PA

High regulation

Can you homeschool without a degree in Pennsylvania?

Many parents worry they are not “qualified enough” to homeschool. The legal question is simpler: what does Pennsylvania actually require of the parent or teacher?

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.

Teacher qualification rule

The homeschooling supervisor must have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Legal status

Homeschooling is legal in Pennsylvania, but families must follow yearly filing, portfolio, and evaluation rules unless they use another legal option such as private tutoring or a different private school arrangement.

Curriculum freedom

Moderate. Parents choose curriculum, but they must cover required subjects, meet day or hour minimums, and maintain a portfolio and annual evaluation.

What still matters if no degree is required

  1. 1Check Pennsylvania's notice rule: Yes. Families homeschooling under the home education statute generally file a notarized affidavit or unsworn declaration each year.
  2. 2Calendar the deadline: By August 1 each year, or before starting a home education program midyear.
  3. 3Build around required subjects: English, including spelling, reading, and writing, Arithmetic and mathematics, Science, Geography, History of the United States and Pennsylvania, Civics, Safety education, including regular and continuous instruction in fire safety, Health and physiology, Physical education, Music, Art, Literature, Foreign language in the elementary grades
  4. 4Keep records that match the state summary: Keep a portfolio for each student with a log made at the time of instruction, reading materials used, and samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials. Families also typically keep copies of the affidavit and annual evaluation, and the affidavit process references immunization and health records or lawful exemptions.
  5. 5Plan for testing or evaluation if required: Yes. An annual written evaluation is generally required every year, and standardized testing is required in certain grades.
  6. 6Use official source links before making a filing or deadline decision.

Related homeschool guides for Pennsylvania

These internal links connect curriculum, schedule, special-needs, testing, and state-law pages so parents can move from a search question to the legal checklist without starting over.

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.

View all downloads

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

Do I need a teaching degree to homeschool in Pennsylvania?

The homeschooling supervisor must have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Do I need curriculum approval in Pennsylvania?

Moderate. Parents choose curriculum, but they must cover required subjects, meet day or hour minimums, and maintain a portfolio and annual evaluation.

What should I do first?

Yes. Families homeschooling under the home education statute generally file a notarized affidavit or unsworn declaration each year.

Start with the Pennsylvania legal checklist

This guide is useful only if it sits on top of the actual Pennsylvania homeschool requirements. Review the state law hub before buying curriculum, changing schools, or setting deadlines.

Pennsylvania homeschool requirements