Homeschooling in Vermont

Vermont calls homeschooling 'home study' — the terms are interchangeable. The state's home study law (16 V.S.A. §166b) was significantly simplified by H.461, signed by Governor Scott on June 14, 2023 (effective July 1, 2023). Key changes: families no longer submit a Minimum Course of Study to the state, no longer submit annual assessment results, and the enrollment process moved to a streamlined attestation model. Parents now ATTEST to meeting requirements rather than proving compliance to the state. This shifted Vermont from a higher-regulation state to a moderate-regulation state.

Legal framework at a glance

Legal options: Two pathways — Home Study Program (most common, under 16 V.S.A. §166b) or enrollment in an approved independent (private) school under 16 V.S.A. §166.

Notification: Home Study: file a Notice of Intent (Enrollment Notice) with the Vermont Agency of Education at least 10 BUSINESS DAYS before beginning home study. File annually..

Instructional time: Minimum 175 days of instruction per year. No specific daily hours mandated..

Required subjects: Per the Minimum Course of Study (MCOS) referenced in 16 V.S.A. §906: for children under 13: basic communication skills (English, including reading, writing, speaking), citizenship/history/government, mathematics, sciences, fine arts, comprehensive health, and physical education. For children 13+: communication skills, citizenship/history/government, mathematics, and sciences. (MCOS is no longer reported to the state, but instruction is still required.).

Testing and evaluation: Annual end-of-year assessment required. PARENTS RETAIN ASSESSMENT RECORDS — results are NOT submitted to the state. Acceptable methods: standardized testing, certified teacher evaluation, portfolio review, or other approved methods..

What Vermont families need to know

**H.461 of 2023** (effective July 1, 2023): the most significant Vermont homeschool law change in decades. Streamlined enrollment, eliminated Minimum Course of Study submission, eliminated end-of-year assessment submission to the state. Families now ATTEST to compliance rather than submit documentation.

Notice of Intent (Enrollment Notice) under 16 V.S.A. §166b: file with the Vermont Agency of Education's Home Study Team at least 10 BUSINESS DAYS before beginning home study. Filed online through the Vermont Home Study system or by paper to AOE Home Study, 1 National Life Drive - Davis 5, Montpelier, VT 05620-2501.

First-time enrollment requirements: (1) Notice of Intent form with basic information (name, address, birthdate, school district); (2) Independent Professional Evidence (IPE) form OR a Vermont public school report card OR documented evidence of disability. The IPE confirms the child is ready for home study.

Annual re-enrollment (subsequent years): submit a streamlined Annual Notice form. Includes attestation that academic progress will be assessed at end of year and that 175 days of instruction in the Minimum Course of Study will be provided.

175 days of instruction per year: required by attestation. Instruction may occur on any schedule — not bound to public school calendar.

Minimum Course of Study (MCOS) reference, 16 V.S.A. §906: still required by law but NO LONGER SUBMITTED to the state. For children under 13: basic communication skills, citizenship/history/government, mathematics, sciences, fine arts, comprehensive health, and physical education. For children 13+: communication skills, citizenship/history/government, mathematics, and sciences.

Annual assessment: required at the end of each year. PARENTS KEEP THE RECORDS — results are NOT submitted to the state. Acceptable methods include: (a) standardized testing, (b) evaluation by a Vermont-certified teacher, (c) portfolio review by a certified teacher, or (d) other approved methods. Special needs students may use accommodated assessment methods.

Enrollment confirmation: within 10 business days of submitting a complete enrollment notice, AOE sends a written acknowledgment of receipt — this constitutes sufficient enrollment verification. Default enrollment occurs on the 45th day if no objection is raised.

Withdrawal mid-year: parent must notify AOE in writing within 10 business days of withdrawing a student from home study (e.g., enrolling in school, moving out of state, graduation).

Religious waiver (16 V.S.A. §166b(j)): if a home study program cannot comply with specific requirements 'due to deep religious conviction shared by an organized group,' the AOE may waive those requirements if educational purposes are substantially met.

Home study integration law (16 V.S.A. §563(24), Act 119 of 1998): all local school boards MUST have a policy for integrating home study students into school courses, co-curricular activities, extracurricular activities, and use of facilities. Public school students get priority enrollment in courses, but home study students may enroll if space is available.

Sports access: under the integration law, home study students may participate in public school sports and extracurricular activities at the discretion of local school boards (most districts have favorable policies).

Special education: home study students with disabilities are 'deemed the same as children enrolled by their parents in an independent school' for IDEA purposes (Rule 2367.1). Limited services may be available; contact your district.

Town tuitioning vouchers: Vermont's unique town tuitioning program (some small towns without public schools pay tuition for students to attend approved schools) generally does NOT apply to home study students.

No state ESA: Vermont does not currently offer state ESA or voucher programs for home study families.

Compulsory attendance: ages 6 through 16.

Always verify current requirements with the Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) — Home Study Team before filing any official paperwork. State rules can change.

Diploma recognition

Vermont home study parents issue their own diplomas. The state does NOT issue grades, credits, transcripts, or diplomas to home study students. Vermont public colleges (UVM, Vermont State University, Castleton) accept home study transcripts. Most home study graduates take the GED to obtain a state-recognized credential, especially if pursuing employment, military, or specific college programs requiring a state-issued diploma. Strong SAT/ACT scores and dual enrollment courses (available through Vermont's Dual Enrollment program) significantly strengthen applications.

Getting started in Vermont

If you are new to homeschooling in Vermont, here is the practical sequence to follow:

1. Read the statute. Visit the Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) — Home Study Team website and read the current homeschool regulations in full. The summary on this page is a starting point, but the official statute is the final authority.
2. Choose your legal pathway. Vermont offers specific options described above. Choose the one that fits your family before you file anything.
3. Prepare your notification. Gather the information required for your notice or registration — child's name, date of birth, address, subjects, curriculum plans, and anything else your chosen pathway requires.
4. File before withdrawing. If your child is currently in public school, file your homeschool notification before you send the withdrawal letter to the school. See our withdrawal guide for the full process.
5. Set up your record-keeping system. Even in low-regulation states, keep attendance records, a list of curriculum used, and samples of your child's work. See our record-keeping guide for what to save and how.
6. Connect with a local homeschool organization. Vermont has active statewide homeschool organizations (listed below) and usually several local co-ops in each region. These are your best source of current, practical information.

Vermont homeschool organizations

The following organizations provide advocacy, support, and current information for Vermont homeschool families:

• Vermont Home Education Network (VHEN) — Largest statewide homeschool advocacy organization — vhen.org
• Christian Home Educators of Vermont — Statewide Christian organization
• HSLDA Vermont — Legal defense and member support

Local homeschool co-ops often meet in libraries, churches, and community centers throughout the state. A search for "Vermont homeschool co-op [your city]" typically surfaces groups meeting near you. The statewide organizations listed above maintain co-op directories.

Beyond the legal requirements

Meeting Vermont's legal requirements is only the foundation. The day-to-day work of homeschooling — choosing a curriculum, teaching multiple children at different levels, building a transcript — is the larger task. Once your legal compliance is in order, explore the rest of this site:

Homeschool360 • Vermont State Guide