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Homeschool in Vermont — Laws, Requirements, and How to Start
Vermont is a moderate homeschool state that requires families to file an annual enrollment notice with the Vermont Agency of Education, cover nine specified subject areas, and include an annual assessment plan in their enrollment. Vermont requires an annual assessment of each homeschooled student but gives families meaningful flexibility in how that assessment is conducted. Families in Burlington, Essex, South Burlington, Colchester, Montpelier, and across Vermont’s 14 counties operate under a structured but workable framework that respects both educational accountability and parental authority.
Vermont families looking for structured, faith-based education can explore Zion Academy’s full range of the accredited online schooling guide serving students in all 50 states.
What Are the Vermont Homeschool Legal Requirements?
Vermont’s homeschool statute is found in Title 16, Vermont Statutes Annotated, Chapter 87, Section 1121-1130. The law establishes Vermont as an “enrollment notice” state with specific subject requirements and mandatory annual assessment. Vermont does not require teacher certification but does require families to demonstrate academic progress each year through a chosen assessment method.
Enrollment Notice Requirement
Vermont parents must file a written enrollment notice with the Vermont Agency of Education (VT AOE) by the required date each school year. The enrollment notice must include: the name and age of each child to be homeschooled, the proposed course of study including identification of each required subject, the instructional resources to be used, and the annual assessment method the family has chosen. The enrollment notice is filed with the state agency, not the local school district. Vermont provides a standardized enrollment notice form through the VT AOE website. The notice must be filed at the start of each school year.
Required Subjects
Vermont requires instruction in nine subject areas: reading, writing, mathematics, citizenship, history, literature, science, fine arts, and physical education. These nine subjects must all be addressed in the annual enrollment notice and provided throughout the school year. Vermont does not mandate specific courses or textbooks within each subject area, but all nine categories must be represented in the curriculum.
Annual Assessment Requirement
Vermont requires an annual assessment of each homeschooled student’s academic progress. The assessment method is chosen by the parent and must be included in the enrollment notice at the start of the year. Vermont approves the following assessment methods for homeschoolers:
A portfolio of the student’s work reviewed by a licensed educator. A written assessment or evaluation by a licensed educator. A standardized test. An assessment of reading development by a licensed educator for students in grades K-3. Any other method approved by the Vermont Agency of Education.
Completed assessments are kept by the parent. In most cases, results are not automatically submitted to the VT AOE unless requested.
Attendance Requirements
Vermont does not specify a minimum number of instructional days or hours for homeschoolers. Families establish their own school calendar and daily schedule.
Teacher Qualifications
Vermont does not require homeschooling parents to hold a teaching certificate, college degree, or any credential. The annual assessment by a licensed educator (if chosen) does not require the teaching parent to be licensed — only the evaluator must be a licensed educator.
Record Keeping
Vermont requires homeschool families to maintain records of their program and make them available to the Vermont Agency of Education upon request. Records should include the enrollment notice, curriculum materials, student work samples, and annual assessment documentation.
How to Start Homeschooling in Vermont
Starting homeschool in Vermont requires filing a complete enrollment notice with the Vermont Agency of Education, choosing an annual assessment method, and selecting a curriculum that covers all nine required subjects.
Step 1 — Withdraw from Public School
If your child currently attends a Vermont public school, notify the school in writing that your child is withdrawing to homeschool. Include the child’s name, grade, and effective withdrawal date. Request academic records for your home file. Vermont school districts cannot require curriculum submission or approval before permitting withdrawal.
Step 2 — Prepare and File Your Enrollment Notice
Download the enrollment notice form from the Vermont Agency of Education website (education.vermont.gov). Complete the form for each child to be homeschooled. Your enrollment notice must include:
Each required subject and how it will be covered. The instructional resources (curriculum, textbooks, online programs) to be used. The annual assessment method you have chosen for the school year.
Submit the completed enrollment notice to the Vermont Agency of Education by the required date. File a new enrollment notice at the start of each subsequent school year.
Step 3 — Choose Your Annual Assessment Method
Select the assessment method that best fits your child and your teaching approach. A portfolio review by a licensed educator is a popular choice for Vermont homeschool families because it evaluates the full body of a student’s work rather than a single test score. Standardized testing is also widely used. Confirm that the evaluator you have chosen (if selecting a portfolio review or educator evaluation) is licensed in Vermont.
Step 4 — Choose a Curriculum
Select a curriculum that covers all nine required subjects: reading, writing, mathematics, citizenship, history, literature, science, fine arts, and physical education. Zion Academy of America provides a fully accredited, faith-based K-12 online curriculum covering all nine required Vermont subject areas with rigorous, structured instruction and detailed academic records that support Vermont’s annual assessment requirement. learn about explore online homeschool program
Homeschool Funding and Resources in Vermont
Vermont does not currently offer a statewide Education Savings Account (ESA), voucher program, or homeschool-specific tax deduction. Homeschool families in Vermont bear the full cost of curriculum, assessment fees, and educational materials. Several organizations support Vermont homeschoolers with community and legal resources.
Vermont Organizations
Vermont Homeschoolers’ Association provides statewide support for Vermont homeschool families with legislative monitoring, community resources, and guidance on navigating Vermont’s enrollment notice and assessment requirements. The organization tracks changes to Vermont’s homeschool statute and maintains resources for families preparing their annual enrollment notices.
Finding a Licensed Evaluator in Vermont
Vermont families who choose portfolio review or educator evaluation as their annual assessment method need to find a Vermont-licensed educator to conduct the evaluation. The Vermont Homeschoolers’ Association maintains a directory of Vermont-licensed educators who offer homeschool evaluation services. Contact evaluators early in the school year to ensure availability before the assessment deadline.
Co-ops and Support Groups
Homeschool co-ops operate in Burlington, Montpelier, Barre, Rutland, and other Vermont communities. Co-ops provide group instruction in science labs, physical education, fine arts, and social enrichment. Regional support groups serve families across Vermont’s rural counties and small towns.
HSLDA Membership
The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) supports Vermont homeschoolers with legal advocacy and guidance on navigating Vermont’s enrollment notice requirements. HSLDA is particularly valuable for families who encounter questions from state officials about their enrollment notice or assessment documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions — Homeschooling in Vermont
The following questions address the most common concerns Vermont families raise when starting or continuing a homeschool program.
What must be included in Vermont’s annual enrollment notice?
Vermont’s enrollment notice must include the name and age of each child to be homeschooled, the proposed course of study identifying all nine required subjects, the instructional resources to be used, and the annual assessment method chosen by the parent. The form is filed with the Vermont Agency of Education at the start of each school year.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Vermont?
Vermont requires instruction in nine subject areas: reading, writing, mathematics, citizenship, history, literature, science, fine arts, and physical education. All nine subjects must be included in the annual enrollment notice and addressed throughout the school year.
What are the annual assessment options for Vermont homeschoolers?
Vermont approves five assessment methods: a portfolio review by a licensed educator, a written evaluation by a licensed educator, a standardized test, a reading assessment by a licensed educator (grades K-3), or another method approved by the Vermont Agency of Education. The parent chooses the method and includes it in the enrollment notice at the start of the year.
Does Vermont require homeschoolers to use a Vermont-licensed teacher?
Vermont does not require the homeschooling parent to be licensed. However, if the family chooses portfolio review or educator evaluation as the annual assessment method, the person conducting the evaluation must be a Vermont-licensed educator. The teaching parent does not need a license; only the assessor does.
DISCLAIMER: This information is provided for general educational purposes and reflects our understanding of current homeschool laws as of 2026. Homeschool laws, regulations, and funding programs change frequently at the state, county, and district level. This page does not constitute legal advice. Families should verify current requirements directly with their state’s department of education, consult HSLDA.org for up-to-date legal guidance, or speak with a qualified attorney before making educational decisions based on this information.
Zion Academy Is Accepted in Vermont
Zion Academy of America is a fully accredited, K-12 Christian online homeschool academy serving families throughout Vermont. Zion’s curriculum covers all nine of Vermont’s required subject areas — reading, writing, mathematics, citizenship, history, literature, science, fine arts, and physical education — with rigorous, structured instruction and detailed academic records that support Vermont’s annual assessment and enrollment notice requirements. Vermont families receive progress reports, course descriptions, and academic documentation that simplify both the enrollment notice preparation and the annual assessment process.
Families in Burlington, South Burlington, Essex, Colchester, Montpelier, Barre, Rutland, and across Vermont’s rural communities choose Zion Academy for its accredited academics, Christian foundation, and comprehensive documentation support for Vermont’s structured homeschool process.
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