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Virginia Homeschool Curriculum Requirements by Subject
If you’re starting homeschool in Virginia, you might wonder: “What subjects do I have to teach?” The good news is that Virginia’s curriculum requirements are refreshingly flexible. Unlike some states with mandated subjects or detailed curriculum standards, Virginia takes a minimal-regulation approach that gives parents significant freedom in curriculum design.
Key Takeaways
- Virginia law does NOT mandate specific subjects—you have complete freedom to choose
- Your Notice of Intent requires a “curriculum description” (a list of subjects you’ll teach), but no specific subjects are mandated
- Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) do NOT apply to homeschoolers—you’re not required to follow them
- No minimum hours per subject, no grade-level requirements, and no requirement to follow public school scope and sequence
- Your curriculum must result in “adequate educational progress” measured by annual evidence of progress (test scores or evaluator letter)
What Virginia Law Actually Says About Curriculum
Under Virginia Code § 22.1-254.1, your home instruction program must include:
- A curriculum description — This means listing the subjects you’ll teach
- Annual instruction — 180 days or 990 hours per year
- Evidence of academic progress — Annual evaluation showing adequate progress
That’s it. Virginia law is silent on which subjects, how to teach them, or what standards to follow.
Does Virginia Require Specific Subjects?
Short answer: No.
Virginia law lists NO mandatory subjects for homeschoolers. You have complete freedom to design your curriculum around your family’s priorities, your child’s interests, and your educational philosophy.
Comparison: Public School vs Homeschool
Virginia public schools follow Standards of Learning (SOL) with mandated subjects like English, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education, and fine arts.
Virginia homeschools have no such requirements. You choose what to teach.
What Most Virginia Families Teach
While not required, most homeschool families teach core academic subjects because:
- They’re necessary for college preparation
- Standardized tests (if used for annual evaluation) cover core subjects
- It’s expected for “adequate educational progress”
Common Core Subjects
Language Arts
– Reading/literature
– Writing
– Grammar/mechanics
– Spelling
– Public speaking (optional)
Mathematics
– Arithmetic/calculation
– Problem-solving
– Algebra (secondary)
– Geometry (secondary)
Science
– General science or integrated science (elementary)
– Biology, chemistry, physics, earth science (secondary)
– Lab work or hands-on learning (recommended)
Social Studies
– History (often Virginia and U.S. history)
– Geography
– Civics/government
– Economics (often high school)
Physical Education
– While not legally required by Virginia homeschool law, PE is commonly taught and often part of “adequate progress” expectation
Optional but Common Subjects
- Art/fine arts
- Music
- Foreign language
- Career/technology education
- STEM/electives
Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) — Do They Apply?
No. Virginia’s Standards of Learning are designed for public schools. Homeschoolers are not required to follow SOL, teach SOL content, or ensure your child meets SOL benchmarks.
This means you can:
- Skip topics that SOL covers if you prefer
- Teach topics not in SOL
- Use your own scope and sequence
- Teach at a different pace than public school
- Use curriculum that doesn’t align with Virginia standards
However: If you choose to take a standardized test for your annual evaluation, the test will assess common content (reading, math, science, social studies) that overlaps with SOL—but that’s your choice of evaluation method, not a curriculum requirement.
Curriculum Description on Notice of Intent
When you file your annual Notice of Intent, you’ll need to provide a “curriculum description.” This is simply a list of subjects you plan to teach.
Example Curriculum Description
Mathematics, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Art, Music
That’s sufficient. You don’t need to:
– List specific programs or publishers
– Describe your teaching methods
– Detail learning objectives
– Specify textbooks or materials
– Align with Virginia standards
Just list the subjects.
For High School
High school curriculum descriptions can be more detailed:
English 1, English 2, English 3, English 4; Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2; Biology, Chemistry; World History, U.S. History, Government; Electives: Economics, Psychology
This shows subject coverage by year, which is helpful for transcript building and college applications, but it’s still not required by Virginia law.
Grade-Level Flexibility
Virginia homeschool law does not mandate grade-level curriculum. You can:
- Teach mixed grades together (multi-age instruction)
- Have a child advance ahead in strong subjects
- Allow slower progression in challenging areas
- Teach subjects in any order
Your child doesn’t need to complete “3rd grade math” in 3rd grade. Virginia only cares about annual progress, not grade-level alignment.
Secular vs Religious Curriculum
Virginia homeschool law does not regulate whether curriculum is secular or religious. You can choose:
- Secular curriculum (Evolution-based science, secular history, non-religious literature)
- Religious curriculum (Biblical worldview, creationism, faith-integrated subjects)
- Blended approach (secular academics with religious integration)
Your choice. Virginia does not regulate the philosophical or religious content of homeschool curriculum.
Special Education & Adapted Curriculum
If your child has special needs or is twice-exceptional (gifted + learning difference), you can adapt curriculum as needed:
- Modified pacing or difficulty level
- Alternative assessment methods
- Multi-sensory or specialized approaches
- Specialized curriculum for learning disabilities
Annual Progress as the Real “Requirement”
The actual curriculum requirement in Virginia isn’t what you teach—it’s that you provide evidence of adequate annual progress.
Your curriculum must result in measurable learning. Virginia accepts four types of evidence:
- Standardized test — Composite score at 23rd percentile or above
- Evaluator letter — From licensed teacher or master’s degree holder confirming adequate progress
- College/community college transcript — Showing course completion
- Other evidence — Approved by your superintendent
This means your curriculum choice matters only insofar as it produces learning outcomes your child can demonstrate.
Religious Exemption & Curriculum
Families using Virginia’s religious exemption option (§ 22.1-254) have even more freedom:
- No curriculum requirements at all
- No testing or evaluation
- Complete autonomy over all educational choices
- No curriculum description required
This path requires filing a religious exemption request with your school board instead of following standard home instruction procedures.
Tips for Curriculum Planning in Virginia
- Start broad — Identify core subjects (math, language arts, science, social studies, PE)
- Customize — Add electives, enrichment, or specialized subjects based on your child’s interests
- Document your philosophy — Keep notes on why you chose your curriculum for college applications later
- Choose your evaluation method early — If using standardized testing, ensure your curriculum covers tested content (reading, math, science)
- Build your curriculum description — Use this to write a concise subject list for your NOI
FAQ
Q: Does my Virginia homeschool curriculum have to match public school?
A: No. You don’t have to follow Virginia SOL or public school curriculum at all. Your curriculum is entirely your choice.
Q: Am I required to teach physical education?
A: Not legally. However, it’s considered a core component of “adequate education,” so including it is advisable.
Q: Can I teach only my child’s favorite subjects and skip others?
A: Legally, you can structure your curriculum however you want. However, evaluators will expect a reasonably well-rounded education covering core academics for “adequate progress.”
Q: What if my child falls behind in a subject?
A: Virginia’s law focuses on annual progress, not specific grade-level benchmarks. If progress is adequate overall, being behind in one subject isn’t noncompliance.
Q: Do I need to teach a foreign language?
A: Not required by Virginia homeschool law. However, it’s recommended for college-bound students and many families include it.
Q: Can I use curriculum from another state?
A: Yes. Virginia doesn’t restrict where your curriculum comes from. You can use programs designed for any state or country.
Q: Does my curriculum need approval from the school superintendent?
A: No. You describe your curriculum on your Notice of Intent, and the superintendent approves your NOI—not your specific curriculum choices. As long as your curriculum exists and produces progress, it’s acceptable.