How to withdraw your child from public school and homeschool in West Virginia

Step by step

1. Step 1. Know what West Virginia requires to start

   The parent presents a notice of intent to provide home instruction to the county superintendent or county board, along with evidence of a high school diploma or equivalent for the instructor. This is notice under 18-8-1(c)(2), though the superintendent may ask the circuit court for an order denying home instruction on probable cause, and 18-8-1(c)(1) offers a separate county board approval route.

2. Step 2. Leave the school the right way

   The statute is silent on a separate school withdrawal letter, exit meeting or waiting period. If the child is enrolled in public school, the notice of intent must be given on or before the date home instruction begins, and informing the school in writing is common courtesy.

3. Step 3. Watch the deadlines

   For a child in public school, the notice is due on or before the day home instruction begins; no annual renewal of the notice is stated. The parent must notify the superintendent when instruction ends, and file a new notice with the new county's superintendent after moving counties.

4. Step 4. Ask for your child’s records

   Under FERPA (34 CFR 99.10) a parent may inspect and request a copy of the child's education records, and the school must respond within 45 days. A West Virginia-specific records right on withdrawal was not found in primary sources.

5. Step 5. If your child has an IEP or a 504 plan

   The statute directs the state board to develop home schooling guidelines for special education students, including alternative assessment measures. Under 34 CFR 300.300(b)(4) a parent may revoke consent to special education services in writing, which ends those services after prior written notice from the district.

Before you pull your child out

A letter you can fill in

Fill in the boxes and copy the letter. It is built from what we found above for West Virginia: the items West Virginia asks to be included are listed in it. The state also has an official form, so send that with the letter. Check it against the state office before you send it.

[today's date]

To: The county superintendent of schools of the county where I live [name and address]

Re: Notice of intent to home school, [child's full name]

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am the parent of [child's full name], born [date of birth], who is currently enrolled in grade [grade] at [name of current school]. Under W. Va. Code 18-8-1(c), I am notifying you that I will be providing a home education program for my child beginning [start date].

West Virginia asks that this notice include the following (complete or confirm each one):
- Name, address and age of each child of compulsory school age [fill in]
- Assurance of instruction in reading, language, mathematics, science and social studies [fill in]
- Assurance that the child will be assessed annually [fill in]

I am also submitting the state form, Homeschool Letter of Intent (West Virginia Department of Education), with this letter.

Please also treat this letter as my notice that my child is withdrawn from [name of current school] effective [start date].

I also request a copy of my child's education records, including the cumulative file, attendance and any testing records. Please send them to the address below.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

[your name]
[your address]

Who to ask in West Virginia

West Virginia Department of Education, homeschool page, last checked October 2026.

A plain-language summary of public sources, not legal advice. Laws and forms change, so confirm the current rules with the state office before you send anything.

Questions