In Virginia did the kids have to go to school?

It depends what time period you are speaking of. Let me give you a little time range.

1780s thru 1890s ----> Children only went to the grade the family could afford to send them to. (A poor family wouldn't send their child to college)

1890s thru 2010 ----> Children went to school most of the time, but still some children dropped out of highschool and would find jobs.

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