Homeschool Guide

How to Homeschool in West Virginia

Here is exactly what West Virginia requires to homeschool legally - how to notify (if needed), what records to keep, testing rules, and how to get started.

Last updated June 2026

Notice required
Required
Instructional days
180 hrs/year
Portfolio
Not required
Testing / evaluation
Required

West Virginia homeschool requirements

  • Notification: File a notice of intent with your county superintendent by August 1. Include curriculum description and parent qualifications.
  • Required subjects: Cover Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Health, PE.
  • Teacher requirement: Parent must hold a high school diploma
  • Portfolio / records: No portfolio is required by the state, though keeping records is recommended.
  • Testing / evaluation: Annual assessment required. Options: standardized test, portfolio review, or meeting with a certified instructor. Submit results to county.
  • Recordkeeping: No retention period is set by the state; keep records organized year to year.

Key dates & deadlines

At the start of the yearFile your required notification with the district or state.
AnnuallyRenew your notification and complete the required assessment.

Getting started in West Virginia

  1. File your required notification with your district or the state (see requirements above).
  2. Set up simple records: a log of instruction and samples of your child’s work.
  3. Choose curriculum covering Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Health, PE.
  4. Plan for the required annual assessment or evaluation.
  5. Check your eligibility for Hope Scholarship, and start keeping receipts for anything you buy for school.
  6. Keep your records organized from year to year.

Scholarships & funding in West Virginia

West Virginia homeschool families may be eligible for Hope Scholarship. Programs like this reimburse or directly fund approved purchases - curriculum, tutoring, testing, and often therapies - against categories the program sets, and every claim has to be documented with receipts. Application windows and award amounts change year to year, so check the official program page before you plan around them.

  • Hope Scholarship - Administered by West Virginia Department of Education — Hope Scholarship Board. Typically covers private school tuition & fees, homeschool curriculum & materials, tutoring services, educational technology, testing & assessment, extracurricular activities, transportation to services. Every claim needs a receipt, and some categories need approval before you buy. Official information: https://hopescholarship.wv.gov/

Official resources

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to notify the state to homeschool in West Virginia?
File a notice of intent with your county superintendent by August 1. Include curriculum description and parent qualifications.
Do I need to be a certified teacher?
Parent must hold a high school diploma
Is standardized testing required?
Annual assessment required. Options: standardized test, portfolio review, or meeting with a certified instructor. Submit results to county.
How long should I keep records?
No retention period is mandated, but keeping thorough records is strongly recommended.
Is there scholarship or ESA funding for homeschoolers in West Virginia?
Yes. West Virginia runs Hope Scholarship. Eligibility, award amounts, and application windows are set by the program and change year to year, so confirm the current rules on the official page before you rely on them.
What subjects must I teach in West Virginia?
West Virginia requires you to cover Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Health, PE. Beyond that the choice of curriculum and approach is yours.
How many days or hours of instruction does West Virginia require?
West Virginia expects about 180 hours of instruction a year. Logging lessons as you go is far easier than reconstructing the total later.
Track all of this automatically

Beyond My Books logs your West Virginia instructional days, required subjects, portfolio, and deadlines - and warns you before anything is due.

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This guide is general information, not legal advice. Homeschool laws change - verify current requirements with your West Virginia department of education or county superintendent.