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West Virginia Homeschool Withdrawal Letter: How to Leave Public School
Withdrawing your child from public school to start homeschooling is straightforward in West Virginia. You don’t need permission from the school—just official notification and a request for records. This guide provides everything you need: a withdrawal letter template, timing, and what to request before you leave.
Key Takeaways
- Notify school in writing (withdrawal letter)
- File Notice of Intent on or before withdrawal date (see West virginia/west virginia notice of intent to homeschool template filing guide)
- Request student records before or at withdrawal
- Timeline: Plan for 1-2 weeks of notice to the school
- School cannot deny withdrawal
- Request: Transcripts, test scores, IEP/504 (if applicable), immunization records
When to Withdraw
Best timing options:
– End of school year (June)—cleanest transition, no mid-year paperwork
– After summer break (August/early September)—natural transition point
– Mid-year (if you need to start immediately)—requires more paperwork
Give notice:
– At least 1-2 weeks before withdrawal date
– File Notice of Intent on or before the same date
Withdrawal Letter Template
Use this letter as a template. Personalize with your child’s name, school, and withdrawal date.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone]
[Your Email]
[Date]
[Principal Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
Re: Student Withdrawal from Public School — Notice of Home Instruction
Dear [Principal Name]:
I am writing to formally notify you of the withdrawal of my child,
[Child's Full Legal Name], from [School Name], effective [Withdrawal Date].
My child will receive home instruction under the Notice of Intent to Homeschool
option in West Virginia Code § 18-8-1(c)(2). I have filed (or am filing concurrently)
a Notice of Intent with the [County Name] County Superintendent's office.
Effective [Withdrawal Date], [Child's Name] will no longer be enrolled in
[School Name]. I request that [he/she/they] be removed from all school rolls,
attendance records, and enrollment systems.
Please provide the following records prior to the withdrawal date:
Required Documents:
☐ Complete transcript (all grades to date)
☐ Standardized test scores (most recent)
☐ Report cards (current and previous years)
☐ Attendance records
☐ Immunization/health records
☐ Any special education records (IEP/504 if applicable)
☐ Disciplinary records
☐ Assessment results from school-administered tests
Optional but Recommended:
☐ Copy of any state assessments (WVGPA, MAP, SMART assessments, etc.)
☐ Curriculum guides for grades completed
☐ Contact information for teachers (if I want to request course descriptions)
Please confirm receipt of this letter and provide the requested records by
[Requested Date].
I can be reached at [Phone] or [Email] if you have questions.
Sincerely,
[Parent/Guardian Signature]
[Parent/Guardian Printed Name]
---
Enclosure: Copy of filed Notice of Intent (if already filed)
---
Keep a copy for your records.
How to Submit the Withdrawal Letter
Option 1: Hand Deliver (best—get stamped receipt)
– Bring letter to principal’s office or administrative office
– Ask to speak with the principal or secretary
– Request a stamped copy for your records
– Takes 10 minutes
Option 2: Email
– Email to principal’s office email address
– CC: principal and counselor
– Request read receipt or confirmation
– Keep email for records
Option 3: Mail
– Send certified mail (optional but provides proof of delivery)
– Regular mail with signature required
– Keep tracking number
– Takes 5-10 business days
Best practice: Hand-deliver if possible. Direct conversation with principal is fastest and avoids communication delays.
Records to Request
Request these items before withdrawal:
Essential Records (Always Request)
-
Transcript
– Complete grade history
– All grades and credits (for high school)
– Shows courses taken and grades earned
– Use to build homeschool transcripts -
Standardized Test Scores
– State assessments (if taken)
– Standardized achievement test results
– Percentile rankings
– Use as baseline for homeschool assessment -
Report Cards
– Current year and previous years
– Shows grading pattern and pace
– Helpful for understanding strengths/weaknesses -
Attendance Records
– Shows patterns
– Note any attendance issues -
Immunization/Health Records
– Required if transferring schools
– Also useful for your records
Conditional Records (Request If Applicable)
-
Special Education Records (IEP)
– If child has IEP: request full special education file
– Includes evaluation results, IEP document, progress reports
– Important for understanding needs and providing equivalent services at home -
504 Plan
– If child has 504 accommodation plan
– Document accommodations you’ve been providing
– Consider replicating at home if needed -
Disciplinary Records
– If there were behavioral issues
– Helps you understand context if child is anxious about transition -
State Assessment Results
– WVGPA (if administered)
– MAP (Measure of Academic Progress)
– Other state-specific assessments
Withdrawal Checklist
2-4 Weeks Before Withdrawal:
– [ ] Prepare withdrawal letter
– [ ] Plan Notice of Intent filing
– [ ] Identify withdrawal date
1 Week Before Withdrawal:
– [ ] Deliver/mail withdrawal letter to principal’s office
– [ ] Request student records
– [ ] File Notice of Intent (on or before withdrawal date)
– [ ] Check school’s response email/receipt
Withdrawal Date:
– [ ] Pick up records from school office
– [ ] Confirm child is off school roster
– [ ] Begin homeschool instruction
After Withdrawal:
– [ ] Organize records in three-year file
– [ ] File Notice of Intent confirmation with records
– [ ] Keep email confirmations and receipts
– [ ] Start curriculum
What Happens After Withdrawal
You’ll receive:
– Student records (may take 3-5 business days)
– Transcript
– Test scores
– Copies of assessments
Child’s record:
– School removes child from active enrollment
– Attendance obligation ends
– Public school no longer responsible for instruction
– You (parent) become fully responsible
Important note: If your child was receiving special education services (IEP), withdrawal means those services stop. You can:
– Request Child Find evaluation from your school district (they must evaluate if requested)
– Use Hope Scholarship funds to pay for private services
– Provide services yourself based on the IEP recommendations
– Re-enroll in public school if you need services reinstated
Mid-Year Withdrawal Timing
If you’re withdrawing mid-year:
Best case: End of grading period (before report card)—less disruption
Worst case: Right before end-of-year testing—but still allowed
For high school: Withdraw before final grades to avoid incomplete courses on transcript. If already mid-semester, withdraw anyway and request transcript showing status of courses (in progress vs. completed).
Special Situations
What if the school asks questions?
– You don’t need to justify homeschooling
– Just confirm: “I’m providing home instruction under WV Code § 18-8-1(c)(2)”
– Refer to state law if they push back
– Schools can’t deny withdrawal
What if they say they need parent-teacher conference first?
– You can attend if you want (optional)
– Doesn’t delay withdrawal
– You can withdraw in writing without meeting
What if child is mid-IEP year?
– Withdraw anyway
– Request complete IEP file
– School services stop
– You’ll use Hope Scholarship (if eligible) or private services
What if grades/tests are incomplete?
– Request what exists
– They provide transcript showing incomplete courses
– You complete at home if needed
– Document your completion in homeschool records
Documentation to Keep
After withdrawal, keep in your homeschool file:
- Withdrawal letter (copy you sent)
- School’s confirmation (email or receipt)
- Complete transcript
- All test scores and assessment results
- Report cards
- IEP/504 if applicable
- Any other school documents received
Keep for: At least while homeschooling; archive after; may need later for college applications or transcript verification.
The Bottom Line
Withdrawing from public school is simple: notify in writing, file Notice of Intent, request records. The school cannot deny withdrawal or require conference/approval. You’re exercising your legal right to home educate under West Virginia law.
The key is planning ahead and getting your records before you leave. Once you have those documents, you have what you need to build your homeschool transcript, understand your child’s progress, and continue education at home smoothly.
After withdrawal, the responsibility for your child’s education is entirely yours. Frame this as an exciting transition, not a loss, and your child will too.