In addition to enrolling a child in public or private school, parents may satisfy the compulsory attendance law by providing home instruction.

As prescribed in §22.1-254.1(B) of the Code of Virginia, families must provide the school division with a description of the curriculum, limited to a list of subjects to be studied during the coming year, along with the Notice (link below) by August 15 of each year. If a family begins home instruction after the school year has started, the family must submit the Notice (link below) as soon as practicable and comply with the other requirements within 30 days. The school division will provide written notice once all required components have been submitted.

No later than August 1 (following the school year for which home instruction was just completed), families must provide evidence of educational achievement as prescribed in Section §22.1-254.1(B) of the Code of Virginia, which defines the requirements for home instruction.

Please refer to the Virginia Department of Education’s Home Instruction webpage for more information and resources regarding home instruction, including the Home Instruction Handbook – Information for Parents (Word document under the "Resources" section).