How to Obtain a Religious Exemption for School in Virginia (example letter included)
When it comes to freedom of education, the religious exemption is what you’re going to want to look into. With this exemption, you are completely disconnected from the state of Virginia when it comes to the education of your children.
Unlike the homeschooling laws, having a religious exemption removes the annual testing and notification requirements, making this the ultimate option for education and freedom.
In Virginia, one unique avenue for families seeking to educate their children outside the public school system is the religious exemption. This provision allows parents to opt out of compulsory public education laws on the basis of sincere religious beliefs. In this article, I will explain the legal framework, steps to apply for a religious exemption, and how it empowers families to take control of their children’s education.
Legal Framework for Religious Exemptions in Virginia
The legal basis for religious exemptions in Virginia is outlined in § 22.1-254(B)(1) of the Code of Virginia, commonly referred to as the compulsory attendance law. This law requires school-age children to attend public school, private school, or be homeschooled. However, it also provides an exemption for families with genuine religious objections to conventional education.
The relevant portion of the law states:
“A school board shall excuse from attendance at school any pupil whose parent, together with such pupil, if he or she is of sufficient age and capacity to form an intelligent opinion on the subject, is conscientiously opposed to attendance at school by reason of bona fide religious training or belief.”
The law explicitly protects families whose objections are rooted in “bona fide religious training or belief” and not based on personal, philosophical, or political reasons. It emphasizes the need for genuine religious convictions.
This means that you can not obtain an exemption if your reasons are political. You must have a legitimate religious reason so when you write your letter, make sure it;s not political!
Steps to Obtain a Religious Exemption in Virginia
If you are considering pursuing a religious exemption for your child, follow these steps:
1. Assess Your Beliefs
Before proceeding, ensure your reasons for seeking an exemption are grounded in sincere religious convictions. The exemption is designed for families who believe that traditional schooling conflicts with their religious principles.
Find some bible verses to back up your claims and prepare statement that includes that verses.
2. Prepare a Statement of Religious Beliefs
Write a detailed, heartfelt statement explaining your religious beliefs and how they conflict with public education. This document should:
- Clearly articulate your faith-based objections to public schooling.
- Show how going to school will make your children sin.
- Provide examples of how your beliefs guide your family’s approach to education.
3. Submit a Letter to Your Local School Board
Send a formal letter to your local school board, requesting a religious exemption. Include:
- Your statement of religious beliefs.
- Your child’s name and age.
- Any supporting documentation that reinforces the sincerity of your beliefs (optional but helpful).
- Include portions and quotes from the law.
- Email and hand deliver the letter.
4. Attend a School Board Meeting (If Required)
Some school boards may request an in-person meeting or hearing to discuss your exemption request. Be prepared to:
- Answer questions about your beliefs.
- Demonstrate your commitment to providing an alternative form of education for your child.
5. Receive Approval
Once the school board reviews your application and determines that your religious convictions are genuine, they will grant the exemption. You should receive a formal letter confirming your child is excused from compulsory attendance.
6. Take Responsibility for Your Child’s Education
After obtaining the exemption, you have complete freedom to educate your child as you see fit. Many families choose homeschooling or other non-traditional educational paths that align with their values and beliefs.
The Freedom of Religious Exemption
One of the most powerful aspects of Virginia’s religious exemption is the unparalleled freedom it grants to families. Unlike other education options, a religious exemption:
- Eliminates oversight: Families are not required to submit curriculum plans, testing scores, or progress reports.
- Fosters autonomy: Parents have complete control over their child’s education, allowing for a tailored approach that aligns with their faith and values.
- Protects religious liberty: It upholds the First Amendment rights of families to live and educate their children according to their beliefs.
For families with strong religious convictions, this exemption ensures that the state cannot interfere with their deeply held values or impose an education system contrary to their faith.
Example Letter
Below is the letter that I sent to the Augusta County school board asking that my children be excused from public school per Virginia code 22.1-245.
The laws states that “A school board shall excuse from attendance at school”, “Any pupil who, together with his parents, by reason of bona fide religious training or belief is conscientiously opposed to attendance at school. For purposes of this subdivision, “bona fide religious training or belief” does not include essentially political, sociological or philosophical views or a merely personal moral code”.
Your children will sin because of attending school and you can have them excused from school all together with a religious exception that the school board is required to grant.
A religious exemption excusing your child from attending public school provides the most freedom for home-schoolers and cuts the cords to both local and state government involvement.
Feel free to copy and paste my religious exemption letter below. Send this letter to ever school board member and your district’s superintendent. They will then vote on it during a private school board session. Remember, the law says the school board “shall” excuse…..there is no wiggle room here.
Dear [School District Name] School Board, My family moved to Augusta County in March of 2021. We are a Christian family and follow Christian values and try to live lives as Jesus would have if he were alive today. By reason of bona fide religious belief, we are conscientiously opposed to sending our child to school. We have sincere convictions against sending our child to school and feel that school will cause our child to sin. Sending our child to school will not only cause our child to sin and but will also will cause our child to fall away from God. 2 Timothy chapter 2 verse 21 clearly states ‘If you stay away from sin you will be like one of these dishes made of purest gold—the very best in the house—so that Christ himself can use you for his highest purposes’. 2 Timothy chapter 2 verse 22 says ‘Now flee from youthful lusts’ Romans chapter 16 verse 17 says ‘Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them’ Our beliefs are religious and they are bona fide. We are making this claim for religious exemption according to Virginia law § 22.1-254 and ask for a response in support of this claim. Respectfully, [sign letter]
Conclusion
Obtaining a religious exemption in Virginia is a powerful way for families to align their children’s education with their faith and values. By leveraging this legal provision, you gain the ultimate freedom to guide your child’s learning journey without external interference. For those whose beliefs make traditional education incompatible with their convictions, this path offers a unique opportunity to create a truly personalized and faith-centered educational experience.
