Homeschool Laws in West Virginia
West Virginia law, under W. Va. Code § 18-8-1(c), provides two distinct pathways for families who wish to homeschool. Under the first pathway, parents may seek approval from their county board of education, which retains discretion over whether to grant that approval. Under the second pathway, parents file a notice of intent with the appropriate authority and commit to conducting an annual academic assessment. Families must choose one of these two options; the law does not permit homeschooling outside of either framework.
The requirements that follow depend on which pathway a family has selected. Under the board-approval option, assessment methods and required subjects are left to the discretion of the county board. Under the notice-of-intent option, an annual academic assessment is required and must be obtained and retained; acceptable forms include a standardized test, a portfolio review conducted by a certified teacher, or another approved means, as set out in W. Va. Code § 18-8-1(c). Parent qualifications are also a component of the law's requirements, though the specific details attached to each pathway are governed by the same statutory provision.
Homeschool statutes are subject to amendment by state legislatures, and most changes take effect on or around July 1 of a given year. Accordingly, families should confirm the current requirements directly with the West Virginia Department of Education or the relevant county board of education. This summary is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Requirement details
| Notification — detail | Two legal options under W. Va. Code § 18-8-1(c): (a) approval by the county board of education, at the board's discretion, or (b) filing a notice of intent with annual academic assessment. |
|---|---|
| Assessment — detail | Under the notice-of-intent option, an annual academic assessment (standardized test, certified-teacher portfolio review, or another approved means) must be obtained and retained; under the board-approval option, assessment is at the board's discretion. (W. Va. Code § 18-8-1(c)) |
| Required subjects | At the discretion of the school board |
| Parent qualifications | required_see_detail |
Statutory source
W. Va. Code § 18-8-1(c)(1)
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Not legal advice. This page summarizes West Virginia law in plain English, verified as of June 2026 against the cited statutes. Legislatures amend homeschool law (most changes take effect July 1) — confirm current requirements with the state department of education or a licensed attorney before acting. How we verify this.