Homeschooling in Vermont: How To Homeschool While Following State Laws

by Rita Onyx

This is meant to be a summary and NOT legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under.

Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular. Just in the last years alone, homeschooling rose up by 700%. What was once seen as old-fashioned and outdated is now a modern way to educate the next generation.

There are many benefits to homeschooling; it gives parents freedom in choosing the curriculums and subjects their children learn. Remote learning also ensures their children are kept safe, away from potential dangers like bullying or viruses in public schools. It’s a win-win situation.

Thinking of homeschooling your children too? Then follow this quick guide on how to homeschool your children if you live in Vermont. Know the Vermont homeschool state laws and regulations in your state so you can homeschool properly.

Quick Facts: 

• There is one way to homeschool

• Children between 6-16 of age must be in school 

• You MUST notify your local school district of your intentions

• There are NO teacher qualifications

• There ARE state mandated subjects 

• There ARE required assessments or testing

• There are NO immunization requirements

How to Homeschool Under the Homeschool Statute

• Submit a written enrollment notice to the Secretary of Education for each child every year

• Include:

1. Name and age of child
2. Name of parents
3. Address of parents
4. Towns of legal residence of parents
5. Phone numbers of parents
6. Assessment of progress for each child enrolled in homeschooling the previous year
7. “Independent professional evidence on whether the child has a disability” for each child not enrolled in a Vermont public school or Vermont homes study program
8. Names, addresses, telephone numbers, and signatures of instructors
9. Signatures of all custodial parents or guardians who are legally authorized to make decisions regarding the child’s education

• Submit a detailed outline describing the curriculum and content of each subject

• Include the following subjects:

1. Reading
2. Writing
3. Math
4. Citizenship
5. U.S. history
6. Vermont history
7. Health (including the effects of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs on the human body and society)
8. Physical education
9. English literature
10. Science
11. Fine arts

• Evaluate your child with an annual assessment using the following methods:

1. A Vermont-certified teacher may write a report in a form designated by the secretary
2. Parents, child’s instructor, or a teacher advisory service can prepare a report with the portfolio of the student’s work
3. Results of a standardized achievement test

Helpful links:

https://education.vermont.gov/vermont-schools/school-operations/home-study

https://vhen.org/

https://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/non-public-education/regulation-map/vermont.html

Contact Information–State and Federal Departments of Education

• Vermont Agency of Education
  Rebecca Holcombe, Secretary of Education
  219 North Main Street Suite 402
  Barre, VT 05641
  Phone: (802) 479-1030
  Fax: (802) 479-479-1835
  Email: aoe-Edinfo@state.vt.us or maureen.gaidys@state.vt.us
  Website: http://www.education.vermont.gov/

• U.S. Department of Education, Vermont

This is meant to be a summary and NOT legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under.