Informational, not legal advice — verify with your state. We help you organize and document; you decide what to file.
What Virginia asks
Regulation level
Low-Medium (annual notice + evidence-of-progress duty · four qualifying paths)
Statute citation
Va. Code § 22.1-254.1 (home instruction) + § 22.1-254 (compulsory attendance · religious exemption + private tutor routes) · last substantive amendment 2022 c. 355 · 2026 c. 193 (HB 653) amended § 22.1-254 for military-deployment excused absences only · does NOT touch § 22.1-254.1
Who you notify (if any)
Division superintendent of the local school division
How and when
Annually by AUGUST 15 (verbatim § 22.1-254.1(B): 'Parents electing to provide home instruction shall provide such annual notice no later than August 15.'). NOTE: as of 2026-08-22, this date has already PASSED for the current year.
Notification method
Written annual notice + description of curriculum + evidence of one qualifying option
Assessment options
(i) Composite result in or above the fourth stanine on any nationally normed standardized achievement test, OR an equivalent result on the ACT, SAT, or PSAT; OR (ii) an evaluation or assessment that the division superintendent determines to indicate that the child is achieving an adequate level of educational growth and progress. (verbatim § 22.1-254.1(C))
Required subjects
None state-mandated for home instruction
Instruction hours
None per statute
Records required
No state-mandated portfolio format · records supporting the evidence of progress (§ 22.1-254.1(C))
Parent qualification
One of four qualifying options (see qualifying_options_verbatim above) · notably, a HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA (not a baccalaureate degree) satisfies option (i)
Verified August 2026 · from the primary statutes and program documents.