How to start homeschooling in Virginia

Everything you need to legally begin homeschooling in Virginia, broken into clear steps. Plan to spend about an hour completing the paperwork before your first day.

The short version

Virginia requires annual notification and a year-end evaluation. Two main legal paths: home instruction statute or religious exemption.

The full process, step by step

Step 1

Submit a Notice of Intent to your superintendent by August 15.

Step 2

Include parent qualifications (high school diploma or alternative).

Step 3

Submit a withdrawal letter to your child's public school if applicable.

Step 4

Plan curriculum based on family goals.

Step 5

Submit year-end evaluation by August 1 of the following year.

Things that help on day one

A binder, folder, or app to keep paperwork in one place.
Your child's most recent report card or academic records.
A simple weekly rhythm sketched out — even one bullet list of subjects per day.
A camera or phone for documenting the first weeks of moments.
A list of any homeschool co-ops, libraries, or community groups in your area.

Disclaimer: This guide summarises commonly known Virginia homeschool requirements. Laws change. For official, up-to-date legal guidance, consult the HSLDA state guide or your state Department of Education before submitting paperwork.

Read the full Virginia homeschool law summary →

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