Virginia Beach K-12 Online Home SchoolWhere the Atlantic Meets the Classroom Virginia Beach is Virginia’s largest city, a place where military families rotate through every few years, tourism drives a third of the local economy, and 65,000 students fill the public school system. Not every family fits that system. High School of America is an accredited, self-paced K-12 online home school that works around your family’s life, whether you are stationed at NAS Oceana, working the Oceanfront in peak season, or raising kids in Sandbridge who learn better at their own pace. K-12All Grades
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K-12 Courses for Virginia Beach Students
Virginia Beach families searching for accredited online education join thousands of others across the Commonwealth through our Virginia K-12 Online Home School program. The accreditation, certified teachers, and enrollment support described there apply equally to Virginia Beach students.
Every grade level, kindergarten through 12th grade, is taught by certified teachers who provide feedback, grade assignments, and adjust instruction when something is not clicking. The curriculum is self-paced. A 4th grader in Great Neck who reads two grades ahead moves forward without waiting. A 7th grader in Kempsville who needs extra time in pre-algebra gets it without falling behind on a bell schedule.
Elementary
Elementary (K-5)Virginia’s compulsory attendance begins at age 5. HSOA covers phonics-based reading, math foundations, science exploration, and social studies through interactive lessons. Every course has a certified teacher behind it. Explore: Kindergarten | Elementary Overview |
Middle School
Middle School (6-8)Study habits form here. Self-paced learning lets students who excel push ahead while students who need more time get it without stigma. Core subjects plus exploratory electives. Browse: 6th Grade | 7th Grade | 8th Grade |
High School
High School (9-12)Students earn a 24-credit accredited diploma accepted by Virginia colleges, employers, and the military as Tier 1. Full course catalog includes college-prep math, lab sciences, and electives. See: 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th Grade | All Courses |
Questions about course placement or credits for your Virginia Beach student?
Built for Virginia Beach Military Families
Virginia Beach is a military city. Three major installations sit within city limits, and more than 30,000 military and civilian personnel report to work across them every day. Military children move on average every 2.9 years. Each move means a new school, new teachers, new transcripts, and credits that may or may not transfer. Online school removes that cycle entirely.
When your family enrolls in High School of America, the school travels with you. A PCS from Virginia Beach to San Diego, Guam, or Camp Lejeune changes nothing about your student’s coursework, transcript, or graduation timeline. Mid-year enrollment is open any day of the year. No waiting for a semester to start. The diploma is accredited and recognized as military Tier 1, which matters for ROTC, service academy applications, and enlistment eligibility.
At Ocean Lakes Elementary alone, 42% of families have military connections. School Liaison Officers at NAS Oceana and Little Creek can point you to base-specific homeschool support groups. Deployment seasons add stress. Self-paced coursework means students adjust their academic load around the realities of military life without falling behind or losing credits.
A School That Fits Coastal Life
Virginia Beach welcomed 14.3 million visitors in 2024, generating $3.9 billion in economic impact. Tourism sustains 33,836 jobs, roughly 19% of the city’s workforce. Those families do not work 9-to-5, Monday through Friday. Summer is peak season for parents in hospitality, food service, retail, and entertainment along the Oceanfront, the boardwalk, and resort areas stretching from Sandbridge to Chic’s Beach.
Self-paced online school means your student can complete lessons in the morning and join family at the beach in the afternoon. A parent working late shifts during tourist season does not have to worry about missing school drop-off or pickup. Students can study during a parent’s off-season downtime and accelerate through coursework when the house is quieter.
Virginia Beach families chose this city for a reason: ocean access, outdoor lifestyle, year-round recreation. A rigid school schedule works against that lifestyle. HSOA lets families take advantage of uncrowded weekday mornings at the beach, Tuesday surf sessions, and family time that does not compete with homework due at 8 AM tomorrow. This is not a gimmick. It is the actual lived experience of coastal Virginia families who choose flexible education.
How to Homeschool in Virginia Beach
Virginia gives families two legal routes for home education, and both are available to Virginia Beach residents. The process is straightforward, but the details matter. Here is what you need to know.
The Notice of Intent (Home Instruction, Section 22.1-254.1)
Most Virginia Beach homeschool families use this path. You file a Notice of Intent with the Virginia Beach City Public Schools division by August 15 each year. The NOI names your child, states your qualification, and describes your curriculum. Enrolling in an accredited program like High School of America satisfies the curriculum qualification automatically.
Virginia requires 180 instruction days or 990 hours per year. By August 1 of the following year, you submit evidence of academic progress: a standardized test where your child scores at or above the 4th stanine, or a written evaluation from a qualified evaluator who reviews a portfolio of your student’s work. HSOA coursework, transcripts, and assessment records serve as strong evidence of progress.
Contact for Virginia Beach home instruction filings: homeinstruction@vbschools.com or (757) 263-2033.
Religious Exemption (Section 22.1-254)
Virginia is the only state that offers a full religious exemption from compulsory attendance. A parent writes a letter to the chairman of the Virginia Beach School Board explaining that school attendance conflicts with their sincere religious beliefs. Once approved, the family has no further obligations: no annual filings, no mandated curriculum, no testing, no portfolio submissions. Families who hold a religious exemption and still want an accredited transcript for college applications often enroll in HSOA alongside the exemption.
What VBCPS Does Not Offer Homeschoolers
Virginia Beach City Public Schools explicitly states that homeschooled students are not permitted part-time enrollment or extracurricular participation. The VHSL also blocks homeschoolers from interscholastic sports at public schools. This means families who homeschool in Virginia Beach need a complete solution, not a hybrid approach. HSOA replaces the need for public school access entirely: accredited diploma with full credit requirements, certified teachers, transcript, and college-prep coursework.
Questions about the NOI process or how accredited enrollment works with Virginia law? Call (888) 242-4262.
College Pathways from Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach families have a clear post-graduation pipeline, and it starts right here in Hampton Roads.
Tidewater Community College (TCC)
TCC has a campus in Virginia Beach and ranks #5 in Military Times “Best for Vets” among two-year schools. One-third of its enrollment is military-connected. Dual enrollment is open to homeschool juniors and seniors through the Commonwealth Dual Enrollment Pathways Program. HSOA students can begin earning college credits before they finish their high school diploma.
Old Dominion University (ODU)
Norfolk-based ODU is the major four-year research university in Hampton Roads. The TCC-to-ODU Monarch Ready Program provides an accelerated transfer pathway. An accredited HSOA transcript gives your student the same application standing as any brick-and-mortar graduate.
Regent University
Located right in Virginia Beach, Regent has been ranked #1 for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs in Virginia for 14 consecutive years. With 60 online undergraduate programs and 8-week course formats, it is a natural next step for students already comfortable with online learning.
Virginia Wesleyan, ECPI University, and the broader Virginia community college system round out the options. The point is simple: an accredited HSOA diploma opens every door that a public school diploma opens. Discuss Your Student’s College Plan
How the Platform Works
Virginia Beach sits in one of the best-connected metro areas on the East Coast. Cox, Verizon Fios, and Starlink all serve the city. Connectivity is not the obstacle it once was, and the HSOA learning platform is built to work on laptops, tablets, and phones.
Your student logs in and picks up exactly where they left off. Every lesson, grade, and completed assignment is saved. No lost papers. No guessing what chapter they were on. Students across all grade levels move through curriculum at a pace that matches their readiness and their schedule.
What students get:
- Self-paced coursework available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- Direct access to certified teachers through scheduled office hours and assignment feedback
- Progress tracking built into every course
What parents see:
- Real-time grade updates as assignments are submitted and reviewed
- Lesson completion data showing which subjects are on track
- Teacher notes and communication logs
A student can complete a Biology lesson on a desktop in the morning and review teacher feedback on a phone after afternoon swim practice at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. A 3rd grader who finishes early on Wednesday can jump ahead. A 10th grader training for a surf competition adjusts their schedule that week and catches up the next. Browse individual courses or call (888) 242-4262 to walk through how enrollment works.
A Diploma That Holds Up Everywhere
High School of America is nationally accredited. The diploma and transcripts are accepted by Virginia community colleges, four-year universities including ODU, Virginia Tech, JMU, UVA, VCU, and William and Mary, and employers across the Commonwealth. The accredited transcript includes course titles, grades, credits, and GPA, which is exactly what college admissions offices require.
Military-connected students also benefit from the diploma’s Tier 1 recognition for ROTC, service academy applications, and enlistment eligibility. For Virginia Beach families weighing their options, the diploma question is settled: accredited means accepted.
Apply to High School of America Request Enrollment Information
Virginia Beach Home School: Frequently Asked Questions
Is High School of America accredited for Virginia Beach students?
Yes. High School of America is nationally accredited. The diploma and transcripts are recognized by Virginia colleges, employers, and the military. Enrolling in an accredited online program also satisfies Virginia’s Home Instruction curriculum requirement under Section 22.1-254.1. Call (888) 242-4262 with accreditation questions.
Do I still file a Notice of Intent with VBCPS if I enroll in HSOA?
If you use the Home Instruction pathway, yes. File with VBCPS by August 15 each year. Enrollment in HSOA satisfies the “approved curriculum” component. If your family holds a religious exemption, no annual filing is required.
Can military families at NAS Oceana use HSOA during a PCS?
Absolutely. Because HSOA is online and self-paced, a PCS from Virginia Beach to any other duty station does not interrupt coursework. The transcript and graduation timeline stay intact. Military families can enroll mid-year at any time.
Can Virginia Beach homeschoolers play public school sports?
No. VBCPS explicitly blocks homeschooled students from part-time enrollment and extracurricular participation. The VHSL requires enrollment in at least five courses at a participating school for athletic eligibility. Virginia Beach homeschool families who want organized sports participate through community leagues, club teams, and homeschool co-op athletic programs.
Does my student have to take Virginia SOL tests?
No. SOL tests are required for public school students only. Home-instructed students must show evidence of academic progress through a standardized test of the parent’s choosing (4th stanine or above) or a portfolio evaluation by a qualified evaluator. HSOA coursework and transcripts serve as evidence of progress.
Can HSOA students do dual enrollment at Tidewater Community College?
Yes. TCC offers dual enrollment for homeschool juniors and seniors through the Commonwealth Dual Enrollment Pathways Program. HSOA students can begin earning college credits before finishing their high school diploma. Contact TCC’s Virginia Beach campus for enrollment details.
How much does HSOA cost?
High School of America has plans to fit any family’s budget, including big discounts on pay-in-full enrollment. Tuition details are best discussed with a counselor who can walk through your family’s specific situation. Call (888) 242-4262 or visit the admissions page.
Is HSOA self-paced? Can my student work ahead?
Yes to both. Students log in and complete coursework on their own schedule. No mandatory live class sessions. No bell schedule. A student who finishes Algebra I in three months moves straight into Geometry. Year-round enrollment means you can start any day of the year.
5.0 out of 5
Based on parent, alumni, and staff reviews on
“I enrolled in the High School of America after not enjoying the traditional high school experience. I searched for a good online option, and the High School of America was the first one that seemed worth my time/money. With a reasonable, self-paced curriculum, I was able to earn my diploma. I am now pursuing higher education, and the staff at High School of America has been instrumental in helping me throughout this process. If you struggle with anxiety, this is a perfect school for you.”
“Our experience with High School of America has been truly transformative. We were looking for an alternative to the rigid schedule of traditional schools, and HSOA delivered on the ‘Anywhere, Anytime’ promise perfectly.”
The diploma is accredited and accepted by Virginia Beach area colleges including TCC, ODU, and Regent University. Not sure if this is the right fit? Read our guide for students and parents.
Your Virginia Beach Education Starts Here
Accredited. Self-paced. Year-round. Kindergarten through 12th grade. One school that works whether you live in Great Neck, Kempsville, Princess Anne, or the Oceanfront.
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