Virginia gives homeschool families significant flexibility — no required subjects are specified in state law, and families can choose from several options to demonstrate educational progress each year. Here is what Virginia families need to know in 2026.
Virginia Homeschool Requirements (2026)
Virginia is a moderately regulated homeschool state with notable flexibility. Virginia law does not specify required subjects — you have broad freedom to design your curriculum. The requirements that do exist are clear: file an annual notice, meet the parent qualification standard, and demonstrate evidence of adequate educational progress annually.
📋 Step 1 — File Annual Notice of Intent
File a notice of intent to homeschool with your local school division superintendent by August 15 each year
If beginning mid-year, notify the superintendent as soon as practicable, then complete the notice requirements within 30 days
The notice must include a description of your curriculum limited to a list of the subjects to be studied in the coming year, and evidence that you meet one of the parent-qualification options below
Re-file the notice every year to maintain your homeschool authorization
👤 Parent Qualification Requirement
Virginia requires the teaching parent to meet at least one of the following qualifications:
Hold a high school diploma or its equivalent
Be a teacher with qualifications prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education
Provide a program of study or curriculum
Your program of study or curriculum may be a correspondence or distance learning course
Provide evidence of your ability to provide an adequate education
📚 Required Subjects — None Specified
Virginia law does not specify required academic subjects for homeschool families
You have full freedom to design your curriculum based on your child's needs and interests
Most Virginia homeschool families cover core academics: Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and History
The key requirement is demonstrating "evidence of adequate educational progress" annually
📅 School Days and Hours
Virginia does not specify a minimum number of school days or instructional hours
You set your own schedule and calendar
Maintaining attendance records is strongly recommended to document your school year
📊 Annual Evidence of Progress (Required)
Virginia requires annual evidence of adequate educational progress submitted to the local superintendent by August 1
You choose from the approved evidence options listed below
If adequate progress is not demonstrated, the division can place the child on a one-year probation with a remediation plan
Virginia Annual Progress Evidence Options
📃 Standardized Test
Results of a nationally normed standardized achievement test with a composite score in or above the fourth stanine (or an equivalent ACT, SAT or PSAT score).
👨🏫 Licensed Teacher Evaluation
An evaluation letter from a person licensed to teach or who holds a master's degree in an academic discipline, who knows the child's progress and states that the child is making adequate educational progress.
📋 College or Correspondence Report
A report card or transcript from a college, a distance learning program, or a home-education correspondence school.
📄 Other Evidence
Another evaluation or assessment that you and the division superintendent agree on.
⚠️ Always verify current requirements with your local Virginia school division and the Virginia Department of Education (doe.virginia.gov) or HSLDA (hslda.org). Laws can change and this page is for general reference only. The Home Educators Association of Virginia (heav.org) is an excellent state-specific resource.
Withdrawing from Public School in Virginia
If your child is currently enrolled in a Virginia public school, notify the school in writing that you are withdrawing your child to homeschool. Then notify the superintendent as soon as practicable and complete your notice of intent within 30 days. Virginia school divisions are well-acquainted with homeschool families — the process is typically smooth when you communicate in writing and keep copies.
How Lumi Helps Virginia Homeschool Families
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Comprehensive Core Curriculum
Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, US History, Coding, Art, Music, and more — Virginia gives you subject freedom, and Lumi covers everything a rigorous K–8 program needs.
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Standardized Test Prep
Lumi's full curriculum prepares students for Virginia's nationally normed testing option, covering all major subject areas tested on standardized achievement assessments.
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Printable Report Cards
Auto-generated report cards by subject and grading period — can help document your child's progress for the evidence option you choose each year.
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Lesson Activity Logs
Timestamped records of every lesson, subject, and score — excellent documentation of your child's progress.
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Printable Workbooks
Six grade-level workbooks. Print pages as portfolio work samples demonstrating educational progress across core subjects for your annual evidence of progress.
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Flat Family Price
$9.99/month covers all your kids — up to 8 learner profiles. Virginia families never pay per child.
Frequently Asked Questions — Homeschooling in Virginia
Does Virginia require me to notify my school district before homeschooling?
Yes. Virginia requires you to file a notice of intent to homeschool with your local school division superintendent by August 15 each year. If you start mid-year, notify the superintendent as soon as practicable and then complete the notice requirements within 30 days. The notice includes a list of the subjects you plan to study in the coming year and evidence that you meet one of the parent-qualification options.
Does Virginia specify which subjects must be taught at home?
No — Virginia is unusual in that state law does not specify required academic subjects for homeschool families. You have broad freedom to design your curriculum. The requirement is demonstrating adequate educational progress annually, not teaching specific state-mandated subjects. Most families still cover Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and History as the academic core.
What are Virginia's options for demonstrating annual educational progress?
Virginia allows: (1) a nationally normed standardized test with a composite score in or above the fourth stanine, (2) an evaluation letter from a person licensed to teach or holding a master's degree in an academic discipline, (3) a report card or transcript from a college, distance learning program or home-education correspondence school, or (4) another evaluation or assessment you and the superintendent agree on. You can choose a different option each year.
Does the teaching parent in Virginia need a college degree?
Virginia has a parent qualification requirement. The teaching parent must meet at least one of several options: a high school diploma, being a teacher with qualifications prescribed by the Board of Education, providing a program of study or curriculum (which may be a correspondence or distance learning course), or providing evidence of the ability to provide an adequate education. A high school diploma is the most common qualifying credential.
Can my Virginia homeschooled child participate in public school sports?
Virginia does not have a statewide law guaranteeing homeschool students access to public school extracurriculars. Access varies by school division and sport. Contact your local school division and the Virginia High School League (vhsl.org) for current eligibility policies in your area.
What is the best homeschool curriculum app for Virginia families?
Lumi Academy gives Virginia families a comprehensive K–8 curriculum with printable report cards and lesson activity logs that help document progress, and thorough subject coverage to prepare for Virginia's standardized test option. All on any device for up to 8 kids at a flat family price.
Start Homeschooling in Virginia with Lumi
free 48-hour trial. Full K–8 curriculum with built-in progress documentation for Virginia's annual requirement.