Why 2026-27 is different in the valley
Until this year, a Charleston child had to come out of public school to use Hope, apart from kindergarteners. That rule is gone. Because Hope participation stayed under 5% of public enrollment, the program became universal on July 1, 2026, and children who have been at Sacred Heart, Teays Valley Christian or the kitchen table all along can now apply. Across the state, 26,617 students applied for full funding for 2026-27, nearly double the year before.
What the account holds and when it arrives
A full year is $5,435.62. The Board deposits it in quarters on Aug 15, Oct 15, Jan 15 and Apr 15, and each deposit needs an approved application and a Notice of Intent on file with the county by the cutoff (Aug 1, Oct 1, Jan 2 and Apr 1). A new family applying between Sep 16 and Nov 30, 2026 is funded at 50%, which is $2,717.81, paid in the remaining deposits.
How a local family applies
Start with the county board of education to get the child's WVEIS number; Kanawha, Putnam, Boone, Lincoln and Clay each issue their own. Gather a state or county birth certificate and proof of West Virginia residence, then apply at hopescholarshipwv.gov. Once the application is Eligible, file the Hope Notice of Intent with the county superintendent. A family leaving traditional homeschool also files a notice ending that exemption, because Hope is a separate exemption in law.
Two pathways: participating school or IIP
A child at a private school that has signed up with the Board is a participating nonpublic school student, and tuition is paid from the account. A child learning at home, in a learning pod, in a microschool or through an online program follows an Individualized Instructional Plan (IIP), and the family directs the money to approved providers. Both pathways have yearly reporting: schools confirm attendance, and IIP families submit test results or a portfolio review by June 8.
What it buys besides tuition
The Board's handbook lists tutoring, therapies, curriculum, technology, nonpublic online programs, microschool tuition, dual credit, exam fees, required uniforms, lunch at a participating school and more. It also lists what it will not pay for, including home internet, travel sports, field-trip travel and gift cards. Unspent money rolls into the next year if the family files its Continued Participation Confirmation by June 15.
Where Charleston families get stuck
The most common local delays are a missing WVEIS number, a hospital birth certificate instead of a state one, and a Notice of Intent filed after the deposit cutoff. Another is assuming a school takes Hope because a friend's child uses it there; check the Board's list and ask the school office. Families with a student in public school should know that full-time public enrollment and Hope cannot overlap, although Hope can buy individual public school classes.
Charleston-area schools and microschools on the Hope list (20)
| School | Type | Community | Grades | Hope list | Students* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bible Center School Charleston · from published lists only | Christian Schools | Charleston | Not reported | On the list | — |
| Calvary Baptist Academy 3655 Teays Valley Rd, Hurricane 25526 | Christian Schools Baptist | Putnam County | K-12 | On the list | 211 |
| Charleston Catholic High School 1033 Virginia St. E, Charleston 25301 | Catholic Schools | Charleston | 6-12 | On the list | 365 |
| Charleston Montessori 3410 Virginia St. SE, Charleston 25304 | Independent Schools | Charleston | PK-6 | On the list | 62 |
| Christian Faith Academy 93 Randy Hager Ln, Madison 25130 | Christian Schools Christian (no specific denomination) | Boone, Lincoln & Clay Counties | K-12 | On the list | 49 |
| Cross Lanes Christian School 5330 Floradale Dr., Cross Lanes 25313 | Christian Schools Christian (no specific denomination) | St. Albans, Nitro & Cross Lanes | K-12 | On the list | 279 |
| Crusade Christian Academy Dunbar · from published lists only | Christian Schools | South Charleston & Dunbar | Not reported | On the list | — |
| Elk Valley Christian School 58 Mount Pleasant Dr., Elkview 25071 | Christian Schools Baptist | Elk Valley & Upper Kanawha | PK-12 | On the list | 131 |
| IAWV Elementary School 1 Valley Dr., South Charleston 25303 | Jewish & Islamic Schools Islamic | South Charleston & Dunbar | PK-6 | On the list | 40 |
| Kanawha Valley Academy of Learning South Charleston · from published lists only | Independent Schools | South Charleston & Dunbar | Not reported | On the list | — |
| Lighthouse of Learning Education South Charleston · from published lists only | Independent Schools | South Charleston & Dunbar | Not reported | On the list | — |
| Mountaineer Montessori School 308 20th St. SE, Charleston 25304 | Independent Schools | Charleston | PK-8 | On the list | 139 |
| New Hope Christian School 525 1st Ave Ste B, South Charleston 25303 | Christian Schools Baptist | South Charleston & Dunbar | K-12 | On the list | 18 |
| Overflow Forest School Clendenin · from published lists only | Independent Schools | Elk Valley & Upper Kanawha | Not reported | On the list | — |
| Sacred Heart Grade School 1035 Quarrier St., Charleston 25301 | Catholic Schools | Charleston | PK-5 | On the list | 206 |
| St. Francis of Assisi 525 Holley St., St. Albans 25177 | Catholic Schools | St. Albans, Nitro & Cross Lanes | PK-5 | On the list | 111 |
| Tabernacle Christian Academy St. Albans · from published lists only | Christian Schools | St. Albans, Nitro & Cross Lanes | Not reported | On the list | — |
| Teays Valley Christian School 6562 Teays Valley Rd, Scott Depot 25560 | Christian Schools | Putnam County | K-12 | On the list | 224 |
| The Copper Penny Schoolhouse St. Albans · from published lists only | Independent Schools | St. Albans, Nitro & Cross Lanes | Not reported | On the list | — |
| Vandalia Microschool South Charleston · from published lists only | Independent Schools | South Charleston & Dunbar | Not reported | On the list | — |
* Enrollment reported to the NCES Private School Survey (2023-24 or 2021-22). "Hope list" means the school appears on the published Hope Scholarship participating-school list (Oct 2026).
Next step
Take the short funding check. A School Funding Advisor will confirm your Hope tier, the deposit dates that apply to you and any tuition help your school offers.
Common questions
What paperwork does a Putnam County family need before applying for Hope?
A Putnam County family needs the child's WVEIS number from Putnam County Schools, a state or county birth certificate (not a hospital certificate) and proof of West Virginia residence before applying for the Hope Scholarship. After the Hope application shows Eligible, the family files a Hope Notice of Intent with the Putnam County superintendent so the account can be funded.
Can a Clay County student take one public school class while using the Hope Scholarship?
Yes. A Clay County student cannot be enrolled full-time in public school and receive the Hope Scholarship at the same time, but the Hope Scholarship can pay a county school system for individual classes and extracurricular services. County boards of education become authorized Hope providers once they sign the provider agreement, so the family should ask Clay County Schools whether it has.
What does a Charleston homeschool family report each year under the Hope Scholarship?
A Charleston homeschool family on the Hope Scholarship's IIP pathway reports academic progress each year by June 8, using standardized test results or a certified teacher's portfolio review that shows progress for the child's age and ability. Missing the Hope Scholarship reporting deadline can affect continued eligibility, so families should schedule the test or review in spring.