PA

High regulation

How to homeschool a child with ADHD in Pennsylvania

Homeschooling a child with ADHD in Pennsylvania works best when the legal checklist is simple and the daily routine is built around the child’s actual needs.

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.

Pennsylvania legal starting point

Pennsylvania allows homeschooling under its home education law, but it is more regulated than many states. Families generally file a notarized affidavit or unsworn declaration each year, teach the required subjects, keep a portfolio, and submit an annual evaluation.

Special education notes

If a student has been identified as needing special education services, the home education program may need additional approval or oversight tied to the child’s needs.

Supports that often help ADHD

short work blocks, movement, visual checklists, immediate feedback, and flexible pacing

Curriculum selection

  1. 1Choose level before grade label.
  2. 2Reduce friction before adding more subjects.
  3. 3Use accommodations that preserve learning without unnecessary battles.
  4. 4Document what works so future evaluations, doctors, tutors, or schools have a clear history.

Pennsylvania records and testing

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. Testing/evaluation: Yes. An annual written evaluation is generally required every year, and standardized testing is required in certain grades.

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

Can I homeschool a child with ADHD in Pennsylvania?

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.

Does Pennsylvania provide special education services to homeschoolers?

If a student has been identified as needing special education services, the home education program may need additional approval or oversight tied to the child’s needs.

What should I document for a child with ADHD?

Keep curriculum notes, accommodations, work samples, evaluations, therapy notes if relevant, and any records required by your state summary.

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