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Withdrawing from school to homeschool in Virginia

How to take your child out of school to homeschool in Virginia, step by step: what to file first, what to tell the school, and a letter to print.

This is general information, not legal advice; check your state's own page. Laws change, and Virginia's own statute and education department are the final word. The links below go straight to them.

Deadlines, forms and amounts checked on against the sources linked on this page.

Step by step

  1. Before your child's last day, do what Virginia asks of a new homeschool. By August 15: Notify the division superintendent of your intention to provide home instruction, with a list of subjects for the coming year and evidence you meet one of the four criteria. If you move in or start after the school year has begun: Notify the division superintendent as soon as practicable, and meet the rest of the requirements within 30 days. Fill in the Virginia letter of intent.Source: Code of Virginia 22.1-254.1, home instruction (General Assembly)
  2. Tell the school. We did not find a Virginia rule on how to tell the school. A short dated letter, with a copy kept, gives you a record of the day your child left.
  3. Ask for your child's records (report cards, test results, any evaluations or plans) so you know where your child stands. Good practice, not a legal step.
  4. If your child has an IEP or a 504 plan, ask the district before you leave what, if anything, it offers homeschooled students, and get a copy of the plan. Good practice, not a legal step.
  5. Keep copies of everything you send and anything you get back, with the dates. Good practice, not a legal step.
  6. Start your records on day one. The statute lists no records a parent must keep at home. What goes to the division superintendent is the August 15 notice and the August 1 evidence of progress. The superintendent and school board may not share that information outside the school division without the parent's written consent, other than reporting to the state the number of students receiving home instruction.Source: Code of Virginia 22.1-254.1, home instruction (General Assembly)

A letter to the school

Fill this in and print it. It tells the school your child is leaving to be taught at home and asks for the records. It is not the state's notice; that is the letter of intent.

For example a copy of your notice, or the acknowledgement the state sent you.

Nothing you type here is saved or sent.

Your letter

________________

To: ________________

I am withdrawing ________________ from your school. My child will be educated at home under the law of Virginia.

Please send me a copy of my child's school records.

Thank you.

SignatureDate
Keep a copy with the date you handed it in or mailed it.

Where this comes from

Checked on October 29, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Laws and forms change; confirm a date with your school district or the state agency before you rely on it. For legal advice, ask a lawyer licensed in Virginia; homeschool legal-help organizations and your state's homeschool groups can also point you to help. Something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.