Homeschooling offers a unique opportunity to craft an education tailored to your child’s needs, values, and interests. With abundant homeschool groups, resources, co-ops, and extracurriculars right here in Charlottesville, families have everything they need to thrive.
Susan Maccarelli, registrar at the Community Homeschool Enrichment Center (CHEC) in Charlottesville, emphasizes the benefits of tailoring education to fit each child’s unique needs.
“Families typically find that having the ability to customize the learning experience they provide meets the needs of their child better than traditional learning environments can or have,” says Maccarelli.
While homeschooling offers incredible flexibility, it can also feel overwhelming at first due to the sheer amount of information and resources available. So whether you’re new to homeschooling or a seasoned educator looking for fresh ideas, this guide will walk you through getting started, tapping into your local community, and exploring the many resources available to you.
Getting Started: How to Homeschool in Virginia
Homeschooling in Virginia is simpler than you might think. The state’s homeschooling laws balance parental freedom with accountability, giving families the flexibility they need to tailor their home education to their family’s needs. The state also offers clear, accessible guidelines, so getting started in your homeschool journey is simple.
Here are the key steps to get you started:
File a Notice of Intent (NOI)
To kick things off, submit your notice of intent to your local school division by Aug. 15 each year, or within two weeks of starting homeschooling. Your NOI should include a list of subjects you plan to teach during the school year.
“While homeschooling is certainly not free of academic struggles, it offers much more opportunity to pivot and be flexible to find just the right fit for each student,” adds Maccarelli. “Ultimately it is about learning what works best for your student.”
Charlottesville City Schools Homeschool Office
Albemarle County Schools Homeschool Office
Choose a Homeschooling Method
Once you’ve filed your Notice of Intent, the next step is finding a homeschooling method that works for your family. One of the great advantages of homeschooling is the freedom to tailor your approach to suit your child’s unique learning style—and your own teaching method.
When it comes to choosing a curriculum, Maccarelli advises taking your time.
“My personal curriculum advice is not to buy a lot of expensive curriculum to start,” she says. “Try borrowing curriculum from another homeschool parent or buying just a unit or single lesson to test it out first. There are also lots of online activities you can find to create enriching experiences like math games and at-home science experiments,
Maccarelli speaks from experience as she recalls purchasing a pricey curriculum during her first year of homeschooling.
“Although I loved it, it didn’t really work for my kids. They found it dry and boring, so we shifted to other resources. Don’t be afraid to scrap something if it isn’t working,” Maccarelli advises.
Provide Evidence of Progress
At the end of the school year, you’ll need to show your child’s homeschool progress. This can be done through standardized test scores or an evaluation from a qualified educator.
For detailed instructions and forms, visit the Virginia Department of Education’s Home Instruction Page.
Tapping into Charlottesville’s Homeschooling Community
Homeschooling doesn’t mean going it alone. Charlottesville offers a rich variety of opportunities and homeschool groups to connect with other families, share experiences, and access unique educational resources. From co-ops and nature schools to STEM programs and the arts, there’s something for everyone.
“The most common concern I hear from those considering homeschooling, or those who have recently started, is whether their child will have enough social interaction,” says Maccarelli. “While this is often used as a strike against homeschooling, in many cases homeschoolers are some of the most ‘social’ kids I have met. They tend to participate in multi-age activities, interacting with people of all ages rather than just same-aged peers.”
“While homeschooling is certainly not free of academic struggles, it offers much more opportunity to pivot and be flexible to find just the right fit for each student,” adds Maccarelli. “Ultimately it is about learning what works best for your student.”
By joining local homeschool groups, co-ops, or enrichment programs, your child can build meaningful connections while exploring new interests. Charlottesville has plenty to offer! Watch for special homeschool days at attractions too. Getting out and being hands-on offers both learning and social opportunities. Some favorite day trips include LEGO Exhibits & Events, the Frontier Culture Museum, science museums, the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, zoos & aquariumsand attractions in the Shenandoah Valley.
Curious about what’s available? Here are just a few programs and activities to enrich your journey including homeschool groups for meeting up:
Charlottesville Homeschool Co-ops and Enrichment Programs
- Albemarle Christian Teaching Support (ACTS): Offers Christian-based support and enrichment.
- Beyond Explorations: Hosts weekly park days for kids aged 5–14.
- Central Virginia Homeschool Athletic Association: Team sports and Christ-centered
- Charlottesville Charlotte Mason Community: Provides monthly discussions and classes rooted in the Charlotte Mason educational philosophy.
- Christian Home Educators Science and Sports: Features hands-on science classes with a Christian focus.
- Classical Conversations: Combines a Classical, Christian, and community-focused approach to education.
- Community Homeschool Enrichment Center (CHEC): Offers classes for ages 5–18 in a fun and inclusive environment.
- Holy Infant of Prague Paideia: Provides classical education classes in Orange, VA.
- Living Earth School: Offers weekly nature-based learning sessions focused on outdoor exploration and STEM.
- Crozet Cooperative: Homeschool hybrid program offering academic and elective classes for ages 8-12 in Western Albemarle.
Classes & Sports with Special Homeschool Offerings
- Crozet Arts: Offers ballet, theater, music, and visual arts instruction.
- KidsCollege at PVCC: Provides STEM and art summer camps for rising 1st–10th graders.
- Light House Studio: Features filmmaking classes that nurture storytelling and technical skills.
- Massanutten Ski and Snowboard Lessons: Offers winter sports packages for homeschool families.
- Rocky Top Climbing Gym: Provides indoor climbing experiences for all ages.
- Triple C Camp: Hosts custom workshops on science, leadership, and critical thinking.
- West City Soccer: Runs homeschool-specific soccer programs.
- Wildrock: A nature discovery center offering play-based learning and field trips tied to Virginia Standards of Learning.
Charlottesville Homeschool Groups and Support
- Cville Area Homeschoolers Facebook Club: Connect with other local homeschooling families.
- Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV): Offers statewide resources, annual conventions, and advice for families.
- VaHomeschoolers: Provides detailed guidance and advocacy.
No matter where you are in your homeschooling journey, Charlottesville offers countless opportunities to make it work for you.
“While homeschooling is certainly not free of academic struggles, it offers much more opportunity to pivot and be flexible to find just the right fit for each student,” adds Maccarelli. “Ultimately it is about learning what works best for your student.”
AMANDA DANAHER is a busy mom of five who is passionate about bringing encouragement to other parents through writing. She focuses on freelancing for Virginia parent and family magazines where she can utilize her journalism degree and share her parenting experience.