Your state guide · 2026
Vermont homeschool laws
Last verified · View official sources
The short answer
Vermont parents enroll a child in a home study program by sending a notice of intent to the Secretary of Education at least 10 business days before starting, then renewing it every year.
Editorial category; see the guide.
At least 10 business days before home study begins, then an annual notice of intent to continue each year before the start date. Withdrawal from home study must be reported in writing within 10 business days.
See requirements for options and exceptions.
See the full guide for age exceptions.
Regulation level
M · ModerateView regulation data
| State | Category |
|---|---|
| Vermont | Moderate |
Your requirements
A practical checklist
“Not specified” means a single yes/no requirement is not explicit in the supplied information. Read each detail for options and exceptions.
Notice
RequiredA notice of intent on the Agency of Education form with each child's name, age and birth date; contact details for every parent or guardian with legal custody; promises that the child will be assessed each year and taught the minimum course of study for 175 days; and signatures of all custodial parents. A child new to Vermont public school or home study also needs independent professional evidence about whether the child has a documented disability, or an accepted alternative such as a Vermont report card or IEP.
Subjects
RequiredUnder 13: reading, writing and use of numbers; Under 13: citizenship, history and government of Vermont and the United States; Under 13: physical education and comprehensive health education; Under 13: English, American and other literature; Under 13: natural sciences; Under 13: fine arts; Age 13 and older: the same list except physical/health education and fine arts
Hours / days
RequiredThe equivalent of at least 175 days of instruction per year.
Testing / evaluation
RequiredEach child must be assessed at the end of every school year by one of these: a standardized test, a review by a teacher holding a current Vermont license, a parent report and portfolio with at least four work samples, grades from an online school, or passing the GED. Results are kept by the parent and are not submitted unless the family chooses to.
Teacher qualifications
Not specifiedNot specified in state law
Records / portfolio
Not specifiedThe parent keeps the end-of-year assessment records. The Agency of Education also tells families to keep their minimum course of study.
Immunizations
Not specifiedNot specified in state law
At a glance
- Notice due 10 business days before starting
- Re-enroll every year
- 175 days of instruction a year
- End-of-year assessment, kept by parent
- Can take up to 2 core courses at local school
Requirements at a glance
Read the details for your chosen homeschooling option below.
Open the full requirements table
| Requirement | What to know |
|---|---|
| Compulsory school ages | 6–16 |
| Notice required | Yes |
| Filing deadline | At least 10 business days before home study begins, then an annual notice of intent to continue each year before the start date. Withdrawal from home study must be reported in writing within 10 business days. |
| Required subjects | Under 13: reading, writing and use of numbers; Under 13: citizenship, history and government of Vermont and the United States; Under 13: physical education and comprehensive health education; Under 13: English, American and other literature; Under 13: natural sciences; Under 13: fine arts; Age 13 and older: the same list except physical/health education and fine arts |
| Instruction time | The equivalent of at least 175 days of instruction per year. |
| Parent qualifications | Not specified in state law |
| Tests & assessments | Each child must be assessed at the end of every school year by one of these: a standardized test, a review by a teacher holding a current Vermont license, a parent report and portfolio with at least four work samples, grades from an online school, or passing the GED. Results are kept by the parent and are not submitted unless the family chooses to. |
| Records to keep | The parent keeps the end-of-year assessment records. The Agency of Education also tells families to keep their minimum course of study. |
| Immunizations | Not specified in state law |
How to start homeschooling in Vermont
The family promises to teach a minimum course of study for the equivalent of 175 days a year and to assess the child at the end of each year. Assessment results stay with the parent and are not sent to the state unless the family chooses to share them.
Choose your homeschooling option
Home study program. Parent-provided education enrolled with the Agency of Education. It may serve the children living in the home plus up to two other children, or the children of one other family.
Prepare your notice
A notice of intent on the Agency of Education form with each child's name, age and birth date; contact details for every parent or guardian with legal custody; promises that the child will be assessed each year and taught the minimum course of study for 175 days; and signatures of all custodial parents. A child new to Vermont public school or home study also needs independent professional evidence about whether the child has a documented disability, or an accepted alternative such as a Vermont report card or IEP.
Open the official notice resource ↗Check when and where to file
When: At least 10 business days before home study begins, then an annual notice of intent to continue each year before the start date. Withdrawal from home study must be reported in writing within 10 business days.
Where: The Secretary of Education (Agency of Education Home Study Office), which sends a written acknowledgment within 10 business days of a complete notice. Wait for that confirmation before withdrawing from school.
View steps as a table
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Choose your homeschooling option | Home study program. Parent-provided education enrolled with the Agency of Education. It may serve the children living in the home plus up to two other children, or the children of one other family. |
| 2. Prepare your notice | A notice of intent on the Agency of Education form with each child's name, age and birth date; contact details for every parent or guardian with legal custody; promises that the child will be assessed each year and taught the minimum course of study for 175 days; and signatures of all custodial parents. A child new to Vermont public school or home study also needs independent professional evidence about whether the child has a documented disability, or an accepted alternative such as a Vermont report card or IEP. |
| 3. Check when and where to file | At least 10 business days before home study begins, then an annual notice of intent to continue each year before the start date. Withdrawal from home study must be reported in writing within 10 business days. The Secretary of Education (Agency of Education Home Study Office), which sends a written acknowledgment within 10 business days of a complete notice. Wait for that confirmation before withdrawing from school. |
Subjects to teach
- Under 13: reading, writing and use of numbers
- Under 13: citizenship, history and government of Vermont and the United States
- Under 13: physical education and comprehensive health education
- Under 13: English, American and other literature
- Under 13: natural sciences
- Under 13: fine arts
- Age 13 and older: the same list except physical/health education and fine arts
Sports & extracurricular activities
School boards must have a policy that lets home study students take courses, join co-curricular and extracurricular activities and use school facilities. The Agency of Education says students may take up to two of the five core courses at their local school, plus electives, athletics and other activities as space permits.
Official forms & law
Forms & guidance
- Home Study Enrollment Notice of Intent (first-time) ↗
- Independent Professional Evidence form ↗
- Home Study Re-Enrollment Annual Notice ↗
Statutes
Questions, answered.
What do I file to homeschool in Vermont?
A notice of intent on the Agency of Education form with each child's name, age and birth date; contact details for every parent or guardian with legal custody; promises that the child will be assessed each year and taught the minimum course of study for 175 days; and signatures of all custodial parents. A child new to Vermont public school or home study also needs independent professional evidence about whether the child has a documented disability, or an accepted alternative such as a Vermont report card or IEP.
When do I file in Vermont?
At least 10 business days before home study begins, then an annual notice of intent to continue each year before the start date. Withdrawal from home study must be reported in writing within 10 business days.
What assessments are required in Vermont?
Each child must be assessed at the end of every school year by one of these: a standardized test, a review by a teacher holding a current Vermont license, a parent report and portfolio with at least four work samples, grades from an online school, or passing the GED. Results are kept by the parent and are not submitted unless the family chooses to.
Check the original
Sources and last checked
- 16 V.S.A. § 166b, Home study program ↗Vermont General Assembly
- 16 V.S.A. § 11, Classifications and definitions ↗Vermont General Assembly
- 16 V.S.A. § 1121, Attendance by children of school age required ↗Vermont General Assembly
- 16 V.S.A. § 906, Course of study ↗Vermont General Assembly
- 16 V.S.A. § 563, Powers of school boards ↗Vermont General Assembly
- Home Study ↗Vermont Agency of Education
Last verified .