Homeschooler Sues Virginia High School League Over Sports Ban

Family claims VHSL rules discriminate against homeschooled students like their son Samuel Palmer.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:18pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A bold, colorful silkscreen print featuring a repeated pattern of a pair of running shoes in neon shades of blue, pink, and yellow, with heavy black outlines, conceptually representing the legal battle over a homeschooled student's right to participate in public school athletics.A homeschooled student's fight for equal access to public school sports sparks a legal battle over religious freedom and discrimination.Roanoke Today

A homeschooled student in Roanoke County, Virginia named Samuel Palmer is suing the Virginia High School League (VHSL) after being denied the ability to participate in track and field at his local public high school. The Palmer family, represented by the Founding Freedoms Law Center, argues the VHSL's policy prohibiting homeschooled students from playing public school sports violates their religious freedom and equal protection rights.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing debate over access to public school extracurricular activities for homeschooled students. While 31 other states allow homeschoolers to participate in public school sports, Virginia currently bars them, a policy the Palmer family claims is discriminatory and infringes on their religious beliefs that led them to homeschool in the first place.

The details

The Palmer family says their son Samuel, a homeschooled high school student, wishes to compete in track and field at his local public high school, Northside High. However, the VHSL rules prohibit homeschooled students from participating in VHSL-sponsored activities. The family has filed a federal lawsuit, requesting a jury trial, arguing the VHSL policy violates their constitutional rights.

  • The Palmer family filed the lawsuit on March 30, 2026.

The players

Samuel Palmer

A homeschooled high school student in Roanoke County, Virginia who wants to participate in track and field at his local public high school, Northside High.

Daniel and Stacie Palmer

The parents of Samuel Palmer, who have chosen to homeschool their son due to their religious convictions and are now suing the VHSL over its policy prohibiting homeschooled students from playing public school sports.

Josh Hetzler

An attorney with the Founding Freedoms Law Center, the legal arm of the Family Foundation, who is representing the Palmer family in their lawsuit against the VHSL.

Virginia High School League (VHSL)

The organization that governs high school sports in Virginia and has a policy in place barring homeschooled students from participating in VHSL-sponsored activities like track and field.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Our clients, the Palmers, are being denied equal protection under the law, and also their religious exercise is being infringed. We fought a lawsuit today on behalf of them, because their son, Samuel, simply wishes to run track and field with his high school peers.”

— Josh Hetzler, Attorney, Founding Freedoms Law Center

“And unfortunately, they said, our policy is what it is, and everybody on our board likes the policy. So basically, I'm paraphrasing, but essentially don't waste your time was the answer.”

— Daniel Palmer

“So, they have very strong religious convictions. That led them to do this, and we think they shouldn't be burdened just because their faith leads them to homeschool.”

— Josh Hetzler, Attorney, Founding Freedoms Law Center

What’s next

The case is expected to go to trial in federal court in Roanoke, with the Palmer family requesting a jury trial.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing tensions between homeschooling families and public school sports associations, raising questions about equal access, religious freedom, and the role of extracurricular activities in a student's education.