According to Vermont Statute 16 V.S.A. § 1121, “A person having the control of a child between the ages of six and 16 years shall cause the child to attend a public school, an approved or recognized independent school, an approved education program, or a home study program for the full number of days for which that school is held, unless the child:

• is mentally or physically unable so to attend; or
• has completed the tenth grade; or
•  is excused by the superintendent or a majority of the school directors as provided in this chapter; or
• is enrolled in and attending a postsecondary school which is approved or accredited in Vermont or another state.”

As stated above, “Every family in Vermont has the right to educate their own children. All students in Vermont must be enrolled at an approved public or independent school or enroll in a home study program. Home Study and Home Schooling mean the same thing; the family is responsible for educating the students.  Families must develop their own curriculum, or purchase a curriculum to implement or they can enroll their students in an online program/academy.  The family will determine which best meets their needs. 

The Agency of Education’s Home Study Team functions as an approver of home study programs – not a school.  There are some minimum standards that the State of Vermont has determined all Home Study Programs must meet, and we are responsible for ensuring that all programs are in compliance with the requirements in 16 VSA §166b.  By enrolling in a Home Study Program, families give up their right to a publicly funded education.  There is no money available to pay for a Home Study Program at either the State level or the local level” (Vermont Agency of Education).

What do I need to be eligible to be a homeschool parent?

There are no minimum qualifications for your to homeschool your child in Vermont.

Do I need to notify the school district of my intent to homeschool my child?

Yes! Per Vermont Statute 16 V.S.A. § 166b, “A home study program shall send a written enrollment notice to the Secretary whenever it intends to enroll a child. Enrollments in home study programs shall expire on July 1. If a home study program intends to re-enroll a child for the following school year, a new notice under this section is required and may be submitted at any time after March 1.”

Notification must include the following (16 V.S.A. § 166b):

• “The name, age, and month and year of birth of the child.
• The names, mailing addresses, town of legal residence, and telephone numbers of the parents or guardians of the child.
• For each child enrolled during the preceding year, any assessment of progress required.
• For each child not previously enrolled in a Vermont public school or Vermont home study program, independent professional evidence on whether the child has a disability. A comprehensive evaluation to establish eligibilities for special education is not required, but may be ordered by a hearing officer after a hearing under this section.
• For each child being enrolled for the current year, a detailed outline or narrative that describes the content to be provided in each subject area of the minimum course of study, including any special services or adaptations to be made to accommodate any disability. Methods and materials to be used may be included but are not required.
• The names, addresses, telephone numbers, and signatures of the persons who will provide ongoing instruction in each subject area of the minimum course of study.
• The signatures of all custodial parents or guardians who are legally authorized to make educational decisions for the student.”

Students must remain in the public/independent school until you have received an official Home Study enrollment complete letter” (Vermont Agency of Education). “Within 14 business days of receiving an enrollment notice, the Secretary or designee shall send the home study program a written acknowledgment of receipt. The acknowledgment shall include a determination:

• either that the enrollment notice is complete and no further information is needed, or specifically identifying information required which is missing. If information is missing, the home study program shall provide the additional information in writing within 14 days; and
• either that the child may be enrolled immediately or that the child may be enrolled 45 days after the enrollment notice was received. At any time before the child may be enrolled, the Secretary may order that a hearing be held. After notice of such a hearing is received, the child shall not be enrolled until after an order has been issued by the hearing officer to that effect” (16 V.S.A. § 166b).

Available on the forms page of the Vermont Agency of Education website are a full online enrollment packet, individual online forms, and printable forms for paper submission.

What educational options are available to my homeschooler?

When you homeschool in Vermont, you have options. According to the Vermont Agency of Education, “Students enrolled in home study may take part in classes and activities at their public (not independent) schools. Act 119 provides for the participation of homeschoolers in public school academic, co-curricular, and extracurricular programs. […] If a student is taking a class at the public school, you must:

• Include the content of the public school class in the minimum course of study. (Not applicable if the student has met the minimum course of study exemption.)
• Provide an End-of-the-Year Assessment (EOYA) or a copy of the Report Card for the class.
• […] submit the signature of a school official (teacher, principal, guidance counselor, etc.) in the enrollment packet verifying the class the child is taking at the public school (Form C).
• If the student is accessing an online program, families must keep hard copies of work if their plan is to submit a Parent Report and Portfolio for an End of the Year Assessment. The Home Study Office will not accept print outs from the online program documenting that the student completed the program unless the print out includes grades. The Home Study Office needs to see work samples that the student completed.”

As another option, Act 77 “creates a Flexible Pathways Initiative within the Agency of Education to expand opportunities for secondary students to complete high school and achieve postsecondary readiness. The Act provides the opportunity for each high school student to:

• Enroll in two dual enrollment courses that the State pays for,
• Allows eligible students to access the early college program through which students’ complete 12th grade entirely on a college campus, and
• Removes the age limit for participation in the High School Completion Program.”

Note: “To be enrolled in a home study program, at least sixty percent of the core academics (3 out of 5) must be conducted at home. “Core academics” includes (basic communication skills: reading and writing, basic communications skills: use of numbers (math), history/citizenship/government, the natural sciences, English, American, and other literature.”