Legal status
Homeschooling is legal in Georgia under the home study program law.
GA
Medium regulationGeorgia homeschool requirements
Use this page as the parent-friendly requirements hub for Georgia. It pulls the core legal fields into one checklist-style view so families can see what matters before they choose curriculum or withdraw from school.
Plain-English note: this is a parent guide, not legal advice. Use the official source links at the bottom of the page before a deadline or filing decision.
Regulation level
Medium: Georgia is fairly manageable for homeschoolers, but families do have to file a declaration of intent, teach the required subjects for the required time, keep attendance, write annual progress reports, and complete standardized testing every three years after a certain grade.
Compulsory school age
6-16
Notice or enrollment requirement
Yes. Parents file a Declaration of Intent to operate a home study program. Notify: The Georgia Department of Education.. Deadline: Within 30 days of starting a home study program and then annually by September 1.
Required subjects
Reading, Language arts, Mathematics, Social studies, Science
Hours or days
At least 4.5 instructional hours per day for 180 school days each year.
Testing or evaluation
Yes. Students must take a nationally standardized test at regular intervals. Frequency: Every three years beginning at the end of third grade.
Records parents should keep
Keep monthly attendance records, write a yearly progress report for each student, and retain those records for at least three years.
Teacher qualifications
The parent or tutor must have at least a high school diploma or GED.
Curriculum freedom
Families have solid day-to-day flexibility, but they must cover the required subjects and meet the state’s time, recordkeeping, and testing rules.
Free printables
Download the homeschool starter kit
Print these before you start: a state startup checklist, letter-of-intent template, attendance tracker, and high-school transcript template.
New homeschool families
State homeschool startup checklist
A printable first-week checklist for choosing your pathway, handling notices or withdrawal, tracking deadlines, and setting up records.
Download PDF →
Notice or withdrawal paperwork
Homeschool letter of intent template
A parent-safe fill-in notice/withdrawal template with reminders to use official state forms when required.
Download PDF →
Recordkeeping
Homeschool attendance tracker
A simple school-year tracker for days, hours, holidays, field trips, and notes you can keep with your records.
Download PDF →
High school planning
Homeschool transcript template
A fill-in high-school transcript starter with course records, credit summary, and parent certification lines.
Download PDF →
These printables are general planning tools, not legal advice. Always verify the current rule on your state page and official source links before filing deadlines.
Frequently asked questions
Is homeschooling legal in Georgia?
Homeschooling is legal in Georgia under the home study program law.
Do Georgia homeschool parents have to notify the state?
Yes. Parents file a Declaration of Intent to operate a home study program.
What subjects are required in Georgia?
Reading, Language arts, Mathematics, Social studies, Science
Does Georgia require homeschool testing?
Yes. Students must take a nationally standardized test at regular intervals.
Start with the full state checklist
If you are new to homeschooling in Georgia, read the step-by-step startup guide before handling forms or curriculum decisions.
How to homeschool in GeorgiaSources for Georgia
- https://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Pages/Home-Schools.aspx
- https://rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/160-5-1-.28
- https://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Pages/Home-Study-Program-Declaration-of-Intent.aspx
- https://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Documents/Home%20Study%20Program/HomeStudyDOI.pdf
- HSLDA state law summary
Last verified: 2026-04-20. Last updated: 2026-04-20.