Homeschoolers must abide by the compulsory attendance ages in Virginia. If a child has reached age five by September 30th or is younger than 18, he is required to be actively educated for a minimum of 180 days a year. However, with notification of the school board, attendance may be postponed until the age of six.
Parents qualifying under the home instruction option must send an annual notification that they intend to homeschool by August 15 of each year. Submit a description of your curriculum, a list of the planned subjects for the year and how you are qualified to teach. Test or evaluate your student at the end of each school year by choosing any standardized test or administrator that you want to use. The child must score in the twenty-third percentile or higher on the exam. Submit an evaluation letter, education records from a community college or another form of assessment approved by the superintendent in lieu of the standardized testing. If the home option is not approved, the family has 30 days to appeal the decision.
Families using the religious exemption to homeschool must notify the school by sending a letter explaining why their beliefs prevent them from sending their children to school. The letter should include scriptures to support the statements and letters from others that demonstrate a sincere belief that the children should not be sent to school. If possible, a letter or affidavit from a spiritual leader or religious scholar should be included. The family is allowed to home educate without oversight once the school board approves the exemption. If you are denied, request a judicial review or comply with one of the other legal options for homeschooling.
A parent who is certified to teach in the state of Virginia, or who has hired a certified tutor, must send the initial notification of intent to homeschool and proof of certification to the superintendent. Do not use the word "homeschool" in the letter, as the certified tutor option is not considered homeschooling in Virginia. No other notifications, testing or documents are required.
Homeschoolers may join an existing private or denominational homeschooling program or join with a group of other families to form one. Such a program may be a virtual school or umbrella program allowing the child to be taught at home with the oversight of the school. Private schools are not regulated and, therefore, not required to conform to homeschool or other education laws, such as teacher qualifications or testing.
Contact your local public school in September to arrange PSAT or AP testing for homeschoolers who want to take these exams.