West Virginia Homeschool Information
—Homeschool In West Virginia—
Homeschooling in West Virginia
Find Out What the State Says About Home Education
West Virginia School Choice
Click above for general information on the school choice.
West Virginia Department of Education
Click above for the state Education Information.
West Virginia Homeschool Review
Here’s a concise overview of West Virginia’s homeschool laws and how enrolling in an accredited online private school may change your obligations:
📚 West Virginia Homeschool Laws
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Three legal pathways:
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School-board approval: Must teach 180 days/year, have board-approved curriculum, and teacher qualifications
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Notice of Intent (most common): Submit NOI (with child’s name, age, address), show parent has ≥ HS diploma, teach core subjects, and assess progress annually; submit results for grades 3, 5, 8, 11 by June 30
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Learning pod: Same NOI requirements as above; applicable when learning in small group setting
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Parent qualifications:
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Must have a high school diploma or equivalent (or higher)
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Subjects required:
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Must cover reading, language arts, math, science, social studies
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Assessment (choose one each year):
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Standardized test (≥ 4th stanine or improvement).
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Public school testing program.
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Portfolio review by a certified teacher.
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Alternative proficiency assessment agreed with superintendent
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Keep assessment records for three years w
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Recordkeeping & oversight:
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Maintain attendance, work samples, curricula and assessments.
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County superintendent may offer resources and request records periodically
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🏫 Enrolling in a Private Accredited Online School
In-State (WV-based) Private Online School
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These schools operate as approved private schools, so students are exempt from homeschool NOI and assessment rules.
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The school handles curriculum, assessment, accreditation, transcripts, and graduation.
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Reduces parental administrative burden, but still might require periodic attendance records (handled by school).
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Accredited diplomas are widely recognized in-state, and protected by WV’s Diploma Fairness Law
Out-of-State (Other State) Private Online School
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WV sees this similarly: student is enrolled in a private accredited school, thus bypasses NOI and homeschool oversight.
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Must ensure school is properly accredited (e.g., Cognia, ACSI, AdvancED, SACS) to avoid diploma/met acceptance issues .
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Diplomas generally accepted in WV/public college systems and by employers.
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Parental recordkeeping is minimal; most compliance is through the online school.
Final Note
An accredited private online school—whether in WV or elsewhere—simplifies compliance, shifts admin responsibility to the school, and generally improves diploma acceptance. Just confirm the provider’s accreditation to ensure your student’s credentials are robust and recognized.
West Virginia K-12 School Choice
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Covers homeschoolers, private schools, tutoring, and microschools.
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Homeschool without Hope remains fully parent-funded with regulatory compliance.
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Oversight concerns: tech delays, vendor issues, rising budget impact, and out-of-state spending.
At bottom line: Private-school and homeschool families in WV can tap the Hope Scholarship to offset educational expenses. Those opting out continue under standard homeschool regulations and self-funding.
West Virginia School Choice
Here’s a brief summary of West Virginia’s school choice and funding programs for private school and homeschool families:
🎓 Hope Scholarship (Education Savings Account)
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What it is: A statewide ESA allowing families to use state education funds (~$4,900‑$5,500 per student) for private school tuition, tutoring, curriculum, homeschool costs, microschools, and more
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Eligibility:
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Current/grown children entering kindergarten or exiting public school for ≥ 45 days.
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Expanding in 2026 to include all school-age children, regardless of prior public school enrollment
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Military families retain eligibility even during temporary out-of-state moves
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Usage & Oversight:
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Funds managed via a state-contracted vendor; families order supplies, pay for services.
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Some tech/backlog issues reported with the vendor platform
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Oversight concerns: rising costs (projected $315 million), out-of-state spending, vetting of vendors/microschools
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🏫 Private School & Homeschool
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West Virginia has no charter schools, but allows inter/intra-district public school transfers
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Homeschoolers who don’t use Hope ESA follow standard homeschooling rules: Notice of Intent, core subjects, annual assessments, but receive no state funding
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Hope Scholarship enrollees bypass homeschool reporting and use funds to pay for curriculum or private programs.
💡 Key Takeaways
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The Hope Scholarship ESA is the main school-choice funding option in WV, offering ~$5K/year per child.
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Starts with kindergarten/public school attendees, but expanding in 2026 to all students
Homeschool Resources for West Virginia
Homeschooling has been part of education for centuries. In earlier times, it was simple to begin without worrying about rules or oversight. Today, however, homeschooling regulations vary by state, and some families may find it more challenging to get started. That’s why NFC Academy provides helpful state-specific pages outlining homeschool laws—to guide and support you as you begin your journey.
In areas with stricter requirements, having reliable support is important. Organizations like the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) offer valuable legal guidance and protection, helping families stay informed and confident. With the right tools and resources, homeschooling can be a rewarding and manageable experience, no matter where you live.
Homeschool Legal Defense Association
Information on this page is intended for informational purposes for homeschool families in the specific state. The information supplied does not, nor is it intended to, provide specific legal advice. For specific legal advice, we recommend you consult an attorney. Membership with Homeschool Legal Defense may provide legal information for your situation, but you may prefer a local private attorney to review your situation to provide specific legal advice. The information provided was assisted in writing by AI.