Homeschooling
Laws change—always check your state’s official site.
Homeschooling is a form of private, parent-directed education for children who are subject to state’s compulsory school attendance laws. If you choose to homeschool, you take responsibility for providing regular, thorough instruction for your child in core subject areas.
Homeschooling Requirements in Columbia (DC)
- Notice of Intent to homeschool filed with your local education agency (OSSE); submit before starting and annually by Aug 15 thereafter.
- Parent must meet qualification (HS diploma/equivalent or waiver).
- Teach the following subjects thoroughly and regularly during the school year: language arts, math, science, social studies, art, music, health, PE.
- Maintain portfolio/records; OSSE may request review.
- If leaving public school, formally withdraw after OSSE verifies your NOI.
DC Portfolio / Records
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- Keep work samples, instructional materials, assessments, reading logs showing regular instruction and progress across required subjects.
- Provide to OSSE if requested.
Homeschooling Requirements in Maryland (MD)
- File Home Instruction Notification with your local superintendent 15 days before starting; verify annually if continuing.
- Provide “regular, thorough instruction” in: English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, Health, PE.
- Portfolio review by district/supervising entity up to 3×/year (typically twice).
MD Portfolio / Records
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- Keep a portfolio with: instructional materials (texts, plans, reading lists), student work samples (worksheets, writing, projects, tests), and evidence of progress across all required subjects.
- If a review finds deficiencies, you’ll receive written notice and have 30 days to correct.
Homeschooling Requirements in Virginia (VA)
- Submit Notice of Intent (NOI) to your local division superintendent by Aug 15 each year (or ASAP if starting mid-year). Include parent qualification and list of subjects.
- Acceptable parent qualification (one of): HS diploma; teacher licensure; curriculum/provider enrollment; or other evidence of ability to provide adequate education (per Code §22.1-254.1).
- Provide instruction during the period public schools are in session (~180 days/990 hours).
- Annual evidence of progress due by Aug 1 (standardized test, evaluator letter, or recognized transcripts).
- Alternatives: Certified Tutor route or Religious Exemption (different rules).
VA Portfolio / Records
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- Keep work samples, subject lists, assessments/test results, evaluator letters, and materials documenting instruction/time.
- Maintain documents needed for the Aug 1 progress submission.
Legal Requirements
Here are key legal requirements to be aware of when homeschooling:
Collapsible content
Compulsory School Age
Children generally must be in school (public, private, or homeschool) from age 5 through at least age 16–18 depending on the state. Homeschooling is recognized as a valid alternative if all requirements are met.
Notification to the State or Local District
Before starting, parents must formally notify their local school district or state education office of their intent to homeschool.
- In Maryland, this is called a Home Instruction Notification Form.
- In DC, families file a Notice of Intent (NOI) with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE).
- In Virginia, a Notice of Intent (NOI) is submitted to the local division superintendent.
This notification must usually be filed before beginning instruction and is renewed annually.
Parent/Teacher Qualifications
Parents are expected to be capable of providing instruction.
- In Maryland, no diploma is required, but instruction must be “regular and thorough.”
- In DC, parents must hold at least a high school diploma or equivalent (or request a waiver).
- In Virginia, parents must meet one of several qualification options (such as having a diploma, teacher licensure, enrolling in an approved program, or showing ability to teach).
Curriculum and Subjects
All three areas require parents to provide broad, well-rounded instruction. Families must cover at least:
- English/Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Arts, Music, Health, and Physical Education (specifically named in MD and DC).
Instruction Time
Homeschooling must be regular and thorough.
- Maryland and DC do not set a specific number of hours or days but expect consistent teaching across the year.
- Virginia requires that instruction occur during the period public schools are in session (about 180 days or 990 hours).
Record Keeping and Portfolio Reviews
Parents are required to maintain documentation of their child’s learning. This may include:
- Work samples
- Reading lists or lesson plans
- Tests, projects, or progress reports
- Instructional materials
- In Maryland, portfolios may be reviewed by the district up to three times per year.
- In DC, OSSE may request to review records.
- In Virginia, families must submit evidence of academic progress each year (such as test scores or evaluator reports).
Alternatives and Options
- Umbrella Programs (MD): Families may choose to homeschool under a church-exempt school or correspondence program instead of direct district review.
- Certified Tutor or Religious Exemption (VA): Families may homeschool if a licensed tutor is providing instruction, or claim exemption based on religious conviction.
- Formal Withdrawal (DC): Families leaving public school must officially withdraw once NOI is accepted.
👉 In short: Across Maryland, DC, and Virginia, homeschooling requires formal notification, broad subject coverage, consistent instruction, and record keeping. The main differences are in parent qualifications (stricter in DC/VA) and accountability (portfolio reviews in MD, annual progress submission in VA, review on request in DC).