In West Virginia, there are two options by which you may homeschool. The first option allows you to homeschool by requesting approval from the county board of education. The second option enables you to homeschool by sending a Notice of Intent (NOI) to the superintendent.

This page provides everything you need to begin homeschooling under option (c) (2) of West Virginia Code 18-8-1.

PERSON PROVIDING INSTRUCTION

The person providing instruction must have a high school diploma, its equivalency, or a post-secondary degree from a regionally accredited school.

SUBMIT NOTICE OF INTENT

When a child begins homeschooling, the parent or legal guardian must submit a one-time Notice of Intent to the Director of Attendance or Superintendent, preferably before the school year begins. The Notice of Intent (NOI) must include:

• Name of student, Address, and Age

• Assurance that the child will receive instruction in Reading/Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies

• Assurance that the child will be assessed annually

• The person providing the home instruction must submit a copy of his or her Diploma to Tammy Holcomb at tholcomb@k12.wv.us.

• The notice of intent will be effective on the date the notice is postmarked or the date it is submitted in person.

• The Notice of Intent will remain in effect until the Director of Attendance or Superintendent is notified that the family is no longer homeschooling or that the family is moving to another county or state.

ASSESSMENT

An assessment is required annually and must be retained by the parent for at least three years. Your child's assessment results must be submitted to the County for 3rd, 5th, 8th, and 11th grades.  The assessment should be submitted to the Director of Attendance or Superintendent by June 30th.  

NOTE ON TEXTBOOKS: Currently, the county mainly purchases classroom sets of textbooks. However, at times we do have older textbooks available once we get new ones and when others are returned. Therefore, when available and on a first come first serve basis, textbooks may be loaned for home instruction. All textbooks must be returned by June 30th.  Contact the Director of Curriculum, Dr. Pyle, to request textbooks.

W. Va. Code § 18-2-25 allows secondary students to participate in interscholastic athletic events and other extra-curricular activities of by meeting the following criteria: 

1. Has demonstrated satisfactory evidence of academic progress for one year in compliance with the provisions of that subsection: Provided, That the student’s average test results are within or above the fourth stanine in all subject areas; 
   

2. Is enrolled in at least one virtual instructional course per semester, consistent with the applicable virtual instruction policy of the county board in which the home-schooled student lives and the State Board;
   

3. Has not reached the age of 19 by August 1 of the current school year for high school students and age 15 for middle school students; 
   

4. Is an amateur who receives no compensation, but participates solely for the educational, physical, mental and social benefits of the activity; 
   

5. Agrees to comply with all disciplinary rules of the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission and the county board in which the home-schooled student lives; and 
   

6. Agrees to obey all rules of the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission governing awards, all-star games, parental consents, physical examinations, and vaccinations applicable to all high school athletes. 
   

Eligibility is limited to participation in interscholastic athletic events and other extracurricular activities at the public secondary school serving the attendance zone in which the student lives: Provided, that home-schooled students who leave a member school during the school year are subject to the same transfer protocols that apply to member-to-member transfers. Reasonable fees may be charged to the student to cover the costs of participation in interscholastic athletic events and other extracurricular activities.

Sports Physical Form

Notice of Intent

Homeschool Driver Eligibility Statement

Portfolio Review Form

WV Home Educators Association

Christian Home Educators of WV

Home School Legal Defense Association

NOTE:  Webster County Schools does not endorse any of the links or organizations listed above. All of the information provided is intended for research purposes only and is not given as legal advice. One of the most important steps you can do to prepare for homeschooling your child is to become familiar with West Virginia laws about homeschooling.

By Tammy Holcomb