Vermont homeschool requirements and record-keeping, 2026-27
In Vermont you send an enrollment notice to the Secretary of Education, on the Agency of Education's form, at least 10 business days before home study begins. You send an annual notice to continue at least 10 business days before each later year starts. The notice attests to at least 175 days of instruction a year in the minimum course of study. It also attests that you will assess progress at the end of each year and keep the assessment record. Assessment options include a standardized test, a review by a Vermont-certified teacher, or a parent report with at least four work samples.
What you file and when
- Enrollment notice on the Agency of Education form: child's name, age and birth date; parent contact details; attestation of annual assessment; 175-day attestation; disability evidence for children new to Vermont schools; signatures
To: Secretary of Education (Agency of Education). When: At least 10 business days before home study begins - Annual notice of intent to continue
To: Secretary of Education. When: At least 10 business days before each following year's start date - Written notice of withdrawal
To: Secretary of Education. When: Within 10 business days after a student is withdrawn
What you keep
- Record of each year's end-of-year assessment
Portfolio. If you choose the parent-report option: a summary of what was learned plus at least four samples of work.
How long to keep it. The sources we read set no retention period. Keeping a record for at least a few years is a sensible habit.
Who evaluates. Optional route: a person holding a current Vermont teacher's certificate.
Assessment. End of each school year, one of: standardized assessment; review by a Vermont-certified teacher; parent report and portfolio with a summary and at least four work samples; grades from an online academy or school; or passing the GED.
Hours, days and subjects
- 175 days a year
- Compulsory attendance ages: 6 to 16
Children 13 and older: all of these except fine arts (16 V.S.A. § 906(b)(1), (2), (4), (5)).
Subjects. Basic communication skills: reading, writing, use of numbers; Citizenship, history and government of Vermont and the U.S.; Physical education and comprehensive health education; English, American and other literature; Natural sciences; Fine arts (under age 13).
Work out your hours for Vermont with the free calculator.
Things people miss
- Both notices run on business days, not calendar days; count back 10 business days from your start date.
- You keep the assessment yourself; the statute does not say to send it in.
- The start date is yours to choose, so the app uses your year's start date rather than a fixed calendar date.
Official sources
- 16 V.S.A. § 166b Home study program (16 V.S.A. § 166b)
Verified checked on 2026-10-18 - 16 V.S.A. § 906 Course of study (16 V.S.A. § 906)
Verified checked on 2026-10-18 - 16 V.S.A. § 1121 Attendance by children of school age required (16 V.S.A. § 1121)
Verified checked on 2026-10-18
How Schoolkeeper helps
A twenty-second daily log, and then an export in the shape Vermont asks for:
- An attendance record showing the days you taught, counted against 175.
- A portfolio of work samples, photos and what they read, in date order.
- Minutes by subject, totalled for the year.
Questions parents ask
What do I have to file to homeschool in Vermont?
Enrollment notice on the Agency of Education form: child's name, age and birth date; parent contact details; attestation of annual assessment; 175-day attestation; disability evidence for children new to Vermont schools; signatures, to Secretary of Education (Agency of Education). When: At least 10 business days before home study begins. Annual notice of intent to continue, to Secretary of Education. When: At least 10 business days before each following year's start date. Written notice of withdrawal, to Secretary of Education. When: Within 10 business days after a student is withdrawn.
What records do I keep for homeschooling in Vermont?
Record of each year's end-of-year assessment.
How many hours or days does Vermont ask for?
Vermont asks for 175 days a year.
Does Vermont require testing or an evaluation?
End of each school year, one of: standardized assessment; review by a Vermont-certified teacher; parent report and portfolio with a summary and at least four work samples; grades from an online academy or school; or passing the GED.
This is a plain-English summary with its sources, not legal advice. Tell us if this is wrong.