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2026 State Guide
Homeschooling in West Virginia: Requirements & Rules
Homeschooling is legal in West Virginia, and families must meet notification plus testing and/or record requirements. Here’s everything you need to stay compliant, in plain English.
- Regulation level
- Moderate
- Notification
- One-time notice
- Instruction time
- No state mandate
- Required subjects
- 7 subjects
- Assessment
- Required
- Recordkeeping
- Required
- Compulsory ages
- 6–17
Notification
West Virginia requires one-time notice, due annual, before school year begins.
Notice of intent is effective until you move counties or stop homeschooling (since 2016) — no annual refiling.
Instruction time
West Virginia sets no statewide requirement for days or hours of instruction.
No instruction-day requirement under the primary notice-of-intent route; 180 days applies only to the rarely used board-approval option.
Required subjects
- Reading
- Language arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social studies
- Health
- Physical education
Required: reading, language arts, math, science, social studies, health, and PE.
Assessment & testing
West Virginia requires periodic assessment of homeschooled students.
Standardized test required in grades 3, 5, 8, and 11. Results submitted to superintendent.
Recordkeeping
West Virginia requires homeschool families to maintain records.
Records and test results required.
Parent qualifications
Must have a high school diploma or GED.
Track West Virginia’s requirements automatically
Homeschool Wizard logs your school days, hours, and subjects against West Virginia’s rules — and turns them into portfolio PDFs, transcripts, and report cards when you need them. Free for one student.
Private by design: your family’s records stay on your device.
Frequently asked questions
Is homeschooling legal in West Virginia?
Yes — homeschooling is legal in all 50 states. In West Virginia, families must meet notification plus testing and/or record requirements. Children ages 6–17 fall under compulsory education law.
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in West Virginia?
Yes. West Virginia requires one-time notice — annual, before school year begins. Notice of intent is effective until you move counties or stop homeschooling (since 2016) — no annual refiling.
How many days or hours of instruction does West Virginia require?
West Virginia sets no statewide day or hour mandate for homeschoolers. No instruction-day requirement under the primary notice-of-intent route; 180 days applies only to the rarely used board-approval option.
What subjects are required in West Virginia?
West Virginia requires: Reading, Language arts, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Health, Physical education. Required: reading, language arts, math, science, social studies, health, and PE.
Is testing or assessment required for homeschoolers in West Virginia?
Yes — West Virginia has an assessment requirement. Standardized test required in grades 3, 5, 8, and 11. Results submitted to superintendent.
What records do homeschoolers need to keep in West Virginia?
West Virginia requires families to keep homeschool records. Records and test results required.
Official sources
Verify current requirements with the West Virginia Department of Education and HSLDA’s West Virginia page.
Not legal advice. This data is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Homeschool laws change frequently. Always verify requirements with your state's Department of Education or a qualified homeschool legal organization before making compliance decisions. Requirements shown were last verified 2026-09.