Getting Started

As with any new undertaking, the first and most important thing to do is pray! Ask the Lord for wisdom and guidance.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach.... James 1:5

1. The Law.

Before you begin home schooling, you need to determine which option under the Virginia law, you will be using. Details of the Virginia Law may be found at www.heav.org.

2. Notification.

Once you have decided which option you will be using, you will need to turn in a notice of intent to provide home instruction or a letter of intent (if using option IV of the home school statute of the Virginia Code) by August 15th of the school year you will be teaching, to your local school district.

If you are beginning to home school your child in midyear or have recently moved to the area after these deadlines, you have 30 days to comply with the Virginia code.

A letter of intent to home school is not required for religious exemption. If you choose religious exemption, we recommend HSLDA membership, although whatever option you choose, it is a good idea to be a member. HSLDA is the Home School Legal Defense Association, and provides legal assistance for free to members, as well as providing information about what is happening in home school law in the legislature and in the courts.

3. Testing.

Except for those who will be home teaching for the first time this year, or have just moved to the Virginia this year, standardized test scores from either the Iowa Basic, Stanford, or California Achievement test need to be turned in to the Director of Pupil Personnel to be kept on file, by August 1st of the coming school year. Those who are just beginning to teach in Virginia this school year will need to have their child tested by late spring, in order to receive your test scores in time to turn in to the office.

Your child may take the standardized tests with:

A. Public schools (free). Call the guidance office of your local school for information.

B. BJU Press http://www.bjup.com/testing/home.html (to be administered by a certified tester). The cost is approx. $33.00 per student.

C. L.I.F.E. offers group testing (Stanford test). Contact Judy Trudeau @439-1455/ or email trudeaus@erols.com for application form.

D. California Achievement Test from Seton Home Study School (located on Progress Ave off Shenandoah Shores Rd. in Front Royal). They charge about $20.00 per test which you administer at home. They grade them for you, and send you the results. Seton’s phone # is: (540)636-9990.

Note: Test scores are not required for religious exemption.

4. Choosing Curriculum

There are many choices of curriculum as there are about as many ways to home school as their are families! If you are using a correspondence course, you will be exclusively using the supplies provided by that school. If you are not using a correspondence course, the selection and expense will vary with your child.s needs and learning style.

If you are using option IV of the Virginia Code to home school, you need to be aware of the Standards of Learning for Virginia Schools and make sure that your areas of study are in agreement. You may look at these standards at http://www.pen.k12.va.us/go/Sols/home.shtml

For any other option, you have the freedom to choose any style or publisher. Some publisher phone numbers and web sites are listed on the links page. Or, check your local public library or L.I.F.E. library for curriculum, teachers editions, supplies, and catalogs of suppliers, before you make any purchases!

Home School Conferences are also a good source for materials, since you may preview the books before buying them. HEARTH (Front Royal support group) has an annual Conference in April, which would provide a good opportunity for this. HEAV has their annual Conference in June at the Marriott in Richmond.

Other home school parents are a valuable source of information about what works and what doesn’t. Be sure to plug in to a support group (such as L.I.F.E.) to meet friends and learn all you can.

5. Make a plan, and work the plan.

Keep records of your child’s progress. Samples of their best work is recommended, along with any tests they take. Photographs of artistic creations or inventions add to the portfolio and make it a pleasant remembrance book for the year.