Homeschooling in West Virginia offers a lot of freedom. That’s why there are many families who are homeschooling their children. In fact, 5.8% of K-12 students in West Virginia were homeschooled during the 2022-2023 school year.
However, it's important to understand the state's rules to make sure you're homeschooling legally. You might be curious about how to inform the state that you're homeschooling. Additionally, you may want to know what subjects to teach and how to track your child's progress.
This blog will guide you through everything you need to know to get started with homeschooling in West Virginia. We'll explain the homeschooling laws in simple terms and help you understand what you need to do to comply with them.
We'll also discuss things like choosing a curriculum, setting up your homeschool, and keeping records of your child's progress. With a little planning and preparation, you can create a successful and enjoyable homeschooling experience for your family.
The most important thing to understand before you start homeschooling your child is the West Virginia homeschool laws.
Understanding West Virginia Homeschooling Laws
West Virginia has laws that make it pretty easy to homeschool your child. It's like having the freedom to design your own learning adventure for your child! But it's still important to understand the rules of the road before you start your journey.
Tell the State You're Homeschooling
You need to send a letter to your local superintendent saying that you're going to homeschool your child. This is called a "notice of intent." It's an official way to inform the state that you'll be educating your child at home.
Why is This Important?
This lets the state know that you're taking responsibility for your child's education and that they won't be attending public school. It also helps prevent any problems if someone thinks your child is skipping school, which is called truancy.
Ages for Homeschooling
You can homeschool your child if they are between the ages of 6 and 17. This is the same age range that kids have to go to public school. You can start homeschooling your child as soon as they turn 6, and you can continue homeschooling them all the way through high school.
Follow the Rules
Even though you're homeschooling, you still need to make sure your child is getting a good education. This means teaching them important subjects like reading, writing, and math and making sure they are learning and growing.
You have a lot of freedom to choose how you teach these subjects, but it's important to make sure your child is making progress.
By understanding these simple rules, you can start your homeschooling journey in West Virginia with confidence.
If you’re curious about how West Virginia compares to other states for homeschooling, check out our blog, Best States for Homeschooling in the US: A Comprehensive Guide. It’s a helpful resource to explore the top states for homeschooling and what makes them stand out.
Now that you know the basic laws, the first step in starting your homeschool journey in West Virginia is sending your notice of intent.
Sending Your Notice of Intent: Telling West Virginia You're Homeschooling
Once you've decided to homeschool, you need to let the state know by sending a "Notice of Intent" to your county superintendent. This is a simple letter that says you're going to homeschool your child, kind of like letting them know you'll be taking over their education.
When to Send It
Two Weeks Before: Send your notice at least two weeks before you start homeschooling. This gives the superintendent time to process it and make sure everything is in order.
Every Year: You need to send a new notice every year to keep your homeschooling legal. This shows that you're continuing to homeschool and that your child is still meeting the requirements.
What to Include
Important Information: Make sure you include your child's full name, address, and age in the letter. This helps the superintendent keep track of who is being homeschooled in their county.
Required Subjects: You also need to say that you will be teaching your child the required subjects, like reading, writing, and math. This assures the state that your child will be getting a well-rounded education.
Annual Assessments: Let the superintendent know that you understand your child will need to take a test every year to check their progress. This is usually a standardized test that helps measure your child's academic achievement.
If You Move
New Notice: If you move to a different county in West Virginia, you'll need to send a new Notice of Intent to the superintendent in your new county. This lets the new county know that you're homeschooling and helps them keep track of your child's education.
Keep Good Records
Save Everything: Keep a copy of your Notice of Intent and any other letters or emails you send to the superintendent. This will help you stay organized and show that you're following the rules if anyone ever asks.
Why is this important? It's always a good idea to have proof of your communication with the school district, just in case there's ever a question or misunderstanding.
Include Your Qualifications
Tell them about yourself: It's a good idea to include some information about your qualifications as a teacher in your notice. This could be your education level or any experience you have with teaching or working with children.
Why is this helpful? Including your qualifications can help show the superintendent that you are prepared to homeschool your child and provide them with a good education.
By following these simple steps, you can make sure you're homeschooling legally in West Virginia.
Once your notice of intent is submitted, the next step is planning your child’s education.
Creating Your Homeschool Curriculum: What to Teach in West Virginia
You've decided to homeschool in West Virginia—that's fantastic! Now, it's time to figure out what your child will be learning. You'll want to make sure you are covering all the important subjects and meeting the state's requirements.
Required Subjects
The Basics: West Virginia wants to make sure your child is learning important subjects. Therefore, you need to teach them things like reading, writing, math, science, and social studies.
Other Subjects: Depending on your child's age, you might also need to include subjects like health and physical education.
Flexibility is Key
You're the Boss: The great thing about homeschooling in West Virginia is that you get to choose how you teach these subjects! You can use textbooks, workbooks, online programs, or even create your own lessons.
Set Your Own Schedule: You also get to decide when and how much you homeschool each day. You don't have to follow the same schedule as the public schools.
Following State Standards (Optional)
Guidelines: If you want to make sure your child is learning the same things as children in public school, you can follow the West Virginia Content Standards and Objectives.
Helpful for the Future: This can be helpful if your child ever wants to go back to public school or apply for college.
Adding More Fun
Electives: You can also add other subjects that your child is interested in, like music, art, or foreign languages. This can make learning more fun and exciting!
By following these guidelines and choosing resources that fit your child's needs, you can create a homeschooling experience that is both educational and enjoyable.
Want a homeschool curriculum that's as unique and exciting as your child?
The American Emergent Curriculum (AEC), created by The School House Anywhere (TSHA), is designed to make learning an adventure! It's all about sparking curiosity, developing creativity, and helping children develop a lifelong love of learning.
Here's what makes the AEC special:
Child-centered learning: The AEC follows your child's lead, focusing on what they're interested in and what they need to learn. This means you can create a learning experience that is truly special for your child. They get to explore the things they love and are curious about.
Hands-on exploration: The AEC is packed with activities and projects that let your child learn by doing things, not just by reading or listening. They'll get to build things, create art, do experiments, and explore the world around them in a fun and exciting way.
Interconnected learning: The AEC combines different subjects, like math and science, into one big learning adventure. This helps children see how everything is connected and makes learning more interesting and meaningful.
Real-world connections: The AEC brings learning to life by connecting it to things your child already knows and experiences. This might involve cooking a recipe to learn about fractions or building a birdhouse to learn about measurement.
Ready to give your child a learning experience they'll love?
With your curriculum in place, it’s important to understand who is eligible to teach in your homeschool.
Who Can Teach? Instructor Requirements in West Virginia
When you homeschool in West Virginia, you need to make sure that the person teaching your child meets the state's requirements. This helps ensure that your child is getting a good education and that you are following the homeschooling laws.
What are the Requirements?
High School Diploma: The person teaching your child needs to have at least a high school diploma or something similar, like a GED. This shows they have a basic level of education and are prepared to teach different subjects.
Proof of Qualifications: When you send your Notice of Intent to the state, you might need to include proof of your qualifications, like a copy of your diploma. This helps the state verify that you meet the requirements for homeschooling.
College Degrees: If the teacher has a college degree, it needs to be from a school that is accredited. This means the school meets certain standards of quality and that the degree is legitimate. This is important because it shows that the teacher has received a higher level of education.
Who Can Teach?
Parents as Teachers: You can teach your child yourself as long as you meet the requirements. Many homeschooling parents choose to teach their children themselves, and it can be a rewarding experience.
Hiring a Teacher: You can also hire someone else to teach your child, like a tutor or another homeschooling parent. This can be helpful if you need extra support in certain subjects or if you don't have the time to teach your child yourself.
It's important to make sure that whoever is teaching your child meets these requirements. This helps ensure that your child is getting a good education and that you are following the homeschooling laws in West Virginia.
After knowing who can teach, it’s equally important to track your child’s academic progress.
Checking Your Child's Progress: Assessments in West Virginia
West Virginia wants to make sure that all homeschooled children are learning and growing. To do this, they require you to assess your child's progress regularly. This helps you see how your child is doing in their studies and identify any areas where they might need extra help.
Different Ways to Assess
You have a few different options for assessing your child's progress:
Standardized Tests: These are tests that many students across the country take. They help you see how your child is doing compared to other children their age. You can usually find these tests through homeschooling organizations.
Portfolio Review: You can create a portfolio of your child's work, like writing samples, art projects, and science experiments. A teacher will then look at the portfolio and give you feedback on your child's progress.
Alternative Assessment: You can also talk to your county superintendent about using a different kind of assessment that fits your child's needs.
When to Assess
You need to assess your child's progress in grades 3, 5, 8, and 11. The results of the assessment need to be sent to the county superintendent by June 30th of that school year.
What if My Child Doesn't Do Well on the Test?
If your child takes a standardized test and doesn't do well, you might need to provide them with some extra help or support. This could include things like tutoring, extra practice, or a different curriculum.
Why are Assessments Important?
Assessments are important because they help you:
Track your child's progress: See how much they've learned over time and identify any areas where they might need extra help or support. Assessments can show you if your child is on track with their learning or if they need to focus on certain subjects.
Make sure your child is meeting the state's standards: This helps ensure that your child is getting a good education and is learning what they need to know. Even though you're homeschooling, the state wants to make sure your child is learning the same basic things as children in public school.
Plan for the future: Assessments can help you plan for your child's future education, whether they're going to college, getting a job, or joining the military. They can help you see if your child is ready for the next step in their education or if they need more preparation.
By understanding the assessment requirements and choosing the right option for your child, you can make sure they are getting the best possible education.
Keeping good records is just as crucial as assessments. Up next, we’ll talk about why record-keeping matters and how to do it effectively.
Keeping Good Records: Why It Matters in West Virginia Homeschooling
Keeping good records is an important part of homeschooling in West Virginia. These records help you track their progress, show what they've learned, and can even be helpful if they decide to go back to public school or apply for college.
What Records Do You Need to Keep?
Assessment Results: Keep a copy of your child's test scores or portfolio reviews for at least three years. This shows that your child is making progress in their learning.
Attendance: Keep track of the days your child does schoolwork. This shows that you're meeting the state's requirement of 180 days of instruction each year.
Curriculum and Textbooks: Keep a list of the curriculum you're using and the textbooks your child is reading. This helps you stay organized and shows what your child is learning.
Work Samples: Keep examples of your child's work, like writing assignments, tests, and projects. This helps you see their progress and provides a showcase of what they've learned.
How to Keep Records
Create a Portfolio: You can organize your child's work and records into a portfolio. This makes it easy to see their progress and have everything in one place.
Use Digital Tools: You can also use a computer or an app to keep track of your records. This can be helpful for staying organized and making sure you don't lose any important documents.
Keep Records Updated: Make sure you update your records regularly. This will make it easier to track your child's progress and stay on top of things.
High School Records: If your child is in high school, it's especially important to keep good records. These records can be used to create a transcript for college applications.
Teacher Qualifications: Keep a copy of your teaching credentials or any other documents that show you are qualified to homeschool your child.
Wish homeschool record-keeping was as easy as a walk in the park?
Keeping track of your child's homeschooling journey is important, but it can also be time-consuming and overwhelming. Transparent Classroom, a tool by The School House Anywhere (TSHA), is here to help! It's a simple and intuitive online platform that makes homeschool record-keeping a breeze.
Here's how Transparent Classroom can make your life easier:
Effortless Organization: Keep all your important homeschooling documents, from assignments and grades to test scores and work samples, organized in one secure and easy-to-access place. No more searching for lost papers or trying to decipher messy handwriting!
Beautiful Portfolios: Create stunning digital portfolios that showcase your child's learning journey and celebrate their accomplishments. You can easily add photos, videos, and work samples to create a visual record of their progress that you can share with family and friends.
Simplified Reporting: Need to generate reports for your state's homeschooling requirements? Transparent Classroom makes it a snap! Create customized reports with just a few clicks, saving you time and energy to focus on what matters most - teaching your child.
Ready to say goodbye to homeschooling stress and hello to organized joy?
Finally, let’s wrap up by looking at homeschool graduation in West Virginia and what you need to know to prepare your child for this milestone.
Homeschool Graduation in West Virginia: What You Need to Know
When you homeschool your child in West Virginia, you get to decide when they graduate from high school. It's like being the principal of your own little school!
You're in Charge
Decide when your child is ready: You get to decide when your child has learned enough to graduate. You don't have to follow the same rules as public schools.
Personalized learning: This means you can let your child learn at their own pace and focus on the things they are most interested in.
Homeschool Diplomas are Official
Just like public school: When your child graduates from your homeschool, you can give them a diploma, and it will be recognized just like a diploma from a public school.
Opportunities after graduation: This means your child can use their homeschool diploma to apply for college or get a job.
For more details on creating and using a homeschool diploma, check out our blog, How to Get a Homeschool Diploma: A Comprehensive Guide. It’s a helpful resource to ensure your child’s diploma is both official and meaningful for their future plans.
What About College?
Follow state standards (optional): You can choose to follow the same standards as public schools if you want to make sure your child is prepared for college.
Create a transcript: A transcript is a document that lists all the courses your child has taken and the grades they earned. This can be helpful for college applications.
Check college requirements: Be sure to familiarize yourself with the specific admission requirements of the colleges your child wants to apply to.
Homeschooling in West Virginia gives you a lot of flexibility when it comes to graduation. By understanding the rules and planning ahead, you can make sure your child is prepared for whatever they want to do after they graduate.
Wrapping Up
You've made it to the end of our guide to homeschooling in West Virginia! You're now equipped with the knowledge to tackle those first steps, from understanding the homeschooling laws to finding the right curriculum and support. Keep in mind that homeschooling is about discovering what suits your family’s needs. So feel free to try different methods and make changes along the way.
The most important thing is to create a homeschooling environment where your child feels supported, challenged, and excited to learn. Keep exploring those amazing resources, connect with other homeschooling families, and adopt the freedom and flexibility that homeschooling provides.
Want to homeschool in West Virginia but not sure where to start?
Homeschooling can be an incredible adventure, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming at times. The School House Anywhere (TSHA) is here to help you homeschool your children in West Virginia and create a learning experience that's both joyful and successful for your family.
Here's how TSHA can support you on your homeschooling journey:
Understand the Rules: We provide clear and easy-to-understand resources on West Virginia's homeschooling laws and regulations so you can feel confident you're meeting all the requirements.
Discover Your Perfect Curriculum: Choosing a curriculum can be tough! With the American Emergent Curriculum, we offer the perfect fit for your child's learning style and your family's needs..
Get Expert Advice: Have questions? Need encouragement? Our team of experienced educators is here to support you every step of the way.
Connect with Other Homeschoolers: Join our vibrant online community of homeschooling families in West Virginia and across the country. Share your experiences, ask questions, and find inspiration from others who understand the homeschooling journey.
Make Homeschooling Affordable: We’re committed to making quality education accessible to all. To support this goal, we provide flexible payment options and scholarships to ensure homeschooling is within reach for every family.
Ready to create a learning experience that your child will love?
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