In West Virginia, homeschooling gives you the flexibility to build an education around your child’s strengths, interests, and goals. State laws give parents the freedom to choose materials, teaching methods, and schedules, making it easier to create a learning plan that works for your family.
Finding the right resources is an important part of that process. With Outschool, you can access live classes led by experienced teachers in everything from math and science to art, coding, and music. These interactive sessions can complement your homeschool lessons, offering fresh perspectives and opportunities for your child to learn alongside other students from across the globe.
Homeschooling options in West Virginia
West Virginia law gives you three ways to meet the state’s compulsory attendance requirements through homeschooling. Each option has its own steps, paperwork, and expectations, so it’s important to choose the one that best fits your situation.
Homeschooling by seeking school board approval
Under this option, you submit a request to your county board that outlines your plan for instruction. Teaching must take place in a location the board approves, for the same length of time as the public school term in your county. The board decides whether you’re qualified to teach the required subjects and may ask for attendance and progress records. If they deny your request, they must provide written reasons.
Homeschooling by submitting a notice of intent
With this path, you file a notice of intent with your county superintendent before you begin homeschooling. Your notice includes your child’s name, age, and address, proof of instructor qualifications, and an assurance that you’ll teach the state's required subjects. You’ll also commit to an annual academic assessment and keep those records for three years. This notice remains valid until you move to a different county or stop homeschooling.
Participating in a learning pod or microschool
If you join a learning pod or microschool, you also file a notice of intent with your county superintendent before starting. The notice includes the same assurances and instructor qualifications as the notice-of-intent path. You’ll follow the same assessment rules and timelines, but your results can be submitted individually or as a group composite.
Requirements for homeschooling in West Virginia
Before you begin homeschooling in West Virginia, it helps to know what the state expects for your chosen path. While the details vary between the three legal options, each comes with its own rules for paperwork, instruction, and assessments. Understanding these upfront makes it easier to stay organized and keep your homeschool running smoothly.
Enrollment paperwork
Getting started begins with sending the right documents to your county. The details depend on the homeschool path you choose.
- For the school board approval path: You’ll submit a request or instructional plan to your county board before teaching begins. Your plan should share where learning will happen, confirm it will match the county’s school term, and outline the subjects you’ll cover.
- For the notice of intent path: File your notice of intent with the county superintendent before your first day. It needs your child’s name, age, and address, proof that the instructor meets the qualification requirement, and a promise that you’ll teach reading, language, mathematics, science, and social studies.
- For the learning pod or microschool path: Before you start, send a notice of intent to your county superintendent. The details are the same as the notice-of-intent path, including proof of instructor qualifications and assurances about teaching the required subjects. You’ll also need to notify the superintendent if you leave the pod or microschool or move to a new county.
Attendance and instruction
West Virginia’s rules for school days and teacher qualifications slightly vary by pathway, so it’s worth knowing what applies to yours.
- For the school board approval path: Follows the county’s public school term, usually 180 days. The county board decides if the teacher is qualified.
- For the notice-of-intent and learning pod paths: These options do not require a set number of instructional days or hours. The teach must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, or a post-secondary degree or certificate from an approved or authorized institution.
Curriculum guidelines
For the notice-of-intent and learning pod options, you must teach reading, language, mathematics, science, and social studies, but you’re free to choose any curriculum you like. Under the school board approval path, the board decides which subjects you must teach.
Recordkeeping essentials
You must maintain copies of your child's annual academic assessment for at least three years. If your child does not make acceptable progress for two consecutive years, you’ll need to provide additional evidence that appropriate instruction is being given. It’s also a good idea to keep copies of your notice of intent or board approval, along with any progress records the county requests.
Testing and assessments
If you’re homeschooling under the notice-of-intent or learning pod paths, you’ll need to complete an academic assessment each year. You can pick the method that works best for your child, either a nationally normed standardized test, the state test at a public school, a certified teacher’s portfolio review with a written narrative, or another assessment you and the county superintendent agree on.
For standardized tests, your child is considered on track if the score is at or above the 4th stanine or shows improvement from the year before. You’ll send the results for grades 3, 5, 8, and 11 to your county superintendent by June 30 of those years.
Homeschool with Outschool
Homeschooling gives you the freedom to design a plan that works for your child, and sometimes it’s nice to add in live, engaging lessons without having to create everything yourself. That’s where Outschool can help. You can mix and match classes to fill in gaps, build skills, or just spark new interests.
Here’s what you can find on Outschool:
- Live, small-group online classes in core subjects like reading, math, and science.
- Enrichment options in areas like art, coding, music, and world languages.
- Project-based and interest-led courses that let your child explore what excites them most.
- Short workshops for quick skill-building or ongoing classes for steady progress.
- Opportunities for peer interaction in a safe, moderated environment.
With so many flexible options, it’s easy to plug Outschool classes into your homeschool schedule and keep learning fresh and engaging all year long.
How to get started
Starting your homeschool journey in West Virginia is easier when you know which path best fits your family. Once you choose your route, you can take care of the paperwork, check the requirements, and get your learning plan underway.
If you’re homeschooling by seeking school board approval
- Create an instructional plan that matches the county’s term length and required subjects.
- Submit your plan to the county board and provide any qualifications or details they request.
- Wait for approval before you begin teaching, and keep track of attendance and progress as required by the board.
If you’re homeschooling by notice of intent
- Make sure the instructor has a high school diploma or equivalent, or an approved post-secondary credential.
- File a notice of intent with the county superintendent before your start date, including your child’s details, required subject assurances, and proof of qualifications.
- Teach the required subjects, complete an annual assessment, and keep copies for three years. Submit results for grades 3, 5, 8, and 11 by June 30.
If you’re participating in a learning pod or microschool
- Confirm that the instructor meets the same qualification requirements as the notice-of-intent path.
- File a notice of intent to participate with the county superintendent before your start date, including all required assurances and proof of qualifications.
- Complete annual assessments, keep records for at least three years, and submit grade-band results by June 30, either individually or as part of a school composite.
Find support through homeschool communities in West Virginia
Homeschooling can feel more manageable when you have other families to share ideas, resources, and encouragement with. Connecting with local groups can help you compare curriculum options, plan activities, and give your child social opportunities.
Statewide organizations
Local groups and co-ops
- Monongalia Area Homeschoolers Association – Serves families in Monongalia County and nearby areas, offering advice on requirements, curriculum, and assessments, plus info on local classes and activities.
- Ritchie County Homeschool Group – For current homeschoolers in Ritchie County and surrounding areas. Members share resources, plan field trips and park days, and discuss West Virginia homeschool laws.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about homeschooling in West Virginia
Deciding to homeschool brings up many practical questions, and you're not alone in wondering about the specifics. These homeschooling in West Virginia faq answers tackle the most common concerns parents have as they plan this educational path for their families.
Do I have to use a specific curriculum?
No, West Virginia gives you complete freedom to choose or design your own curriculum as long as you cover the five required subjects: reading, language, mathematics, science, and social studies. You can select from commercial programs, create your own materials, or blend multiple resources to match your child's learning style.
How do I handle annual assessments for homeschooling in West Virginia?
You must complete annual assessments and submit results to your local education officials by June 30 each year. Choose between standardized testing or having a certified teacher review your child's portfolio - both options satisfy the state's evaluation requirements.
What qualifications do I need to teach my child in West Virginia?
For notice-of-intent and pod paths, you need a high school diploma/equivalent or an approved post-secondary credential. Under board approval, the county decides if you’re qualified.
Can my child participate in public school sports or activities?
Access to public school extracurricular activities varies by district, but many West Virginia counties do allow homeschooled students to participate in sports and other programs. Reach out to your local school district to learn about their specific policies and enrollment procedures.
How do I transition my child back to public or private school if needed?
Maintaining thorough records of your child's coursework, assessments, and progress makes transitions smoother. Most schools will evaluate your homeschool transcripts and may require placement testing to determine the appropriate grade level, so keeping detailed documentation helps support proper credit recognition.
Your homeschool journey starts here
Once you understand the three legal pathways and what each requires, it’s much easier to choose the one that fits your family best. With your paperwork in order and a learning schedule that works for you, you can focus on helping your child grow and enjoy the learning process.
If you’d like to add variety without extra planning, Outschool can be part of your week with live, small-group classes in core subjects and interest-based topics. It’s a simple way to give your child engaging lessons and social time while keeping your homeschool plan flexible.
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