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West Virginia Homeschool Requirements Moderate regulation
What West 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: W. Va. Code § 18-8-1(c)
- Required subjects: Reading, Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies (W. Va. Code § 18-8-1(c)(2)(A))
- Instructional days: 180 days per year
- Annual assessment: standardized test — minimum 4th stanine (23rd percentile) — or an approved alternative such as a certified-teacher portfolio review
Option 2: annual academic assessment every grade — standardized test with a minimum 4th stanine (23rd percentile) composite or improvement over the prior year; the statute also allows the public-school test or a certified-teacher portfolio review. Results for grades 3, 5, 8, and 11 are submitted to the county superintendent by June 30. Parent must hold a HS diploma or equivalent. 180 days minimum.
Records you must keep in West Virginia
Under Option 2, West Virginia lets you satisfy the annual assessment with either a standardized test or a certified-teacher portfolio review — so a well-kept portfolio does double duty. Keep all of the following:
- Samples of your child's work across the 5 required subjects (reading, language, mathematics, science, social studies)
- A record of instructional days (180 days minimum)
- Your annual assessment — either standardized test scores (minimum 4th stanine / 23rd percentile composite) or a certified-teacher portfolio review
- Test results for grades 3, 5, 8, and 11 (submitted to the county superintendent)
- Proof of the parent's high-school diploma or equivalent
- Keep prior-year results (needed to show improvement if a score falls below the 4th stanine)
Your West Virginia filing timeline
- Before you startSend a notice of intent to the county superintendent (Option 2).
- All year longKeep work samples across the 5 subjects and track your 180 days of instruction.
- Once a year (every grade)Complete the assessment — a standardized test or a certified-teacher portfolio review.
- By June 30 (grades 3, 5, 8 & 11)Submit the test results to the county superintendent.
How FolioKid helps with West Virginia's requirements
You do the teaching; FolioKid keeps the records West Virginia asks for:
- Snap photos of work as it happens — FolioKid tags each entry by subject against West Virginia's five required subjects.
- Log instructional time toward West Virginia's 180-day minimum with a running total.
- Record your annual assessment — enter standardized test scores (FolioKid flags the 4th-stanine / 23rd-percentile mark and prior-year improvement) or keep the certified teacher's portfolio review.
- Export a West Virginia-formatted portfolio PDF — or send your certified-teacher reviewer a read-only share link (no account needed, expires in 30 days).
Free: the West Virginia Homeschool Records Checklist
A one-page printable PDF — exactly what to keep, your filing deadlines, and a blank days & subjects log. We'll email it to you.
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Official West Virginia sources
- 📜 W. Va. Code § 18-8-1(c) — the statute itself
- 🏛️ WV Dept. of Education — Homeschool
- 🔎 HSLDA — West Virginia homeschool law summary
West Virginia homeschool FAQ
What law governs homeschooling in West Virginia?
Homeschooling in West Virginia is governed by W. Va. Code § 18-8-1(c). Option 2: annual academic assessment every grade — standardized test with a minimum 4th stanine (23rd percentile) composite or improvement over the prior year; the statute also allows the public-school test or a certified-teacher portfolio review. Results for grades 3, 5, 8, and 11 are submitted to the county superintendent by June 30. Parent must hold a HS diploma or equivalent. 180 days minimum. Always verify current requirements with your state department of education.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in West Virginia?
West Virginia requires: Reading, Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies (W. Va. Code § 18-8-1(c)(2)(A)).
How many hours or days of instruction does West Virginia require?
West Virginia requires 180 days per year.
Does West Virginia require testing or a portfolio evaluation?
No — West 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 West Virginia? Snap photos of your kids' work and FolioKid organizes them into a year-end portfolio PDF — formatted around West Virginia's requirements.
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