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Virginia Homeschool Requirements Moderate regulation
What Virginia requires from homeschool families — notification, subjects, hours, testing, and portfolio rules — with links to the current law. This is the same state data FolioKid uses to build your portfolio template.
- Governing law: Va. Code § 22.1-254.1
- Annual assessment: evidence of progress submitted to the division superintendent by August 1 — standardized test at or above the 4th stanine (ACT/SAT/PSAT accepted), a qualified evaluator letter, or an approved program transcript
File notice with the local superintendent annually by August 15, including a curriculum description. Annual evaluation: standardized test at or above the 4th stanine (ACT/SAT/PSAT accepted), an evaluation letter from a licensed teacher or person with a master's degree, or an approved program report card. Evidence must be submitted to the division superintendent by August 1 following each school year (Va. Code § 22.1-254.1(C)).
Records you must keep in Virginia
Virginia asks for evidence of academic progress each year — an evaluator's letter based on a portfolio review is one of the accepted options. Keep all of the following:
- Your notice of intent and the curriculum description you file alongside it (due to the division superintendent by August 15)
- Evidence of your parent qualification (a high school diploma, teaching credentials, a program of study, or evidence of ability to provide an adequate education)
- A portfolio of work samples across the subjects you teach (the material an evaluator reviews to write the letter)
- Your chosen proof of progress — a standardized test at or above the 4th stanine (or ACT/SAT/PSAT), a qualified evaluator's letter, or a college or correspondence-school transcript
- The dated submission you send the division superintendent by August 1 following the school year
Your Virginia filing timeline
- By August 15 (each year)File your notice of intent and curriculum description with the division superintendent.
- All year longKeep work samples and records current as you teach — this is the material an evaluator reviews.
- Spring, before year-endChoose your assessment method — schedule a standardized test or line up a qualified evaluator to review the portfolio.
- By August 1 (following the school year)Submit your evidence of progress to the division superintendent.
How FolioKid builds a Virginia-compliant portfolio
You do the teaching; FolioKid assembles the evidence of progress Virginia asks for:
- Snap photos of work as it happens — FolioKid tags each entry by subject so your portfolio is organized for an evaluator's review.
- Track attendance and instruction as you go — Virginia sets no hours or day-count minimum, so this is simply your own running record of progress.
- Record your annual assessment — a standardized test score or stanine, an ACT/SAT/PSAT result, or notes to hand your evaluator for the letter.
- Export a Virginia-formatted portfolio PDF — or send your evaluator a read-only share link (no account needed, expires in 30 days).
Free: the Virginia Homeschool Records Checklist
A one-page printable PDF — exactly what to keep, your filing deadlines, and a blank records log. We'll email it to you.
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Official Virginia sources
- 📜 Va. Code § 22.1-254.1 — the statute itself
- 🏛️ VDOE — Home Instruction
- 🔎 HSLDA — Virginia homeschool law summary
Virginia homeschool FAQ
What law governs homeschooling in Virginia?
Homeschooling in Virginia is governed by Va. Code § 22.1-254.1. File notice with the local superintendent annually by August 15, including a curriculum description. Annual evaluation: standardized test at or above the 4th stanine (ACT/SAT/PSAT accepted), an evaluation letter from a licensed teacher or person with a master's degree, or an approved program report card. Evidence must be submitted to the division superintendent by August 1 following each school year (Va. Code § 22.1-254.1(C)). Always verify current requirements with your state department of education.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Virginia?
Virginia does not specify required subjects in its homeschool law, though parents are responsible for providing instruction as defined by Va. Code § 22.1-254.1.
Does Virginia require testing or a portfolio evaluation?
No — Virginia does not require standardized testing or a portfolio evaluation, but keeping a portfolio of your child's work is still the simplest way to document progress.
Keeping records for Virginia? Snap photos of your kids' work and FolioKid organizes them into a year-end portfolio PDF — formatted around Virginia's requirements.
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