Virginia Homeschool Documents & Templates

What to file

simple notice

Send to

superintendent of the local school division

Deadline

August 15 annually; within 30 days if moving into a new school division mid-year

How often

annual

Free-form letter accepted?

Yes. You can write your own letter instead of using an official form.

Notice of Intent must include a description of the curriculum or program of study, limited to a list of subjects to be studied, and a copy of the parent's high school diploma or GED. VDOE provides a sample form but no specific form is mandated. Many school divisions have their own preferred forms.

Va. Code §22.1-254.1(A)

First-time vs. renewal

Status

Not required, but recommended to prevent truancy concerns

Send to

school principal

File the Notice of Intent with the superintendent first or simultaneously, then notify the child's school of withdrawal. The NOI filing effectively establishes compliance with compulsory attendance. Some divisions may ask parents to complete a specific withdrawal form; cooperation is advisable but not legally required.

Submit to

superintendent of the local school division

Frequency

annual

Evidence of educational progress due by August 1. Acceptable evidence: (1) standardized test with composite score in or above the fourth stanine (ITBS, SAT-10, CAT, PIAT, Woodcock-Johnson, or other nationally normed test); (2) evaluation letter from a person licensed to teach in any state, or a person with a master's degree or higher; (3) report card or transcript from an institution of higher education, college distance learning program, or home-education correspondence school. Children under age 6 as of September 30 are exempt from the annual assessment requirement. If the child does not meet the standard, the program may be placed on probation for one year; if the child still does not meet the standard after the probationary year, home instruction shall cease and the parent must make other arrangements per Section 22.1-254.

See our full assessment guide for Virginia for accepted test types, minimum scores, and remediation details.

Va. Code §22.1-254.1(C)

Deadline

August 15

Annual cycle: file NOI by August 15, submit assessment evidence by August 1 of the following year. No quarterly reports or mid-year check-ins required.

Va. Code §22.1-254.1(A), (C)

This page covers Option I -- Parent Holds High School Diploma. Virginia offers 5 different ways to homeschool, and each may require different documents:

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  Option I -- Parent Holds High School Diploma(this page): You file a Notice of Intent with your local superintendent by August 15 each year, including a curriculum description and a copy of your high school diploma or GED. Your child must demonstrate educational progress annually (standardized test with composite score in or above the fourth stanine, evaluation by a licensed teacher or master's-degree holder, or transcript from approved program). No required subjects, hours, or recordkeeping. The most commonly used Virginia pathway.
• •
  Option II -- Parent is a Qualified Teacher: You file a Notice of Intent with your local superintendent by August 15 each year, including a curriculum description and evidence that you hold a teaching certificate or license as prescribed by the Board of Education. Same annual assessment requirement as Option I. This option is specifically for parents who hold a teaching credential.
• •
  Option III -- Approved Program of Study or Curriculum: You provide your child with a program of study or curriculum that has been approved by the superintendent or the Virginia Board of Education, and file a Notice of Intent by August 15. This covers any program of study or curriculum -- not limited to correspondence or distance learning. No specific parent credential is required. Annual assessment is still required. Good for families who want to use a structured curriculum without needing a diploma or teaching credential.
• •
  Option IV -- Evidence of Ability to Provide Adequate Education: You file a Notice of Intent with your local superintendent by August 15, along with evidence that you are able to provide an adequate education for your child. This evidence is typically a written letter explaining your qualifications, experience, and educational plan. The superintendent reviews the submission and determines whether it demonstrates adequate ability. No specific credential is required, but approval is not automatic. Annual assessment is still required. This pathway is a catch-all for parents who do not hold a high school diploma, do not hold a teaching certificate, and are not using an approved program of study.
• •
  Religious Exemption: You petition your local school board for an exemption from compulsory attendance based on bona fide religious training or belief. Once granted, there are no curriculum requirements, no annual testing, no progress reports, and no instructor qualifications. You must renew the exemption annually. This is the only Virginia pathway with no assessment requirement, but it requires school board approval and a genuine religious basis.

Our wizard helps you choose the right one and generates the correct documents. Compare all pathways for Virginia