West Virginia offers two homeschool pathways: notice and assessment under §18-8-1 (Option B) or instruction by a qualified person approved by the county board (Option A). Option B is the most common and is parent-directed.
Legal framework
Home instruction is governed by West Virginia Code §18-8-1(c). The West Virginia Department of Education publishes general guidance, with notification handled at the county level.
Notification & registration
Option B parents file a Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction with the county superintendent before starting and whenever they move to a new county. Annual re-notification is not required.
Recordkeeping
Option B requires the instructor to hold at least a high school diploma or its equivalent and to administer an annual academic assessment in grades 3, 5, 8, and 11 (a nationally normed standardized test, a portfolio review by a certified teacher, or another statutory option). Results are filed with the county superintendent.
Graduation requirements
West Virginia does not prescribe specific high school graduation requirements for home-instructed students. The parent determines completion. Aligning the transcript with the West Virginia public high school graduation requirements is a useful reference for the PROMISE scholarship and other in-state programs.
Who issues the diploma
The parent operating the home instruction program issues the diploma in the name of the family's program.
College & military recognition
WVU, Marshall, and other West Virginia public institutions admit home-instructed graduates routinely. Homeschool graduates qualify for Tier 1 military enlistment under current DoD policy.
Official source
For current statutory text, forms, and procedural updates, the authoritative source is the West Virginia Department of Education. Homeschool laws change, so confirm specific requirements directly with the state before relying on them.