Homeschool benefits and savings in Jefferson County
Jefferson County Parks & Recreation Commission (JCPRC) scholarships take 25%, 50%, or 75% off class, program, and camp fees based on household income and size, up to $200 in retail value each fiscal year. Jefferson County residents qualify by income, with no school requirement, so a homeschool family applies the same way as any other.
Who qualifies
Lives in Jefferson County
The program is for Jefferson County residents only. Bring a driver's license, utility bill, tax bill, or other proof of residency.
Fits the income table
Gross income must fall between 101% and 200% of the federal poverty level for your household size. For a family of four, that is $25,751 to $52,500.
Documents household income
Submit signed current federal tax returns for every adult on the application, or income verification from the Department of Social Services.
What it is worth
The bands come from JCPRC's Scholarship Program & Application, revised September 2019, which uses 2019 federal poverty guidelines.
- $25,751-$35,535
- 75%
- $35,536-$38,625
- 50%
- $38,626-$52,500
- 25%
- Annual cap, July 1-June 30
- $200 retail value
- Most saved in a year at 75%
- $150
The income table dates from 2019, so ask JCPRC whether the bands have been updated before you apply.
From applying to keeping it
- Before you apply
Gather documents
Collect proof of residency and signed tax returns for all adults, with Social Security numbers blacked out, or arrange Department of Social Services verification.
- To apply
Submit in person or by mail
Turn in the signed application at a JCPRC facility or mail it to JCPRC, 235 Sam Michaels Lane, Shenandoah Junction, WV 25442.
- 10-15 business days
Get a decision
Staff review complete applications and activate your account discount as soon as a decision is made.
- At registration
Pay the discounted fee
Payment is due when you register, by cash or credit card. Skipping a program without notice forfeits the whole scholarship.
- Every 12 months
Re-verify income
Confirm income and household size each year, and the $200 cap resets each July 1.
What it pays for
Covered
- Recreation classes
- Programs
- Camps
Not covered
- Facility rentals
- Birthday parties
- Special events
- Field and court rentals
Who to contact
JCPRC staff at 235 Sam Michaels Lane in Shenandoah Junction review scholarship applications and decide discount levels.
Scholarship program and application
Homeschool rules and statewide help in West Virginia
You must file a one-time notice of intent with the county superintendent before home instruction begins, or by the first home-instruction day when withdrawing from public school. After moving counties, notify the former superintendent and file a new notice with the new one. You must notify the superintendent when home instruction ends.
West Virginia sets these rules:
- Subjects: Provide instruction in reading, language, mathematics, science, and social studies.
- Testing: Obtain an academic assessment annually; submit results to the county superintendent by June 30 in grades 3, 5, 8, and 11, as applicable.
- Records: Keep a copy of each student’s academic assessment for three years.
- Teachers: High school diploma or equivalent, or a qualifying postsecondary degree or certificate from an accredited or state-authorized institution.
West Virginia also has an education savings account that home-educated students can use.
- The Hope Scholarship pays about $5,436 for 2026-27, and existing homeschool students can apply starting this year. Taking it changes your child's attendance path: you file the program's notice and report academic progress each year.
Read the West Virginia homeschooling guide See statewide programs in West Virginia
Questions parents ask
- Can a homeschool family get a JCPRC scholarship?
- Yes. Eligibility depends on Jefferson County residency, household income, and household size. The program sets no school enrollment rule.
- How much could a JCPRC scholarship save us in a year?
- Up to $150 at the 75% level, or up to $50 at 25%. The cap is $200 in retail value of classes per fiscal year.
- What if we earn below the lowest band?
- The table does not cover you. It starts at 101% of the poverty level, so a family of four under $25,751 is not listed; ask JCPRC how it handles lower incomes.
- What happens if a program is canceled?
- Refunds are issued as a credit on your JCPRC account, not as cash.
- Do I need to send Social Security numbers?
- No. Black them out on your tax returns. JCPRC destroys income documents after approval.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
Camps and local activities give your child new interests to explore. Their discoveries can shape the examples and questions they study at home.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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