While all parents have the choice to teach their children at home rather than enrolling them in the public school system, they also need to be aware of the following duties and requirements set forth by the Virgin Islands Board of Education’s Home Instruction Policy, Dr. Sarah Mahurt, Deputy Commissioner for Curriculum and Instruction, said Monday.
Home instruction in the territory is governed by provisions in the V.I. Code that require parents or guardians to send children over five years old and under 18 years old to school regularly, or to educate them at home.
In order to home school a child, however, the following is required in accordance with the Virgin Islands Board of Education’s policy:
1. Parents shall file with the Commissioner of Education a “Notice of Intent: Instruction of Student at Home” form. The Notice of Intent will be effective for up to one (1) year.
2. Filing of a Notice of Intent must occur within ten (10) days of the start of the home instruction program.
3. A parent, by filing a Notice of Intent, acknowledges full responsibility for the education of their child in accordance with the requirements of the Virgin Islands law.
Receipt of a Notice of Intent in no way constitutes approval by the Department of Education of a program of home instruction.
Parents who wish to instruct their children at home need to complete the Notice of Intent form that can be obtained from the Department’s State Office of Curriculum and Instruction, located at 1834 Kongens Gade, St. Thomas or 2133 Hospital Street on St. St. Croix. Letter of Intent forms are also available on the Department of Education’s website at www.doe.vi and the Virgin Islands Board of Education’s website www.myviboe.com.
