How to start homeschooling in West Virginia
Everything West Virginia asks of a homeschool family, in order, from the state’s own sources, checked October 1, 2026. Each step links to a free tool that does it, and there’s a checklist to print at the end.
Step 0: choose how you’ll homeschool
West Virginia gives families 2 legal ways to homeschool. Each has its own steps below. Choose one to see its steps.
Home instruction by notice of intent: step by step
Make sure this option fits your family
Parent with a high school diploma or equivalent files a one-time notice of intent with the county superintendent, teaches the five required subjects, and submits an academic assessment at grades 3, 5, 8 and 11.
Required school ages in West Virginia: From the school year in which the sixth birthday is reached prior to July 1 (or on enrolling in full-time publicly funded kindergarten) to the 17th birthday. Teacher qualification for this option: Person providing instruction submits evidence of a high school diploma or equivalent, or a post-secondary degree or certificate from a regionally accredited institution.
If your child is in school now, withdraw in writing
Send the school a dated withdrawal letter saying your child will be educated at home, and keep a copy. West Virginia also asks for a notice under this option (the next step); file it by its deadline.
File your notice
Required.
When: Upon commencing; on or before the start date if withdrawing from public school; one-time (new notice on moving counties).
What it includes: Notice of intent to the county superintendent or county board upon commencing home instruction, with the name, address and age of each child and assurance of instruction in the required subjects, plus evidence of the instructor's qualification. If the child is currently enrolled in public school, notice is due on or before the date home instruction is to begin. WVDE describes it as a one-time notice. On moving to a new county, notify the previous county superintendent and submit a new notice to the new county superintendent.
Plan your school year: days and hours
West Virginia doesn’t set a number of days or hours for this option.
No days requirement for this option. No hours requirement for this option.
Planning about 180 days, as schools do, gives the year a shape and makes a move to another state easier.
Cover the required subjects
Reading, language, mathematics, science, social studies.
Testing or evaluation
Required every year.
Annual academic assessment by one of: a nationally normed standardized achievement test published or normed within 10 years (acceptable progress = mean in the required subjects within or above the fourth stanine); participation in the county's public school testing program; a portfolio reviewed by a certified teacher who writes a narrative on progress; or an alternative assessment mutually agreed by the parent and county superintendent. Results submitted to the county superintendent at grade levels 3, 5, 8 and 11, as applicable, by June 30 of the year the assessment was given. If acceptable progress is not shown, the parent must start a remedial program; after two consecutive years without acceptable progress, the parent must submit additional evidence to the county superintendent that appropriate instruction is being provided. A disability does not preclude home schooling; state board guidelines provide alternative assessment measures.
Keep the records the state asks for
Required.
Parent maintains copies of each student's academic assessment for three years.
Start teaching
Put your books on a lesson schedule, and the planner spreads the lessons across your school days and moves them when a day is missed. Log attendance in a tap, and keep grades, a portfolio and a transcript as you go.
High school and graduation
§ 18-8-12: a person who administers a program of secondary education at a home school may issue a diploma, which is legally sufficient to show the person has a high school diploma or its equivalent. No course/credit requirements stated.
Official sources for this option
Not confirmed on an official page: Exact verbatim wording of the § 18-8-1(c)(2) notice timing could not be fully quoted; facts above are from the official code page and WVDE summary. Check these points with the state or your local school district before you rely on them; everything else above comes from the official sources listed.
County-board-approved home instruction: step by step
Make sure this option fits your family
Instruction in the home (or another place approved by the county board) by a person the county superintendent and county board judge qualified, for a time equal to the public school instructional term.
Required school ages in West Virginia: From the school year in which the sixth birthday is reached prior to July 1 (or on enrolling in full-time publicly funded kindergarten) to the 17th birthday. Teacher qualification for this option: Person(s) who, in the judgment of the county superintendent and county board, are qualified to instruct in subjects required in public elementary schools.
If your child is in school now, withdraw in writing
Send the school a dated withdrawal letter saying your child will be educated at home, and keep a copy. West Virginia also asks for a notice under this option (the next step); file it by its deadline.
File your notice
Required.
What it includes: Request to the county board for approval; a denial must be justified in writing.
Plan your school year: days and hours
West Virginia sets a minimum.
For a time equal to the public school instructional term set in § 18-5-45. At least 900 instructional hours (the § 18-5-45 instructional term, as amended by SB 890 of 2026).
Cover the required subjects
West Virginia doesn’t list required subjects for this option.
Instructor must be qualified to give instruction in subjects required to be taught in public elementary schools.
Testing or evaluation
Not required under this option.
Keep records anyway
West Virginia doesn’t require records under this option.
Our suggestion: keep attendance, a reading log and a few work samples each year. A move to another state, a college, or a question from the district is much easier with them.
Start teaching
Put your books on a lesson schedule, and the planner spreads the lessons across your school days and moves them when a day is missed. Log attendance in a tap, and keep grades, a portfolio and a transcript as you go.
High school and graduation
§ 18-8-12 allows a home school administrator to issue a diploma.
Official sources for this option
Not confirmed on an official page: Number of days in the § 18-5-45 instructional term not checked; whether any assessment applies to (c)(1) not confirmed. Check these points with the state or your local school district before you rely on them; everything else above comes from the official sources listed.
Your West Virginia checklist
Homeschool Corral · How to start homeschooling in West Virginia · homeschoolcorral.com
- Read West Virginia’s rules for “Home instruction by notice of intent”
- Withdraw from school in writing (if enrolled), and keep a copy
- File the notice (Upon commencing; on or before the start date if withdrawing from public school; one-time (new notice on moving counties))
- Set the first and last day, school days and breaks
- Choose curriculum for each required subject
- Note the testing or evaluation years and deadlines
- Start the required records from day one
- Make a first-week plan and start
- Read West Virginia’s rules for “County-board-approved home instruction”
- Withdraw from school in writing (if enrolled), and keep a copy
- File the notice
- Set the first and last day, school days and breaks (meeting the state minimum)
- Choose curriculum for each required subject
- Start a simple attendance log and reading log
- Make a first-week plan and start
Questions West Virginia parents ask
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in West Virginia?
Home instruction by notice of intent: Yes. When: Upon commencing; on or before the start date if withdrawing from public school; one-time (new notice on moving counties). What to file: Notice of intent to the county superintendent or county board upon commencing home instruction, with the name, address and age of each child and assurance of instruction in the required subjects, plus evidence of the instructor's qualification. If the child is currently enrolled in public school, notice is due on or before the date home instruction is to begin. WVDE describes it as a one-time notice. On moving to a new county, notify the previous county superintendent and submit a new notice to the new county superintendent.
County-board-approved home instruction: Yes. What to file: Request to the county board for approval; a denial must be justified in writing.
How many days or hours do homeschoolers need in West Virginia?
Home instruction by notice of intent: No days requirement for this option. No hours requirement for this option.
County-board-approved home instruction: For a time equal to the public school instructional term set in § 18-5-45. At least 900 instructional hours (the § 18-5-45 instructional term, as amended by SB 890 of 2026).
Do homeschoolers have to take tests in West Virginia?
Home instruction by notice of intent: Yes, every year. Annual academic assessment by one of: a nationally normed standardized achievement test published or normed within 10 years (acceptable progress = mean in the required subjects within or above the fourth stanine); participation in the county's public school testing program; a portfolio reviewed by a certified teacher who writes a narrative on progress; or an alternative assessment mutually agreed by the parent and county superintendent. Results submitted to the county superintendent at grade levels 3, 5, 8 and 11, as applicable, by June 30 of the year the assessment was given. If acceptable progress is not shown, the parent must start a remedial program; after two consecutive years without acceptable progress, the parent must submit additional evidence to the county superintendent that appropriate instruction is being provided. A disability does not preclude home schooling; state board guidelines provide alternative assessment measures.
County-board-approved home instruction: None stated for this subdivision.
Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in West Virginia?
Home instruction by notice of intent: Person providing instruction submits evidence of a high school diploma or equivalent, or a post-secondary degree or certificate from a regionally accredited institution.
County-board-approved home instruction: Person(s) who, in the judgment of the county superintendent and county board, are qualified to instruct in subjects required in public elementary schools.
What subjects are required in West Virginia?
Home instruction by notice of intent: Reading, language, mathematics, science, social studies.
County-board-approved home instruction: West Virginia doesn’t list required subjects.
What records do I need to keep in West Virginia?
Home instruction by notice of intent: Parent maintains copies of each student's academic assessment for three years.
County-board-approved home instruction: West Virginia doesn’t require records. Keeping attendance, a reading log and work samples is still wise.
Keep going
This is a plain-English summary of the state’s official sources, checked on the date shown. It is not legal advice, and laws change. Read the linked official pages, and check with the state or your local school district if anything is unclear.
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