Comparison of Educational Options in Virginia*

Parental Control
Over Schedule

Family Involvement

Public School

Low; government/school board sets all aspects of schedule. 

Low; parents may be involved in classroom, but teacher/school controls involvement. In most cases, no other family members are included.

Charter School

Low; government/school board sets all aspects of schedule.

Low; parents may be involved in classroom but teacher/school controls involvement. In most cases, no other family members are included.

Virtual Schools: Public School
at Home

Medium; assignments must be done on time, but parents can decide daily schedule.

Medium/High; whole family can learn together and some classes can be taught together.

Part-time
Public School

Medium/Low; parents must plan day around public school hours to fit in home-teaching time.

Mixed; family involvement depends on number of hours in public school. (See Public School and Independent Homeschool boxes.)

Private School

Low; private schools have differing policies, but schedule is still set by the school.

Low; parents may be involved in classroom, but teacher/school controls involvement. In most cases, no other family members are included.

Independent Homeschool
§22.1-254.1

Highest; parents are in full control of the schedule.

Highest; classes can be set up for the entire family. Older children can help work with younger children, and extended family members can be included.