Qualifications

Required subjects
No specific subjects mandated
Teacher qualifications
Parent must satisfy ONE of four options: (I) hold a high school diploma or higher; (II) hold teacher qualifications prescribed by the Board of Education; (III) provide a program of study or curriculum via correspondence, distance learning, or similar means; or (IV) provide evidence of ability to provide an adequate education. No teaching license required for options I, III, or IV.
Portfolio
No portfolio requirement

Additional Notes

Virginia is considered moderate-regulation. The four-pathway system gives flexibility, but annual NOI (Aug 15) and annual evidence-of-progress (Aug 1) are firm deadlines. Most families use Option I or III. The standardized test composite score at/above 4th stanine is the most common evidence method. The Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV) at heav.org is the primary state advocacy group.

Tips for Homeschooling in Virginia

  1. 1

    File your notice on time: "August 15 annually (mid-year beginners may start immediately and file within 30 days)". Set a calendar reminder 2 weeks before to prepare documents.

  2. 2

    Choose your assessment method early. Options include: Composite score at or above 4th stanine on a nationally normed standardized achievement test, Equivalent score on ACT, SAT, or PSAT. Many families find portfolio reviews the least stressful.

  3. 3

    Teacher qualification note: Parent must satisfy ONE of four options: (I) hold a high school diploma or higher; (II) hold teacher qualifications prescribed by the Board of Education; (III) provide a program of study or curriculum via correspondence, distance learning, or similar means; or (IV) provide evidence of ability to provide an adequate education. No teaching license required for options I, III, or IV.. Keep a copy of your credentials with your homeschool records.

Open Virginia Checklist →

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and may not reflect the most current regulations. Always verify requirements directly with Virginia Department of Education / Local School Division Superintendent or a qualified education attorney.