Homeschooling in Vermont: Requirements, Costs, and How to Start
Vermont requires notification for homeschool families.
Last reviewed by the HomeschoolOS Compliance Team
Always verify with Vermont's Department of Education before filing or submitting compliance documents — laws change, and edge cases can apply.
Key Takeaways
- Compulsory school attendance in Vermont applies to children ages 6 through 16.
- Vermont requires homeschool families to file a notice of intent or similar notification with the state or local district.
- Vermont does not require standardized testing for homeschool students.
- Vermont requires at least 175 instructional days per year.
- Vermont does not require a homeschool portfolio.
- Vermont mandates instruction in 10 core subject areas.
Vermont requires an annual enrollment notice to the Agency of Education. Instruction must equal 175 days per year in required subjects (reading, writing, math, science, citizenship, history, U.S. and Vermont government, physical education, health, English, American literature, and American history), or appropriate adaptations for documented disabilities. An annual assessment is required but not submitted — parents keep records. Multiple assessment options exist: a standardized test, a certified teacher's report, a written portfolio report, online educational platform grades, or evidence of completing a GED. Compulsory attendance covers ages 6–16. The Agency of Education's homeschool page is unusually clear, and the annual enrollment process is a single-page submission. Vermont families generally find the legal piece manageable: file the annual enrollment, pick your assessment method for the year, keep your records, and the state stays out of the way. Vermont Homeschoolers, the statewide network, organizes regional events and provides peer support across the state's small but tightly-connected homeschool community.
At a Glance
Compulsory Ages
6–16
Regulation Level
Moderate regulation
Notification
Required
Testing
Not required
Portfolio
Not required
Is homeschooling legal in Vermont?
Yes — homeschooling is legal in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, including Vermont. Vermont applies moderate oversight — an annual notice of intent is required — but the rules are clearly defined and most families settle into a predictable annual rhythm.
Vermont Homeschool Requirements: Detailed Breakdown
Instruction Days
175 days per year
Notification Required
Yes — must file with your district or state
Testing Required
No testing required
Portfolio Required
No portfolio required
Required Subjects
Details
Annual enrollment notice to Agency of Education required. Must provide equivalent of 175 days instruction in required subjects or adaptations for documented disabilities. Annual assessment required but not submitted - parents keep records. Multiple assessment options available including standardized tests, certified teacher reports, portfolio reports, online grades, or GED evidence.
How much does it cost to homeschool in Vermont?
Most Vermont homeschool families spend roughly $500 to $2,500 per child per year. The exact figure depends on whether you build your own curriculum from low-cost or free resources (libraries, Khan Academy, open educational materials), use a packaged curriculum, or layer in tutoring, co-ops, and enrichment classes. Standardized testing fees, when required, typically run $30–$50 per test.
Vermont does not currently have a widely-known statewide homeschool scholarship or ESA program with universal eligibility. Check Vermont's school choice landscape annually — programs are expanding rapidly across the country.
Can homeschool students play public school sports in Vermont?
Public school sports access for homeschool students varies by district in Vermont, and the rules are typically set by the state high school athletic association rather than the legislature. Many districts allow participation under state equal-access laws or athletic association rules; others have restrictions tied to part-time enrollment or residency.
Contact your local school district's athletic director directly to confirm what your child can participate in this year, and consult HSLDA's Vermont page for the current statewide picture.
Homeschooling high school in Vermont: transcripts, diplomas, and college
In Vermont, homeschool families are responsible for issuing their own high school diploma and maintaining their own transcript. Colleges across the country routinely admit homeschool graduates — many state universities have published homeschool admission policies, and selective private colleges increasingly recruit homeschoolers actively.
Most Vermont homeschool teens strengthen their college applications by taking the SAT or ACT, completing dual-enrollment courses at a local community college, building a portfolio of meaningful projects, and securing strong recommendations from adult mentors outside the family. HomeschoolOS includes a transcript and GPA generator that pulls from the lessons, grades, and credit-hour data you log throughout the year.
How do I withdraw my child from public school to homeschool in Vermont?
Generate your Vermontwithdrawal letter →
Free 90-second wizard. Letter, attendance log, and 30/60/90 checklist as PDFs. No account.
The standard procedure
- Submit a written withdrawal letter to your child's current school principal. Keep a copy and obtain confirmation of receipt.
- File your homeschool notice of intent with Vermont's appropriate state or district office, following the state's required cadence and content. This establishes your homeschool legally and ends the public school's compulsory-attendance jurisdiction.
- Begin tracking attendance, lessons, and any required portfolio work from day one — in Vermont, your records protect you against any later truancy or state-requirement question.
Vermont homeschool community and resources
The most useful Vermont homeschool resources for new families are typically a statewide convention or association, a local co-op for weekly community, and HSLDA for legal questions.
- Vermont Homeschoolers — Statewide network and resource hub for Vermont homeschool families. Visit site
- HSLDA — Vermont — Legal-defense membership and current statutory analysis. Visit page
- Local co-ops and Facebook groups— Search “[your city] Vermonthomeschool” on Facebook to find weekly co-ops, park days, and field-trip groups that match your child's age and your educational philosophy.
How Homeschool OS tracks Vermont's requirements
Attendance Tracker
Every school day is logged automatically as lessons are completed.
Subject Mapping
Every curriculum and lesson is tagged with its subject for coverage tracking.
Filing Reminders
Get notified before notification deadlines so paperwork is never late.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start homeschooling in Vermont?
To start homeschooling in Vermont, you must file a notice of intent with your local school district or state education agency. Compulsory education applies to children ages 6 through 16.
Do I need to notify anyone to homeschool in Vermont?
Yes. Vermont requires homeschool families to file a notice of intent or similar notification with their local school district or state education agency.
Is testing required for homeschoolers in Vermont?
No. Vermont does not require standardized testing or assessments for homeschooled students.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Vermont?
Vermont requires instruction in: Citizenship, Fine Arts, Health, History, Language Arts, Math, Physical Education, Reading, Science, Writing.
What ages are covered by compulsory education in Vermont?
Children ages 6 through 16 are subject to compulsory education laws in Vermont.
How much does it cost to homeschool in Vermont?
Most homeschool families in Vermont spend roughly $500 to $2,500 per child per year on curriculum, supplies, testing fees, and enrichment. The exact figure depends on whether you build your own program from low-cost resources or use a packaged curriculum.
Can homeschool students play public school sports in Vermont?
Public school sports access for homeschool students varies by district in Vermont. Many districts allow participation under state equal-access laws or athletic association rules; others have restrictions. Contact your local district directly, and consult HSLDA's Vermont page for the current statewide picture.
Can homeschool students earn a diploma and go to college in Vermont?
Yes. Homeschool families in Vermont are responsible for issuing their own high school diploma and transcript. Colleges across the country routinely admit homeschool graduates; many Vermont families strengthen their applications with SAT or ACT scores, dual-enrollment courses at a local community college, and a portfolio of meaningful projects.
How do I withdraw my child from public school to homeschool in Vermont?
In Vermont, withdrawing from public school typically involves submitting a written withdrawal letter to the school principal and filing your homeschool notice of intent with the appropriate state or district office. The notification protects you from truancy concerns and establishes your homeschool legally for the school year.
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This information is for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. Always verify requirements with your state's department of education before relying on this data.