West Virginia homeschool requirements, in plain English.
Five things every West Virginia homeschool family should know: whether you file a notice, which subjects to cover, how much instruction time is expected, what evaluations look like, and which records to keep.
Notice & registration
File a one-time notice of intent with your county superintendent before you begin home instruction.
The notice lists each child's name, address, and age, gives an assurance that instruction will cover reading, language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies with an annual assessment, and includes evidence that the instructing parent holds a high school diploma (or equivalent) or a post-secondary degree or certificate. If the child is currently in public school, file on or before the day home instruction begins. W.Va. Code 18-8-1(c), 'Exemption B.'
Required subjects
West Virginia expects instruction in the subjects below.
- reading
- language arts
- mathematics
- science
- social studies
Instruction time (hours or days)
West Virginia sets no minimum days or hours for notice-of-intent (Exemption B) homeschooling.
Evaluations & assessments
An academic assessment is required every year; results are submitted to the county superintendent only after grades 3, 5, 8, and 11 (by June 30).
- Nationally normed standardized achievement test (published or normed within the last 10 years) covering reading, language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies
- Participation in the public school testing program
- Portfolio of the child's work reviewed by a certified teacher, with a written narrative on progress
- Alternative assessment mutually agreed upon with the county superintendent
Record keeping
Keep a copy of each year's academic assessment for three years.
Plan to keep your records for at least 3 years.
Common questions
Do I have to file paperwork every year to homeschool in West Virginia?
No. Under the notice-of-intent option (Exemption B), you file a one-time notice with your county superintendent before starting. You do need an academic assessment every year, but you only submit results after grades 3, 5, 8, and 11. Confirm current forms with your county board of education.
Is there a required number of school days or hours in West Virginia?
No. Families homeschooling under the notice-of-intent option are not required to log a minimum number of days or hours. Many families still follow a roughly 180-day calendar by choice.
What is the Hope Scholarship and who can get it?
The Hope Scholarship is West Virginia's education savings account, run by the State Treasurer's Office and the Hope Scholarship Board. Starting with the 2026-27 school year, every West Virginia K-12 student can apply, including families who have always homeschooled. The 2026-27 award is about $5,436 per student. Check hopescholarshipwv.com for current dates and amounts.
If I take the Hope Scholarship, am I still a homeschooler under the regular homeschool law?
Not legally. A Hope Scholarship student learning at home follows the program's own 'individualized instructional program' rules instead of the regular homeschool law. The biggest difference: Hope students report assessment results to the county superintendent every year, while traditional homeschoolers submit results only after grades 3, 5, 8, and 11.
Can Hope Scholarship funds pay for an online curriculum subscription?
Yes, if the provider is registered with the program. Tuition and fees for nonpublic online learning programs and purchases of curriculum and instructional materials are qualifying expenses. Purchases go through the official Hope Scholarship portal, so check that a provider is listed there before counting on it.
What records should I keep as a West Virginia homeschooler?
Keep a copy of each year's academic assessment for at least three years. If you use the Hope Scholarship, also keep your purchase records and the assessment paperwork the program requires each year.
Homeschooling in West Virginia? We’ll handle the paperwork side.
Lessons themed to your kid’s interests, automatic record keeping, and a portfolio export when you need one. 14 days free, no credit card.
Sources
- W.Va. Code 18-8-1 (compulsory attendance; Exemption B home instruction) (accessed 2026-07-03)
- W.Va. Code 18-31-7 (Hope Scholarship qualifying expenses) (accessed 2026-07-03)
- W.Va. Code 18-31-8 (Hope Scholarship IIP requirements) (accessed 2026-07-03)
- WVDE — Homeschool State Code (accessed 2026-07-03)
- Hope Scholarship Parent Handbook (updated 2026-03-02) (accessed 2026-07-03)
- Hope Scholarship Education Service Provider Handbook (accessed 2026-07-03)
- Hope Scholarship official FAQ (award amount, deadlines) (accessed 2026-07-03)
- WV Treasurer press release — 2026-27 full-funding deadline (accessed 2026-07-03)
- Hope Scholarship Board — IIP vs Traditional Homeschool flyer (accessed 2026-07-03)
- West Virginia Watch — Student First Technologies contract (platform change) (accessed 2026-07-03)
- HSLDA — West Virginia (cross-check only) (accessed 2026-07-03)
This page is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm requirements with your state before acting on them.