Comparison of Educational Options in Virginia*

Safety of Child

Religious Content/ Worldview

Testing/Advancement

Public School

Low; most incidents of violence against school-aged children have happened in or around public schools.

No biblical worldview teaching is allowed; however, other beliefs are brought in through school materials, teachers, and other children.

The Commonwealth of Virginia mandates SOL (Standards of Learning) tests as benchmarks for each child. Advancement is determined by the teacher.

Charter School

Low/Medium; most charter schools have fewer incidents of crimes than public schools.

No biblical worldview teaching is allowed; however, other beliefs are brought in through school materials, teachers, and other children.

The Commonwealth of Virginia mandates SOL (Standards of Learning) tests as benchmarks for each child. Other standardized tests may be added. Advancement is determined by teacher.

Virtual Schools:
Public School at Home

Highest; child is with parents during the day.

No biblical worldview teaching is allowed; however other beliefs are brought in through school materials. Parents may add their own religious material, but they may not remove any material in lesson plans.

The Commonwealth of Virginia mandates SOL (Standards of Learning) tests as benchmarks for each child. Other standardized tests may be added. Advancement is determined by public school teacher overseeing program.

Part-time Public School

Mixed; safety is low while child is at public school and high while child is at home. (See Public School and Independent Homeschool boxes.)

No biblical worldview teaching allowed in public school. Other beliefs are brought in through school materials, teachers, and other children. Parents may add their own religious material at home.

Yearly standardized achievement test or independent evaluation is given to comply with homeschool law. Child must score in or above 4th stanine. Advancement is determined by parent.

Private School

Low/Medium; most private schools have fewer incidents of crimes than public schools.

Varied; worldview depends on the school chosen. The school controls religious teaching.

Testing varies by each school. Advancement is determined by teacher and/or board.

Independent Homeschool
§22.1-254.1

Highest; child is with parents during the day.

Greatest freedom; parents may incorporate their own worldview. Bible may be made center of curriculum.

Yearly standardized achievement test, portfolio, or independent evaluation is required if under the homeschool statute. When using standardized achievement tests, child must score in our above the 4th stanine. Advancement is determined by parent.