Compulsory Attendance

Your child’s age is your first indicator of his or her eligibility for beginning school. Students is required to be enrolled if they turn six on or before September 30.

see more >

Required Documentation

Virginia school districts set the requirements for what documentation is required prior to enrolling a student in their district. To get that information, contact the district directly.  

Some legal documents are required for Virginia students to attend school:

• Certified Birth Certificate/proof of identity
• Official copy of records/transcripts from the previous school the child most recently attended
• A shot immunization record (or proof that immunization is not required for the child)
• Click here to view the immunization requirements 
• Proof of home address (for example, a rental agreement or tax statement)

What are Charter Schools?

Charter Schools are tuition-free public schools operated by independent, non-profit governing bodies.

Parents, teachers, and community leaders sign a “charter” or contract with a school district or state agency to create a charter school and give students more educational options than their assigned school. Charter schools have flexibility over classroom hours, curriculum, and employment policies, but are subject to periodic reviews based on student performance. In Alabama, public charter school students are measured against the same academic standards as students in other public schools. Local boards of education monitor the academic and financial performance of charter schools, and, can revoke  or refuse to renew a school’s charter.

Virginia Charter Schools

For a list of charter schools in Virginia visit the Virginia Department of Education.

What makes a school “private”?

Private schools charge tuition, and many have a religious mission. Some private schools offer families assistance to make tuition payments. Click below for the complete list of over 630 private schools across the state.

Private School Review offers free, detailed information on U.S. private schools combined with useful community data (e.g., housing costs) and maps of the surrounding areas.

*Information on non-public school admission requirements should be obtained from the school directly.

George Washington University Online High School is an online college preparatory academy for motivated students who are willing to be challenged to become the best students and persons they can be. Combining award-winning curriculum with small class sizes and intensive college counseling, students receive a flexible, individualized education attuned to their own needs and goals.

International Academy is a K12, Inc accredited, online private school for grades K–12. Students earn a U.S. high school diploma while using award-winning K¹² curriculum

They offer extensive, individualized academic and counseling support keep students on track. The flexibility allows students to explore their passions. Full-time and part-time options are available.

Your options

In Virginia, parents have four options when it comes to educating their children at home.  To homeschool under Virginia’s home instruction option, you’ll need to follow these requirements: learn more >

Under the home instruction option:

• Ensure that you possess one of four home instructor qualifications.
  • Possess a high school diploma or higher degree
  • Possess a current Virginia teacher’s license
  • Provide your child with a curriculum
  • Program of study as part of your home instruction program
• Give evidence that you are able to provide your child an adequate education
• File annual notice with your school superintendent.
• Provide an annual evaluation.
  • By august 1 each year, can be results of any standardized test

With a religious exemption:

Under Virginia law, your school board must excuse your child from school if the child, “together with his parents, by reason of bona fide religious training or belief is conscientiously opposed to attendance at school.” 

• Send a religious exemption application letter to your school board.
• Obtain a reply to your religious exemption letter.
• Exempt any additional children.

If needed, reapply next year.

College Credit

Private and home schooled students may also participate.Through the Virginia Index of Performance (VIP) incentive program, the state board recognizes schools and school divisions that are annually increasing student enrollment in dual enrollment, AP or IB courses toward the state goal of 30%. An increase toward this goal earns a high school one VIP bonus point for the Board of Education Distinguished Achievement Award or Board of Education Excellence Award, and meets state goal for Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence.

Students who complete the requirements for an Advanced Studies Diploma with an average grade of “B” or better, and successfully complete college-level coursework that will earn the student at least nine transferable college credits via dual enrollment or other options receive the Governor’s Seal on the diploma.

Dual enrollment courses do not count toward accumulation of the 125% credit hour threshold, after which a postsecondary student who continues to be enrolled after completed 125% of the credit hours needed to satisfy the degree requirements for a specified undergraduate program is charged a surcharge for each additional semester enrolled.

Community colleges must provide dual enrollment students access to appropriate student support programs, academic support services, and activities including access and user privileges to adequate library collections and services and any other learning information or resources.