VA homeschoolers talk to me!

[tatangel19]

I have been wanting to homeschool for a looong time, and I am finally in a position to do so. We are in NoVa. I wanted to know who I had to contact, what books and such you use, EVERYTHING! Can you help me, please?

[tatangel19]

No one homeschools in Virginia? I sure could use some help..

[tbone]

We're not in NoVa, but in general in Va, you have to send a letter to your local school board stating that you will be homeschooling. It's commonly called an NOI, Notice of Intent. It's not mandatory to do this until a child is 6, BUT, you must notify them if you have 5 yr old that will not be attending K. For a 5 yr old, you can send in a NOI to homeschool K or a simple letter stating your child is not ready for Kindy so they will not be going. When they are 6, you decide if you NOI will be for K or 1st.

My boy is only 5 this yr, but I'm told starting at age 6 a yearly evaluation of work or testing must be done, you choose which you'd rather do.

There is a lot of info on homeschooling in Va on the VaHomeschoolers Organization website.
http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/law/

HTH and welcome to VA!

[MamaMonica]

Also try posting in the Finding Your Tribe area of MDC. Good luck!

[jewelsJZ]

Hi Tatangel,
I am in NoVA, too. I belong to a yahoo group called ashburn sterling homeschoolers. Are you in that area? If not, perhaps searching with your city's name and homeschoolers on yahoo groups or meet-up groups would turn up something.
P.M. me if you want to chat more or if you live nearby. We are not hs'ing yet, doing lots of learning at home to accommodate my son's learning style. He is in public kinder. But hoping next year to h.s.
I have seen in the past that there is a woman who does an informational meeting on the Notice of Intent and all that stuff a couple times a year. I think it is in the Dulles area somewhere. If you give me your contact info, I'll let you know if I hear about it again. Planning to go myself.
Best of luck!

[kwg]

There is a yahoo group that is VAeclectic that might give some info. I am in the tidewater area but all we have to do is send in a notice of intent and then at the end of the year take the CAT or another test.

Hope that helps!