Catholic Homeschooling in Virginia
How to Homeschool in Virginia
In Virginia, there are four ways to comply with the laws regulating home education in the state:
Option 1: Homeschool under the home instruction option
Under this option, there are teacher qualification requirements. You will file an annual notice of intent and conduct annual testing or evaluation results.
Option 2: Homeschool with a religious exemption
This option requires sending a religious exemption letter each year.
Option 3: Homeschool with a certified teacher
This option is for a parent who holds a current Virginia teacher license.
Option 4: Homeschool under the private school option
This option allows private school students to complete all their work at home.
Virginia Department of Education Home School Information
This webpage offers information about beginning homeschooling in Virginia, notice of intent, evidence of progress, and resources.
How to Comply with Virginia’s Homeschool Law
How to Withdraw Your Child from School in Virginia
Special Education Provisions for Virginia
The Importance of Recordkeeping in Virginia
Lobbying & Advocacy Organizations
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
HSLDA is the nation’s largest homeschool advocacy organization. They protect the rights of homeschoolers in court, advocate for homeschool freedom in state legislatures, and work to advance homeschooling in the public arena.
Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV)
Home Educators Association of Virginia is a member-supported, statewide, 501(c)3 non-profit homeschool association. Since 1983, HEAV has successfully worked to promote and protect home education in Virginia by working with the Department of Education and legislators, having a presence during the General Assembly sessions, and providing up-to-date information to homeschooling families, the media, and officials.
VaHomeschoolers – The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers
The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers (VaHomeschoolers) is an independent, non-profit, member-driven, statewide organization. They provide homeschooling support to members, along with accurate information about homeschooling to Virginia’s families, school divisions, legislators and policymakers, the media, and the community at large.
Catholic Homeschool Support Groups
CHFofMAGAW – Catholic Homeschooling Families of Manassas and Gainesville and Warrenton
Manassas, Gainesville, Warrenton, Virginia
This group connects the members of the Catholic homeschool groups, MARCH, HTH, SJHE, and others in Virginia. It is an open forum for all topics related to Catholic homeschooling families. They offer events, curriculum advice, and other activities for member families.
CHRSM Catholic Homeschool Ministry
Purcellville, VA
The Catholic Homeschool Resource and Support Ministry (CHRSM) supports St. Francis de Sales Church homeschooling families in their calling to educate their children at home. They offer classes, friendship, and celebrations of the liturgical calendar. They meet twice week at St. Francis de Sales parish center in Purcellville.
De Novo Homeschooling Network – Good Shepherd Catholic Homeschool Group
Alexandria, VA
The De Novo Homeschooling Network provides opportunities for families to gather for encouragement, fellowship, and children’s activities throughout the year. Activities include weekly park day, monthly family potlucks, end of year retreat, mom’s nights out, field trips, nature club, small group and PE classes, service projects, liturgical and feast day celebrations, and more.
Holy Spirit Catholic Homeschool Group
Annandale, VA
This Catholic homeschool group serves families at Holy Spirit Catholic Church and the surrounding area. Get information about homeschooling in Virginia and meet other home educating families in the area.
Holy Trinity Homeschoolers (HTH)
Gainesville, VA
Holy Trinity Homeschoolers supports Catholic families at Holy Trinity Parish in Gainesville and the surrounding area. They offer various activities, including classes, clubs, an elementary co-op, feast day events, and more. HTH Facebook group.
Hope Catholic Homeschool Community
Norfolk, VA
This Catholic homeschool support group meets at Holy Trinity Church in Norfolk. They offer social and educational opportunities for children. They meet once a week for classes, including science, music, memory work, literature, art, and theology.
Lumen Christi Catholic Homeschool Group
Woodbridge, Eastern Prince William County, VA
Lumen Christi homeschool group provides homeschool enrichment activities and support to families in Eastern Prince William County and the Woodbridge area. This is an all-volunteer group of families who plan events and activities for member families through various clubs, liturgical celebrations, and more. Activities include drama club, nature study, chess club, PE day, teen events, and feast day celebrations.
MARCH: Manassas Area Roman Catholic Homeschoolers
Manassas, VA
This is a Catholic homeschool group in the Manassas area that works to support home educating families and enrich their homeschool journeys through community building and events.
Mayflower Homeschoolers
Counties: Culpeper, Fairfax, Fauquier, Frederick, Hanover, Henrico, Loudoun, Madison, Prince William, Rappahannock, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Warren, Westmoreland, and the Greater Richmond Area
Mayflower Homeschoolers is a Roman Catholic independent homeschool support group. They offer spiritual and temporal support to families who homeschool with a weekly mix of spiritual, social, and academic activities for all ages during the school year, plus monthly family activities in the summer. Activities include field trips, PE Days, teen dances, pilgrimages, academic fairs, Baccalaureate Mass, moms’ nights out, couples nights, and service projects.
New River Valley Catholic Homeschool Group
New River Valley, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford, VA
New River Valley Catholic homeschool group offers an in-person support group and an email forum to share information, ask questions, schedule events and support each other.
Northern Virginia Area Catholic Homeschooling Moms
Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia Area Catholic Homeschoolers is a group for homeschooling mothers in the Northern Virginia area. They support each other and plan activities and events for member families.
Our Lady of Hope Homeschool Group
Potomac Falls, VA
The OLOH homeschool group’s mission is to support homeschooling parishioners at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Potomac Falls with Catholic fellowship, advice, encouragement, and resources.
Richmond Area Catholic Home Schoolers
Richmond, VA
This is a community of Catholic homeschooling families in the Richmond are. They offer social activities, events, and information sharing.
Sacred Heart Homeschoolers
Winchester, VA
Sacred Heart Homeschoolers provides a Catholic social and educational environment for homeschooling families by supporting each other spiritually, socially, and academically.
St. Bede Catholic Parish Homeschoolers of Williamsburg, VA
Williamsburg, VA
This homeschool support group includes families at St. Bede Catholic Church parish and the surrounding area.
St. John’s Home Educators
Warrenton, Fauquier County, VA
This is a small community of Catholic home educators in Fauquier County, Virginia. They sponsor several clubs, including SASH, Sports and Spiritual Health. Group events include dances, liturgical year celebrations, graduation mass, family dinners, and more. Groups.io message board.
St. Johns SHELL (Supporting Home Education and Love of Learning)
Front Royal, VA
St. Johns SHELL (Supporting Home Education and Love of Learning) is a support group for the homeschooling families of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Front Royal, VA.
St. John the Apostle Homeschool Ministry
Leesburg, VA, Loudoun, Northern Virginia
This ministry supports parish families looking to find out more about homeschooling and helps form community with each other as well as the wider Catholic homeschooling community in Loudoun and Northern Virginia. They offer liturgical and feast day events, social activities, field days, poetry recitation days, science fairs, and more.
St. John the Beloved Homeschool Support Group
McLean, VA
This support group is based at St. John the Beloved Church in McLean. They offer socialization opportunities, information, and support for homeschooling families.
St. Raymond Home School Group
Springfield, Fairfax County, VA
St. Raymond’s Homeschool Group is a volunteer-led ministry under the auspices of St. Raymond of Penafort Catholic Church in Springfield. They offer twice-monthly club days and other social gatherings, including a monthly potluck, monthly teacher support group, a bimonthly couples’ night, game club, book clubs, preschool club, and drama.
St. Rita Catholic Homeschool Group
Alexandria, VA
The Saint Rita homeschool group supports homeschooling families in the parish and surrounding areas. They offer Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, social activities, and extracurricular activities in conjunction with Saint Rita School.
Catholic Homeschool Co-ops
Assisi Bridge Co-op
Ashburn, VA
This co-op serves families in the Ashburn area of Virginia. They offer classes and educational and social activities.
CHRSM Catholic Homeschool Ministry
Purcellville, VA
The Catholic Homeschool Resource and Support Ministry (CHRSM) supports St. Francis de Sales Church homeschooling families in their calling to educate their children at home. They offer classes, friendship, and celebrations of the liturgical calendar. This homeschool co-op provides opportunities for the homeschooling parent to get support and encouragement. They offer classes for ages 0-18 and meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Parish Center of Saint Francis de Sales Church in Purcellville.
Classically Catholic Memory Co-op
Bedford and Staunton, VA
Classically Catholic Memory is a memory work program that is both Catholic and classical in nature. It is designed for children ages 5 through 12, and each year of the program provides 18 weeks of memory work in each subject. CCM is run as a co-op model.
Holy Trinity Homeschoolers (HTH)
Gainesville, VA
Holy Trinity Homeschoolers supports Catholic families at Holy Trinity Parish in Gainesville and the surrounding area. They offer various activities, including classes, clubs, an elementary co-op, feast day events, and more. HTH Facebook group.
Hope Catholic Homeschool Community
Norfolk, VA
This Catholic homeschool support group meets at Holy Trinity Church in Norfolk. They offer social and educational opportunities for children. They meet once a week for classes, including science, music, memory work, literature, art, and theology.
Padre Pio Academy
Front Royal, VA
Padre Pio Academy is a cooperative-style supplemental program for homeschooling families of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Front Royal, VA. They meet three days a week during the academic year and provide a basic framework to keep homeschooling students on track in a low pressure classroom setting. Classes offered include language arts, math, history, science, religion, and more.
Roanoke Valley Catholic Homeschool Co-op
Roanoke Valley, VA
This co-op serves Catholic homeschool families in the Roanoke Valley area.
Skye Chase Academy
Alexandria, VA
Skye Chase Academy is an enrichment program for De Novo homeschooling families at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Alexandria. They meet once a week for mother’s support and children’s classes. Classes include history, Latin, math, science, Great Books, IEW, PE, and more.
Warrenton Schoolhouse
Warrenton/Vint Hill, VA
Warrenton Schoolhouse is a co-op homeschool group offering classes for preschool – 12th grade. Subjects include classical Catholic memory program, history, art, science, language arts, composition, and other electives.
Do you know of any Catholic homeschool co-ops near you? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Hybrid Programs & Homeschool Academies
Catholic Schoolhouse
Richmond, VA
Catholic Schoolhouse is a supplemental program designed to help homeschool families enrich their educational experience through a flexible approach to learning inspired by classical elements presented in a structure environment. They serve students in grades K-8 and meet once a week during the school year.
Holy Infant Collective and Paideia Hybrid School
Orange, VA
Holy Infant Collective is a hybrid homeschool program. They offer two days on-site in an academic environment that covers the bulk of instruction. Parents supervise work at home and complete a math curriculum of their choice. The curriculum is classically inspired. Participants also enjoy excursions, music, service opportunities, craftsman skills, and exercise. They meet at St. Isidore the Farmer Catholic Church in Orange, VA.
NOVA Catholic Homeschool (NCHS)
Northern Virginia
NOVA Catholic Homeschool (NCHS) has been offering high quality, college preparatory courses for homeschooling families since 2014. High school students and mature 8th graders ready for high school level work are eligible to register for courses. They meet once weekly with various classes scheduled throughout the day. They also offer some live online and hybrid classes (mix of in-person and live online). Students can enroll in a single course or several. Courses include math, science, fine arts, literature, composition, history, personal finance, computer science, and more.
Padre Pio Academy
Front Royal, VA
Padre Pio Academy is a cooperative-style supplemental program for homeschooling families of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Front Royal, VA. They meet three days a week during the academic year and provide a basic framework to keep homeschooling students on track in a low pressure classroom setting. Classes offered include language arts, math, history, science, religion, and more.
Skye Chase Academy
Alexandria, VA
Skye Chase Academy is an enrichment program for De Novo homeschooling families at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Alexandria. They meets once a week for mother’s support and children’s classes. Classes include history, Latin, math, science, Great Books, IEW, PE, and more.
St. John Bosco School
Sterling, VA
Saint John Bosco School is a hybrid co-educational school for grades 7th through 12th. Classes are offered three days a week, with the remaining two days used for learning at home. Part traditional school, part homeschool, the hybrid environment keeps the family as the center of influence while allowing students to establish and grow in a Catholic community. The learning day includes classes and sports and extracurriculars, plus field trips, student government, and drama performances.
Do you know of any Catholic hybrid homeschool programs or homeschool academies near you? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Catholic Homeschool Conferences
The 2024 Catholic Homeschool Conference
Virtual Conference
June 7-8, 2024
Long Island Homeschool Conference
St. Roccos Pl, Glen Cove, NY
2024 Date TBD
This is the first annual Long Island Homeschool Conference for Catholic families. Listen to speakers, hear special panels, browse the vendors, and find new homeschool materials and curriculum at the book swap! Featured speakers include Alice Gunther, Annabelle Moseley, Jessica Schaefer, and Margaret Gallipeau.
Local Classes & Programs for Homeschoolers
Do you know of any great local classes or programs for Catholic homeschoolers? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Sports for Homeschoolers
Public School Access for Homeschoolers in Virginia
In Virginia, school boards have the option of allowing homeschool students to take classes. Contact your local school board for information on sports and extracurricular activities.
Do you know of any great sports programs for Catholic homeschoolers? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Shrines & Pilgrimages in Virginia
Do you know of any Catholic pilgrimage sites or shrines that would be perfect for a homeschool field trip? Let us know by filling out our Resource Submission Form, and we’ll add it here.
Field Trips in Virginia
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