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Homeschool laws · State guide

Homeschooling in West Virginia

West Virginia's notice option asks for a one-time notice, a parent with a high school diploma or equivalent, and a yearly assessment kept three years, with results sent in grades 3, 5, 8 and 11.

Last checkedAgainst Statute + state sources

West Virginia at a glanceLevel: Moderate

Notice to the state
Yes
A one-time notice of intent to the county superintendent or board when home instruction begins; notify them again if you stop or move counties (W. Va. Code §18-8-1(c)(2)(A)).
Testing
Yes
A yearly assessment: a normed test, state testing, a certified teacher's portfolio review, or an agreed alternative. Send results for grades 3, 5, 8 and 11 to the superintendent by June 30 (W. Va. Code §18-8-1(c)(2)).
Record-keeping
Required
Keep copies of each student's academic assessment for three years (W. Va. Code §18-8-1(c)(2)(D)).
Immunization
Not required
Home instruction requires neither immunization nor vaccination records. School-entry rules apply under the private-school option (W. Va. Code §16-3-4; 64CSR95 §1.6).
Required subjects
Yes, 5
Reading, Language, Mathematics, Science, Social studies
Instruction time
No set instructional year under the notice option (WVDE); the county-approval option requires time equal to the public instructional term
Parent qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent, or a qualifying post-secondary degree or certificate
W. Va. Code §18-8-1(c)(2)(B)
Compulsory school age
From the school year a child turns 6 before July 1 until the 17th birthday, or earlier on enrolling in public kindergarten; 18 in Marshall and Wyoming counties
§18-8-1a; §18-5A-3a

Ways to homeschool here: Home instruction by notice of intent (§18-8-1(c)(2)) · Home instruction approved by the county board (§18-8-1(c)(1)) · Approved private, parochial or other school (§18-8-1(b))

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Overview

Under the notice option, the county superintendent may ask the circuit court to deny home instruction only on probable cause, and the court may deny it only on clear and convincing evidence of educational neglect or other compelling reasons (§18-8-1(c)(2)). If assessments fail to show acceptable progress, the parent starts a remedial program; after a second consecutive year, additional evidence of appropriate instruction must be submitted. Home-instructed children may attend county classes with board approval (§18-8-1(c)(3)). WVDE notes parents need not be certified and may choose any curriculum.

Requirements at a glance

  • Notice: One-time notice of intent to the county superintendent or board when home instruction begins (on or before the start date if the child is enrolled in public school), with each child’s name, address and age and assurance of instruction in reading, language, mathematics, science and social studies and of annual assessment; notify on termination and on moving counties. (W. Va. Code §18-8-1(c)(2)(A); WVDE)
  • Testing or assessment: Annual academic assessment by one of: a nationally normed achievement test (acceptable at or above the 4th stanine or showing improvement), the state testing program at a public school, a portfolio review by a certified teacher with a written narrative, or an alternative assessment agreed with the superintendent. Submit results for grades 3, 5, 8 and 11 to the county superintendent by June 30. (W. Va. Code §18-8-1(c)(2)(C), (E))
  • Records: Keep copies of each student’s academic assessment for three years (W. Va. Code §18-8-1(c)(2)(D)).
  • Subjects: Reading, Language, Mathematics, Science, Social studies
  • Instruction time: No set instructional year under the notice option (WVDE); the county-approval option requires time equal to the public instructional term
  • Parent/teacher qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent, or a qualifying post-secondary degree or certificate (W. Va. Code §18-8-1(c)(2)(B))
  • Compulsory attendance ages: From the school year in which a child turns 6 before July 1 until the 17th birthday, or upon earlier enrollment in full-time publicly funded kindergarten; attendance continues while enrolled after 17 (§18-8-1a). Marshall and Wyoming counties extend the age to 18 (§18-5A-3a(b)(2)-(3)).

Sources

This page summarizes the statutes and official pages listed in the sources block, as read on the last-checked date. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm current requirements with your state or local education agency.