Please note, this is not intended as legal advice. This is for informational purposes only and should you choose to Homeschool in West Virginia then you need to double check the West Virginia Department of Education website for current regulations.
Families have 2 options to legally homeschool in the state:
- Option 1: Getting approval from a school board for homeschooling. (Least popular option)
- Submit intended curriculum, instruction plan, and location to be approved by the local school board
- Provide at least 180 instructional days per year
- Provide attendance and progress information when requested
- Use an approved method of assessment for progress reporting
- Note: a school board can deny any request for “good and reasonable justification”
- Option 2: Submitting a Notice of Intent to either their county’s Board of Education or Superintendent of Education
- An attached outline of their instruction plan
- Assurance that the child will receive instruction in reading, language, mathematics, science and social studies
- Assurance that the child will participate in an annual educational assessment of either a nationally normed standardized achievement test, a standardized test offered within the local school system, or an evaluation by a certified teacher of your child’s portfolio with samples their school work
The best way to stay on top of changes in homeschool regulations is to connect with other local homeschoolers in West Virginia.
West Virginia Secular Homeschool Groups
Mountaineer Secular Homeschoolers
“Mountaineer Secular Homeschoolers is a non-religious support group that reflects the diversity of the homeschooling community. Its members are committed to the idea that religious belief is a personal matter rather than a prerequisite of homeschooling support groups. Our members come from all over north central West Virginia (United States of America) and come with a variety of homeschooling styles and experience.”
Southern WV Secular Homeschoolers
“We are a Secular Homeschool Group serving the Beckley and surrounding areas. The goal is to find and unite the secular homeschool families in southern WV for activities and support.”
“This support group dates back to 1983 and started with just a newsletter to keep families connected.”
West Virginia Secular Homeschoolers
“This is an exclusively secular group for West Virginia homeschoolers. Secular means *no religion* so our members are free-thinkers, atheists, agnostics, and other non-religious homeschoolers. While we don’t deliberately offend those who are religious, we also won’t tiptoe around to avoid it.”
