How to Home School in Virginia
Before you begin to home school your child in Virginia, it is important to understand the legal requirements about homeschooling and how to find the best curriculum for your child. This article will provide you with some guidance on how to do just that.
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Things You'll Need
- student
- homeschooling materials
- homeschooling curriculum or plan of study
- knowledge of applicable laws
Instructions
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Review applicable laws regarding homeschooling. In Virginia, home schooled students must abide by the same compulsory attendance laws and be in school from ages 6-18 for 180 days each year. The laws can be found on the Virginia Department of Education's website listed in the Resources section below.
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Notify the local superintendent of your decision to home school by August 15. If the parent, or instructor, is a certified tutor then the parent need only provide a one-time notification to the superintendent. Otherwise, the superintendent must be notified annually. The notification must include a list of subjects that your child will be studying as well as the parent's qualifications
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Explain how you are qualified to teach your child in your notification to the school district. Parents must satisfy one of five options to show that they are able to adequately teach their child at home. Those five options include: (1) having a high school diploma; (2) being a certified teacher in Virginia; (3) enrolling your child in a correspondence school that is approved by the Board of Education; (4) providing a curriculum that includes the state standards for learning objectives in language arts and math; or (5) providing evidence that the parent is able to provide an adequate education.
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Inform the school district if you are homeschooling because your religious beliefs prevent your child from attending public school. If this applies to you then you are exempt from all of Virginia's homeschooling requirements.
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Plan for the expenses of homeschooling. Depending on how you decide to teach your child, you might need textbooks, workbooks, on line courses, standardized tests, museum passes or tickets to cultural events. You might also chose to join a homeschooling group that charges a membership fee.
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Prepare your curriculum. This should be geared toward you child's age, interests and future goals.
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Teach your child according to the curriculum or plan that you choose. Keep records so that you know what topics you've already covered and how your child has progressed with those topics.
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Test your child according to the requirements of the homeschooling statute. If your child is age 6 or older you must submit the results of a nationally recognized standardized test showing that the child got a score at or above the 23rd percentile. Alternatively, you can submit an evaluation or assessment that the superintendent determines to be proof that the child is achieving an adequate level of educational growth and progress. It is important to note that this does not apply if you are a certified tutor, if you are homeschooling pursuant to the religious exemption or if your child is part of a homeschooling private school.
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Tips & Warnings
Get support. Seek out either a formal organization or other homeschooling parents with whom you can share ideas, triumphs and set backs.
Spend some time reviewing the Virginia laws regarding homeschooling so that you know that you are doing everything legally.
If the Superintendent denies your homeschooling request then you can appeal to an independent hearing officer within 30 days.
Consider your own stamina and enthusiasm for homeschooling. Homeschooling can be a very rewarding experience for both parent and child but it takes a lot of hard work. Do not decide to home school just because you are unhappy with the public schools that your child attends. You must be willing to do the work involved in providing your child with a quality education at home.
