West Virginia Homeschooling Laws and Resources

Homeschooling in West Virginia Overview 

Notice of Intent Required: Yes

3 Options for Homeschooling: Home Instruction with Board Approval; Home Instruction with an NOI; Home Instruction with a Learning Pod

Subject or Curriculum Requirements: Yes

Attendance Age Requirements: 6-17

Record-Keeping Requirements: Yes

Assessments or Evaluations Required: Yes

Proof of Immunization Required: No

How to Start Homeschooling in West Virginia

West Virginia law allows parents to opt for home instruction, choosing their curriculum and setting a school year schedule that works for them. However, there are some requirements you’ll have to meet, including the following:

• File an initial notice of intent to homeschool.
• Meet the homeschool instructor requirements.
• Perform an annual academic assessment, and submit it to the country superintendent at specified intervals.

Learn more about each of these requirements below.

Notice of Intent for Homeschooling in West Virginia

Before you begin homeschooling, you must file a one-time notice of intent with your superintendent. This notice must include these items:

• Name, address, and age of all children receiving home instruction
• A statement verifying that you will provide instruction in the required subjects.
• A statement agreeing to provide academic assessments at the required intervals.
• Copies of your instructor credentials

The law says you must send this notice before you start instruction. You can write a letter or print and use this simple form instead. Consider sending the notice via certified mail so you have a receipt, and keep a copy for your files.

TIP: This is a call out box it can be moved up or down with the arrows on the tool bar.

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Qualifications to Homeschool in West Virginia

Parents in West Virginia may instruct their children at home, or they may contract with others to provide instruction. No matter who is responsible for teaching, they must hold one of the following credentials:

• High school diploma or equivalent; or
• Post-secondary degree or certificate from a regionally accredited institution or from an institution of higher education authorized to confer degrees or certificates by the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education or by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission

TIP: Include a copy of your diploma or certificate with your initial letter of intent.

Options for Homeschooling in West Virginia 

Homeschooling families in West Virginia can approach homeschooling in three different ways.

• Homeschooling with school board approval
• Homeschooling with a Notice of Intent (NOI)
• Homeschooling with a learning pod

Most West Virginia homeschooling families homeschool by submitting a Notice of Intent, as it offers more flexibility. With that in mind, the information on this page covers the expectations for families who homeschool with a Notice of Intent. See below to learn more about West Virginia’s other homeschooling options.

Homeschooling with Board Approval

This approach to homeschooling comes with the most requirements. The school board must approve the subjects you intend to teach, where you plan to teach them, and how you plan to assess student progress. Home educators will need to teach for a time that’s equivalent to the school terms in your area and provide records to the school board if requested. Records must document each student’s attendance, subject instruction, and progress.

Homeschooling as a Learning Pod

Homeschooling as a learning pod is similar to homeschooling with a Notice of Intent, except students are permitted to learn as a group. When filing your NOI, you must state that your child will be part of a learning pod. Aside from that, this method of homeschooling follows the other requirements of homeschooling with an NOI.

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Mandatory School Age in West Virginia

Children must begin school or home instruction the year they turn 6 before July 1st and continue with instruction until they turn 17.

West Virginia Homeschool Subject Requirements

West Virginia requires all students, including homeschoolers, to receive instruction in the following: 

• Reading
• Language arts
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social studies

Home educators choose their curriculum, textbooks, and educational materials. You may wish to use the West Virginia Content Standards & Objectives as a guide, but you are not required to by law.

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West Virginia Homeschool Attendance Requirements  

Homeschool students are not required to receive a minimum number of days or hours of instruction per year. Home educators may wish to offer a minimum of 180 days of instruction, matching the public school calendar, but they are not required to.

West Virginia Homeschool Record-Keeping Requirements 

West Virginia requires families to complete and maintain annual academic assessments (see above). Families may also wish to include other items in their child’s school file, such as attendance records, courses and grades, a list of textbooks, curriculum programs, and a portfolio of representative work samples.

TIP: Maintaining detailed school records will make it easier to generate transcripts for your child later on or transition them to public school if needed.

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West Virginia Homeschool Assessments and Evaluations 

Each year, homeschool students must undergo an academic assessment. In certain years, you’re required to submit those assessments to your county superintendent. Otherwise, you must maintain copies of the annual assessment in your files for at least three years.

Academic Assessment Options

Families may use any one of the following:

• Nationally-Normed Standardized Achievement Test: The test must have been published or normed within the last 10 years and administered by a qualified person according to the published instructions and guidelines. It must cover the subjects of reading, language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.
• Public School Testing Program: Work with your local district to participate in their assessment program. Learn more about West Virginia school assessments here.
• Portfolio Review: A certified teacher reviews a portfolio of representative work samples. They provide a written narrative of the student’s progress in reading, language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, noting any areas that need improvement. 
• Alternative Assessment: Parents and the superintendent work together to agree on an alternative assessment form. 

Assessment Submission Years

Families must submit a copy of their child’s academic assessment to the county superintendent by June 30th when the child is in 3rd, 5th, 8th, and 11th grade.

Required Immunizations for Homeschoolers in West Virginia

West Virginia’s immunization laws apply only to public, private, and parochial schools, not homeschoolers. 

TIP: Students who wish to take classes or participate in athletics at public schools may need to meet immunization requirements first.

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Resources for Homeschool Families in West Virginia

Homeschooling families often seek opportunities to enhance their children’s education, promote socialization, and empower their homeschooling journey. Families can achieve this by joining homeschool groups, co-ops, or larger associations. 

These connections can provide valuable resources and opportunities for homeschooling families to engage with other like-minded individuals, share ideas, and learn from each other. 

Homeschool Groups and Co-ops in West Virginia

Homeschool families often support each other, and organizations and groups open the door to these support systems and also provide information on resources, events, and more. Here are two well-known options to help you get started:

• West Virginia Home Educators Association (WVHEA): This group is open to all homeschool families, regardless of religion or educational philosophy. They offer homeschool how-tos, resources, and a homeschool hotline.
• Christian Home Educators of West Virginia (CHEWV): Christian homeschoolers will find like-minded families here, along with events like graduation and a fine arts festival.

Find a great list of local West Virginia homeschool groups and co-ops at The Homeschool Mom.

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Sports Opportunities for Homeschoolers in West Virginia

Homeschool students who meet certain guidelines, including being enrolled in at least one virtual public school course, can participate in athletics and other extracurriculars at their local public school.

There are many other ways homeschoolers can participate in sports and athletics, including homeschool sports leagues and community youth sports programs. Take a look at some of these options in West Virginia:

West Virginia Homeschool Field Trips 

Field trips provide an excellent opportunity for homeschool families to explore the world and apply their learning to real-life experiences. The flexibility of homeschool scheduling gives you the opportunity to plan trips that fit your curriculum all year round. 

TIP: Join other homeschoolers to qualify for group discounts and special educational programs.

West Virginia has so many beautiful state parks and historical sites to explore–you could visit a new one every week! At the West Virginia State Museum in Charleston, learn about the history and culture of the state, while the nearby Clay Center offers arts, sciences, and more all under one roof. Drop into Harpers Ferry to learn its unique Civil War history, or take a ride on the Cass Scenic Railroad. Explore the area’s original inhabitants at Grave Creek Mound Archeological Complex, one of the state’s hidden treasures.

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Special Education Homeschoolers

West Virginia does not have any laws requiring local school districts to provide special education services to homeschooling students with special needs.

Families homeschooling a child in need of special education services should contact the local school district to see what their policy is for offering support to homeschoolers.

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West Virginia Homeschool FAQ

Is West Virginia a homeschool-friendly state?

West Virginia’s required academic assessments mean the state has a little more oversight of homeschoolers than others. However, parents have complete freedom to choose their curriculum, textbooks, and educational materials. They can also set their own schedules and choose from several types of annual assessments.

TIP: West Virginia homeschoolers can take classes at public schools or through virtual courses. 

Homeschoolers in West Virginia can also request instructional resources, like textbooks and teaching materials, from their local districts. The state considers diplomas earned by homeschoolers the same as those issued by the public schools. Overall, these factors make West Virginia a friendly state to homeschool families.

How do West Virginia homeschoolers receive diplomas or transcripts?

Parents or other homeschool instructors may issue diplomas to students when they have completed their high school course of study. The state of West Virginia mandates that these diplomas be treated the same as those issued by public schools.

Families are also responsible for generating their own transcripts. 

TIP: Use your detailed academic records to create transcripts for college applications and other needs.

Is unschooling legal in West Virginia?

West Virginia homeschool families may choose any instructional methods they like to teach the required subjects, including unschooling.

Can West Virginia homeschoolers participate in the Promise Scholarship program?

Homeschoolers are eligible for the Promise Scholarship program, provided they meet certain requirements. Learn more about the program and requirements here.

How do West Virginia homeschool students obtain work permits?

Contact your county superintendent for a work permit for homeschool students aged 14 and 15.