Virginia families searching for an accredited online school have strong options, but quality varies widely between programs. A private online school with recognized accreditation, certified teachers, and small class sizes can give your child a genuine educational advantage over large-scale virtual programs that treat students as numbers.
Score Academy Online offers Cognia and SACS CASI dual accreditation, live instruction in classes of no more than six students per teacher, and individualized education plans for every student in grades 6 through 12.
Virginia's education laws give families real flexibility when it comes to choosing how their children learn. Understanding those laws, knowing what accreditation means for your child's transcript, and evaluating what different programs actually deliver will help you make the right decision.
Virginia's compulsory attendance law is one of the broadest in the country. Under § 22.1-254 of the Code of Virginia, every child who turns five on or before September 30 of the school year and has not yet turned 18 must attend school. Families can meet this requirement through public school, a private or denominational school, approved home instruction, or a qualified tutor.
Enrolling in an accredited private online school satisfies Virginia's compulsory attendance requirement. The state does not impose specific curriculum mandates on private schools, which gives families considerable freedom. However, that same freedom means parents need to verify quality on their own. An accreditation from a respected body like Cognia is the most reliable way to confirm that a school meets rigorous academic standards.
For families currently homeschooling in Virginia, the transition to a private online school can simplify things significantly. Virginia homeschool families must submit an annual notice of intent to their local school division and either show standardized test results or a portfolio evaluation each year. When a student enrolls in an accredited private school, those annual reporting obligations shift to the school.
Accreditation tells you whether a school has been independently evaluated and found to meet established standards for curriculum, teacher credentials, and student outcomes. Without it, a diploma may not be recognized by colleges, the NCAA, employers, or even other schools if your child needs to transfer.
Score Academy Online holds dual accreditation from Cognia and SACS CASI, which means transcripts and diplomas are recognized by universities across the country, including Virginia's public and private institutions. The school is also NCAA-approved, which matters for any student athlete hoping to compete at the collegiate level. If you're still learning about why accreditation matters, our guide on accredited online school programs covers it in depth.
Virginia is home to some of the most competitive colleges in the country, from the University of Virginia to Virginia Tech to William & Mary. Admissions offices at these schools expect transcripts from accredited institutions. Starting your child in a school without proper accreditation could create unnecessary barriers when college applications come around.
The biggest differentiator between online schools isn't technology or flashy marketing. It's the quality of instruction and the size of the learning environment. A 2023 meta-analysis published in Sustainability examined data from over 93,000 participants across 148 studies and found that student engagement is significantly influenced by factors including instructor interaction, learning community, and course structure (Zheng et al., 2023). In other words, how much attention a student gets from a real teacher matters enormously.
This is where programs like Score Academy Online stand apart. With class sizes capped at six students, every learner gets the kind of direct, consistent teacher interaction that research links to better outcomes. Each student receives an individualized education plan that adjusts pacing and focus based on their strengths and areas for growth. That's a very different experience from virtual public school programs where one teacher may be managing dozens of students at once.
Beyond class size, parents should look for curriculum depth. Does the school offer honors and AP-level coursework? Are electives available? Can a student build a transcript that demonstrates readiness for competitive college admissions? For a broader look at what sets private online schools apart, see our article on private online schools: benefits, costs, and what to know.
Online school isn't a fit for every student, but it's the right fit for more families than most people expect. Imagine a student in Virginia Beach who competes nationally in swimming and needs a schedule that bends around six hours of daily training. Or consider a military family at Joint Base Langley-Eustis preparing for their third relocation in four years. An online school provides educational continuity that no single brick-and-mortar school can match.
Students dealing with anxiety, bullying, or chronic health challenges often thrive in the online environment because they can learn without the social pressures and logistical obstacles of a traditional school building. Gifted students who are bored and unchallenged in their current setting also benefit from the ability to move at their own pace through more advanced material.
Virginia families in rural areas, where nearby school options may be limited, find that a private online school opens doors that geography would otherwise keep closed. Whether your student is in middle school or approaching senior year, the program adapts to where they are and where they're headed. For more on how this works for athletes specifically, see our article on online high school for student athletes.
If your child is currently enrolled in a Virginia public school, you'll need to formally withdraw them by contacting the school and completing the required paperwork. Virginia does not require school board approval for a family to leave public school. You simply notify the school, confirm your child's new enrollment, and the process is complete.
For homeschool families, you'll close out your current home instruction notice with your school division once your child is enrolled in the private online school. The school then assumes responsibility for attendance records, assessments, and transcript documentation.
Mid-year transfers are also possible with most private online schools. If your student is struggling in their current setting and you don't want to wait until the next academic year, a school with rolling enrollment can get them started quickly. Our article on how online school works walks through what a typical day looks like so you can set expectations before making the move.
Enrollment at Score Academy Online starts with an application and a conversation with the admissions team about your student's academic history, goals, and any specific needs. From there, the school builds a plan tailored to your child. With approximately $15,000 per year in tuition plus registration and technology fees, it's an investment, but one that comes with certified teachers, individualized attention, and a diploma that carries weight anywhere your child applies.
Virginia families from Northern Virginia to Hampton Roads to the Shenandoah Valley are discovering that an accredited online school can offer something their local options can't: a truly personalized education built around their child.
Is online private school legal in Virginia? Yes. Virginia's compulsory attendance law allows families to satisfy the attendance requirement through enrollment in a private school, which includes accredited private online schools. There are no additional state approvals needed beyond formal enrollment.
What ages does Virginia's compulsory attendance law cover? Virginia requires school attendance for children who turn five on or before September 30 of the school year through age 18. This is one of the widest compulsory attendance windows in the United States, covering most students from kindergarten through high school graduation.
Will Virginia colleges accept an online school diploma? Yes, provided the online school holds recognized accreditation. Score Academy Online's Cognia and SACS CASI accreditation means its transcripts are accepted by Virginia public universities, private colleges, and institutions nationwide.
How do I withdraw my child from Virginia public school? Contact your child's current school to complete the withdrawal process. Virginia does not require school board permission for a family to leave public school. Once the withdrawal paperwork is complete and your child is enrolled in their new school, the transition is finalized.
Does Score Academy Online serve Virginia middle school students? Yes. Score Academy Online offers a full academic program for grades 6 through 12, covering both middle school and high school. The school does not serve elementary-aged students.
Can Virginia student athletes attend online school and still play NCAA sports? Yes. Score Academy Online is NCAA-approved, which means student athletes can maintain eligibility for collegiate athletics while attending the school. This is an important consideration for competitive athletes in Virginia who need schedule flexibility for training.
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