Virginia provides multiple legal pathways for home instruction, the most common being the “home instruction” statute. Parents notify the local division superintendent annually, demonstrate one of several qualification options, and provide evidence of progress at year end. The parent issues the diploma.
Legal framework
Home instruction is governed by Virginia Code §22.1-254.1. The Virginia Department of Education's Home Instruction page is the authoritative reference.
Notification & registration
Parents file a Notice of Intent to provide home instruction with the local division superintendent by August 15 each year, along with a description of the curriculum and evidence that the parent meets one of the statute's qualification options (high school diploma, qualifying program of study, or providing a curriculum from an approved provider, among others).
Recordkeeping
Each year by August 1, parents provide evidence of academic progress (either results of a nationally normed standardized test or an evaluation showing adequate progress) for the prior school year. Day-to-day records are not collected by the state but are useful for the year-end submission and the high school transcript.
Graduation requirements
Virginia does not prescribe a specific credit list for home-instructed students. The parent determines completion. Many Virginia families align the high school transcript with the state's standard or advanced studies diploma requirements as a reference.
Who issues the diploma
The parent providing home instruction issues the diploma in the name of the family's home instruction program.
College & military recognition
Virginia public colleges and universities, including the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia Community College System, admit home-instructed students routinely. Homeschool graduates qualify for Tier 1 military enlistment under current DoD policy when they present a diploma and transcript.
Official source
For current statutory text, forms, and procedural updates, the authoritative source is the Virginia Department of Education - Home Instruction. Homeschool laws change, so confirm specific requirements directly with the state before relying on them.