Virginia family sues to allow homeschooled son to play high school sports

Lawsuit challenges rule that prevents homeschooled students from competing in VHSL-sponsored activities.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:10pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen print featuring a single running shoe repeated in a grid pattern, conceptually representing the fight for homeschooled students to participate in high school athletics.A vibrant visual celebration of the right for homeschooled students to compete in high school sports, a battle playing out in courtrooms across the country.Richmond Today

A Virginia family has filed a federal lawsuit against the Virginia High School League (VHSL) and their local school district, challenging a rule that prevents homeschooled students from participating in high school sports. The lawsuit centers on 9th-grader Samuel Palmer, who has been homeschooled for religious reasons since birth and wants to compete in high school track.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing debate over access and equity for homeschooled students, who make up a significant portion of Virginia's student population. The family argues the rule violates their constitutional rights and denies homeschooled students opportunities to earn college scholarships through sports.

The details

The lawsuit was filed by the Palmer family of Roanoke, Virginia, on behalf of their son Samuel, a 9th-grader who has been homeschooled since birth for religious reasons. While Samuel was allowed to compete in some middle school events, the VHSL rule prohibiting "non-bona fide" students from participating in high school sports prevents him from doing so at the high school level. The family is not asking for a guaranteed spot on the team, but rather the right for Samuel to try out.

  • The lawsuit was filed on March 30, 2026.

The players

Samuel Palmer

A 9th-grade homeschooled student in Virginia who wants to compete in high school track.

Daniel Palmer

Samuel's father, who is part of the lawsuit challenging the VHSL rule.

Virginia High School League (VHSL)

The organization that enforces the rule preventing homeschooled students from participating in high school sports.

Roanoke County Public Schools

The local school district named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

The Family Foundation

The legal arm of the organization that announced and is supporting the lawsuit.

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What they’re saying

“I want to try to get better. And I just want to try to keep running in meets.”

— Samuel Palmer

“We want our son to have the same opportunities as other students to participate in the sport he loves.”

— Daniel Palmer, Samuel's father

“There's no reason that that these students don't have the same eligibility.”

— Victoria Cobb, President, The Family Foundation

“The Palmer's religious exercise is burdened because, despite the fact that they were led by their faith to educate their children at home, they are denied the ability for Samuel to compete in interscholastic sports to which he would otherwise be entitled.”

— Josh Hetzler, Founding Freedoms Law Center

What’s next

The family has filed a request for an injunction to allow Samuel Palmer to run track while the lawsuit proceeds. A VHSL spokesperson said the organization is prepared to defend its policy in court if necessary.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over access and equity for homeschooled students, who make up a significant portion of Virginia's student population. The lawsuit argues the VHSL rule violates constitutional rights and denies homeschooled students opportunities, raising questions about how to balance policies for traditional and non-traditional students.