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The latest Virginia news on homeschooling, alternative schools and school choice, with a short summary of each story. Updated every week.
Virginia Mercury · Thu, Nov 5, 2026
Voters in 15 of Virginia's 47 localities approved a 1% sales tax to help pay for school construction and modernization on Election Day, while 32 localities rejected it. The state estimates more than 1,000 school buildings are over 50 years old and would take
News 3 WTKR Norfolk · Sat, Oct 17, 2026
The Chesapeake School Board voted 7-2 against a resolution urging Virginia to opt out of the federal scholarship tax credit program, which is set to take effect in 2027. Members of the Chesapeake Education Association, who asked for the resolution, warned the program could cost Chesapeake Public Schools an estimated 2 million a year. Board members Malia Huddle and Amanda Quillin voted in favor, while a majority said the program could bring additional resources to local students and organizations. The vote means the board will not formally ask Virginia to withdraw from the program.
WHRO · Wed, Oct 14, 2026
The Chesapeake School Board voted overwhelmingly to support Virginia taking part in the Federal Tax Scholarship Program, rejecting a request from the Chesapeake Education Association to oppose it. The federal program offers a dollar-for-dollar tax credit of up to
Virginia Department of Education · Thu, Oct 8, 2026
The Virginia Department of Education's October 8, 2026 update reports that results from the second year of the School Performance and Support Framework, covering more than 1,800 elementary, middle and high schools for 2025-26, show steady growth. Virginia schools grew roughly 5 points on average between 2025 and 2026, with many Title I schools showing significant progress. The state also reports that 99.7% of schools are now fully accredited and three in four schools reduced chronic absenteeism. The update announces a
Virginia Mercury · Wed, Sep 16, 2026
King George County Schools will now let sixth- through eighth-grade students form non-curricular clubs, including a Gay-Straight Alliance, after the school board settled a lawsuit brought by two students' families. The suit alleged the board blocked the proposed GSA last August after community concerns that it was not "age-appropriate." The settlement reverses the board's ban on such groups at the middle school. The district also updated its policy so parents must give written permission before their child joins a club, with a signed form required to start one. If King George Middle School does not approve a GSA proposal submitted under the new policy, the families' lawyers say they will refile the lawsuit.
Virginia Mercury · Fri, Aug 28, 2026
Virginia parents, former educators and advocates are urging state leaders, including the Board of Education, to set statewide guidelines for the digital tools students use in schools. Their draft policy would prioritize distraction-free learning, physical books, writing and face-to-face interaction, and would create a statewide framework for approving and overseeing digital products. It would also give students and caregivers the right to opt out of digital products and protect teachers who choose to teach without devices. Advocates, including DMV Unplugged, cite concerns about students accessing graphic material on school devices and avoiding classmates. Sen. Schyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, plans to introduce a model policy when the General Assembly session begins in January.
Dogwood · Wed, Aug 26, 2026
Before leaving office, former Gov. Glenn Youngkin opted Virginia into the federal Educational Choice for Children Act, making Virginia the first state to join this new federal school voucher program. Critics estimate the program could cost the state's public schools up to $956 million a year. Youngkin has since launched a national policy group to promote the law, which opponents say would harm Virginia's most vulnerable students while disproportionately benefiting the wealthiest families. Gov. Abigail Spanberger, who campaigned against diverting money from public education, has until 2027 to decide whether Virginia should back out.
Richmond Magazine · Mon, Aug 10, 2026
When COVID-19 closed Virginia schools in 2020, many families looked for other options. Virginia's public schools lost 45,000 students, or 3.5%, and the number of homeschoolers rose 48%, from 44,226 in fall 2019 to 65,571 in fall 2020, according to Weldon Cooper Center data. Many of these families joined small cohorts that grew into microschools, which parents can choose based on teaching philosophy. Microschools are largely unregulated in Virginia, and private schools can seek accreditation through the Virginia Council for Private Education. Tom Shields, a University of Richmond education professor, says choice is not a bad thing when it includes civil rights protections for children, but that it is not necessarily good when used to undermine neighborhood schools.
Virginia Department of Education · Fri, Jul 31, 2026
The Virginia Department of Education is asking all parents of school-aged children and youth with disabilities who receive special education services to complete its annual Special Education Parent Involvement Survey, which remains open through December 11, 2026. Families should complete one survey for each child receiving services through the 2025-26 school year, and the survey is also available in six additional languages. Questions can go to Dr. Chiquita Seaborne at 804-418-4672. The notice also lists free virtual trainings from PEATC and VDOE that families can start at any time during the open period. The Virginia Educational Hub for Sensory Disabilities invites families of children from birth to 21 who are blind or vision impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, and/or deafblind to its Family Summit on August 30, 2026, in Midlothian, where registration is required.
Virginia Department of Education · Thu, Jul 16, 2026
This Virginia Department of Education update from July 16, 2026, covers several statewide items for school leaders. The Commission on Early Childhood Care and Education held its first meeting of the year, and VDOE's Summer of Learning is well underway. School divisions can apply for the 2026-2027 School Security Equipment Grant between July 1 and August 1, 2026, through the VDOE SSWS portal, with awards up to 50,000. VDOE will not open a Literary Fund loan application window during the 2026-2028 biennium. Division leaders also have until August 28 to take a survey on the Profile of a Virginia Graduate, and school-age population estimates are open for review until September 30, 2026.
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