Homeschooling in West Virginia

The homeschool rules in West Virginia, from official sources: your options, any notice, what to teach and record, testing, official forms, the law and who to contact.

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Last checked: October 25, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice – check your state’s official page: West Virginia official page.

Broad level: Moderate regulation – our own rough summary, what the levels mean.

Compulsory school age: From the school year in which the child turns 6 (before July 1), or on enrolling in full-time public kindergarten, until 17. – W. Va. Code § 18-8-1a(a), checked October 25, 2026.

Your options

1) Homeschool by notice of intent (W.Va. Code 18-8-1(c)(2)). 2) Home instruction approved by the county board (18-8-1(c)(1)): instructor judged qualified by superintendent and board, for a term equal to the public school term; records on request; written reasons for denial. 3) Private/parochial school (18-8-1(b)).

Education savings accounts: From 2026–27 every K–12 student in West Virginia can apply for the Hope Scholarship, including traditional homeschool students. Hope participation is a separate exemption from compulsory attendance (W. Va. Code 18-8-1(m)), not home instruction under 18-8-1(c), and starts with a notice of intent to the county superintendent. The projected 2026–27 award is $5,435.62. Students learning at home on an individualized plan need a nationally normed test or a certified teacher’s review each year, sent to the county superintendent by June 8. See Hope Scholarship parent handbook.

Notice or letter of intent

One-time notice of intent to the county superintendent or designee (name, address, age of each child; assurance of instruction in required subjects and annual assessment); if the child is in public school, on or before the date home instruction begins. Also give notice when home instruction ends and when moving county.

Need a letter? See our letter of intent and withdrawal letter templates – but use the official form below if there is one.

Who you deal with locally

In West Virginia, you deal with the county superintendent (or a designee) – West Virginia’s public schools are run by county boards of education.

What you send: A one-time notice of intent (the state has a form); then assessment results for grades 3, 5, 8 and 11.
When: If your child is in public school, on or before the day home instruction begins. Results by June 30 of the year of the assessment. Tell the county when home instruction ends or when you move to another county.
Find your office: WVDE: Homeschool letter of intent (form) · Find your school district (U.S. Department of Education NCES search – by name, city, county or ZIP code).

We link to official finders rather than list every district. If your district or county has its own form or deadlines, follow those as well as the state rules above. See which states are handled locally.

Subjects, time, assessment and records

Subjects: Reading, language arts, mathematics, science and social studies.
Days or hours: No set instructional year required.
Testing or assessment: Annual assessment by one of: nationally normed test (normed within 10 years; acceptable if at/above 4th stanine or improved); WV public school test; portfolio reviewed by a certified teacher; or alternative agreed with superintendent. Submit results for grades 3, 5, 8 and 11 by June 30; remedial program if progress unacceptable.
Records: Keep copies of assessment results for three years; submit grades 3/5/8/11 results to the county superintendent.

Parent qualifications

The person giving home instruction must submit satisfactory evidence of a high school diploma or equivalent, or a post-secondary degree or certificate from a regionally accredited or WV-authorized institution (W.Va. Code 18-8-1(c)(2)(B), current text). SB 966 (2026), which would have dropped this, was moved to the inactive calendar on Feb. 27, 2026 and did not pass.

Other rules

Parent-issued diplomas are legally sufficient (18-8-12). Students in public school half a day or less still count as homeschool for assessment.

Official forms

WVDE Homeschool Letter of Intent: wvde.us/…

The law

W.Va. Code 18-8-1; 18-5-15g; 18-8-1a; 18-8-12 – read the law

Who to contact

West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) – Office of Academic Support (homeschool guidance)No email published · 1-833-627-2833 · Official pageWho handles notices: Local district (county superintendent) – who you deal with locally

Special education and public school classes and sports

On request the county board must tell parents in writing about services to assess special ed eligibility; a disability finding does not stop home schooling; State Board guidelines cover home-schooled special ed students (18-8-1). With county board approval, may attend county classes, CTE and WV Virtual School (18-8-1(c)(3), 18-5-15g). Sports: 2026 SB 689 (homeschool teams v. WVSSAC schools) reported from committee Feb. 26, 2026 – passage not confirmed; individual WVSSAC participation rules not researched. (Not confirmed – check the official page)

Federal rules on Child Find and evaluations apply in every state – see special education.

Going back to public school in West Virginia

West Virginia law says the person providing home instruction must notify the county superintendent when home instruction ends for a child of compulsory school age (W.Va. Code 18-8-1(c)(2)(A)).

Source: West Virginia law: W.Va. Code 18-8-1

To enroll, contact the enrollment or registration office of your local school district or public school, and ask how it decides grade placement and credits before your child starts. See the West Virginia official page, and going back to school after homeschooling for what to bring, placement, credits and special education.

Last checked: October 25, 2026. Report a change to this page

Official sources

Last checked against these sources: October 25, 2026.

This is general information, not legal advice – check your state’s official page. This page sums up official sources in our own words. Homeschool laws differ from state to state and can change. Check your state’s official page and your local school district’s guidance, and get qualified advice for your situation. Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education, any state education agency, school district, College Board, ACT, the GED Testing Service, HiSET, CLT or the Common App.