Maryland vs Virginia: Homeschool Laws Compared

Maryland and Virginia sit in the same tier: both require notice and a periodic assessment. They still differ on 4 of the 9 rules compared: required subjects, testing or evaluation, the portfolio, and progress reports.

Rules compared

9

Differences

4

Same in both

5

The rules, side by side

Rows where the two states differ are marked. Tap a state name for its full guide, deadlines, and sources.

Figures are the same verified compliance data shown on each state's page. Requirements change; confirm with your state before you rely on one.

Moving from Maryland to Virginia

Once you are a Virginia resident you homeschool under Virginia's rules. These are the ones that change.

1. Virginia names no required subjects. Maryland's list is still a sensible course plan; it stops being a legal one.
2. The assessment rule changes from portfolio review, annually in Maryland to parent's choice (testing, portfolio, or evaluation), annually in Virginia.
3. Virginia does not require a portfolio. Bring Maryland's with you anyway; it is your proof of progress if a question ever comes up.
4. Reports go from on request in Maryland to once a year in Virginia.

Moving from Virginia to Maryland

Once you are a Maryland resident you homeschool under Maryland's rules. These are the ones that change.

1. Maryland names 8 required subjects (english, math, science, social studies, art, music, health, physical education). Tag activities to them so a gap shows before the year ends.
2. The assessment rule changes from parent's choice (testing, portfolio, or evaluation), annually in Virginia to portfolio review, annually in Maryland.
3. Keep a portfolio of dated work samples: Maryland requires one and Virginia did not.
4. Reports go from once a year in Virginia to on request in Maryland.

What stays the same

Maryland and Virginia match on notice of intent, hours or days per year, compulsory school ages, ESA funding, and public school sports access. Your habits on those carry over unchanged.

Do your records transfer?

Neither Maryland nor Virginia takes homeschool records from another state, and there is no transfer process between them. You keep your own: the hours or attendance log, work samples, and any grades or transcripts. Those are what the new state, and later a college, may ask to see. Homeschool Fox keeps them in one account that moves with your family.

Keep comparing

• Delaware vs Maryland 6 rules differ
• District of Columbia vs Maryland 3 rules differ
• District of Columbia vs Virginia 4 rules differ
• Florida vs Maryland 5 rules differ
• Kentucky vs Virginia 4 rules differ
• Maryland vs Pennsylvania 5 rules differ
• Maryland vs West Virginia 6 rules differ
• North Carolina vs Virginia 4 rules differ
• Tennessee vs Virginia 5 rules differ
• Required Homeschool Subjects by State All 34 states in one table
• States That Require Homeschool Testing or Evaluation All 19 states in one table
• States That Require a Homeschool Portfolio All 6 states in one table
• States That Require Homeschool Progress Reports All 22 states in one table