Colorado vs Virginia: Homeschool Laws Compared
Side-by-side comparison of homeschool regulations. See what changes if you're moving between these states.
At a Glance
| Requirement | Colorado | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation level | Moderate regulation | Moderate regulation |
| Notification | Required — superintendent of the school district in which the child resides by 14 calendar days before beginning home-based education program | Required — superintendent of the local school division by August 15 annually; within 30 days if moving into a new school division mid-year |
| Testing | Required (13th percentile composite on a nationally standardized achievement test) | Required (composite score in or above the fourth stanine on any nationally normed standardized achievement test) |
| Required subjects | 9 subjects | None specified |
| Instructional time | 172 days/yr, 688 hrs/yr | No requirement |
| Instructor qualification | No requirement | a high school diploma or GED |
| Recordkeeping | attendance | None required |
| Annual renewal | Required by before the beginning of each school year (14 days advance notice) | Required by August 15 |
Moving Between These States
Moving from Colorado to Virginia
Grace period: As soon as practicable notice + 30 days to comply (Va. Code §22.1-254.1(C))
What changes:
- ~Notification: Colorado (Required — superintendent of the school district in which the child resides by 14 calendar days before beginning home-based education program) → Virginia (Required — superintendent of the local school division by August 15 annually; within 30 days if moving into a new school division mid-year)
- +Virginia requires instructor qualification (a high school diploma or GED). Colorado does not
- -Good news: Virginia has no required subjects requirement
- -Good news: Virginia has no instructional time requirement
- -Good news: Virginia has no recordkeeping requirement
Transition checklist
Before you leave Colorado:
- ▢No formal withdrawal required in Colorado
- ▢Gather records: curriculum materials, work samples, test scores
- ▢Complete any pending assessments before you leave
When you arrive in Virginia:
- ▢Notify superintendent 'as soon as practicable' after moving in. Comply fully within 30 days of notice. Include curriculum description and qualification evidence.
- ▢Prepare qualification evidence (a high school diploma or GED)
Within 30 days of starting:
- ▢File within 30 days of starting (Va. Code §22.1-254.1(C))
- ▢Children under age 6 as of September 30 are exempt from the annual assessment requirement. Standard (existing families) deadline is August 15.
Moving from Virginia to Colorado
Grace period: 14 days BEFORE beginning — must file notice in advance (CRS §22-33-104.5(3)(e))
What changes:
- ~Notification: Virginia (Required — superintendent of the local school division by August 15 annually; within 30 days if moving into a new school division mid-year) → Colorado (Required — superintendent of the school district in which the child resides by 14 calendar days before beginning home-based education program)
- -Good news: Colorado has no instructor qualification requirement
- +Colorado requires required subjects (9 subjects). Virginia does not
- +Colorado requires instructional time (172 days/yr, 688 hrs/yr). Virginia does not
- +Colorado requires recordkeeping (attendance). Virginia does not
Transition checklist
Before you leave Virginia:
- ▢No formal withdrawal required in Virginia
- ▢Gather records: curriculum materials, work samples, test scores
- ▢Colorado requires: immunization records (CRS §25-4-902)
- ▢Complete any pending assessments before you leave
When you arrive in Colorado:
- ▢File written notification with any CO school district 14 days BEFORE beginning instruction. Include child's name, age, residence, and attendance hours.
Before you start teaching:
- ▢File BEFORE you start teaching (CRS §22-33-104.5(3)(e))
- ▢File 14 days before instruction begins. Re-submit annually.
Military families
Neither Colorado nor Virginia has military-specific homeschool provisions. MIC3 (Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children) does not apply to homeschoolers — it covers public schools only. Your School Liaison Officer can help with the transition.
Planning a move?
Enter your move date to get a timeline with specific deadlines.
Common questions
What are the differences between homeschooling in Colorado and Virginia?
Colorado and Virginia have different homeschool regulations covering notification requirements, testing, required subjects, instructor qualifications, and recordkeeping. See the comparison table above for the exact differences.
What do I need to do to move my homeschool from Colorado to Virginia?
When moving from Colorado to Virginia, you must comply with Virginia's homeschool laws from scratch. See the transition checklist above for step-by-step guidance.
Data sourced from state statutes and administrative codes. Comparison based on default homeschool pathway for each state. This is compliance guidance, not legal advice. Terms · How we verify