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.
PA
High regulationUse this page as the parent-friendly requirements hub for Pennsylvania. 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.
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.
High: 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.
6-18
Yes. Families homeschooling under the home education statute generally file a notarized affidavit or unsworn declaration each year. Notify: The superintendent of the local school district of residence.. Deadline: By August 1 each year, or before starting a home education program midyear.
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
180 days each year, or 900 hours at the elementary level and 990 hours at the secondary level.
Yes. An annual written evaluation is generally required every year, and standardized testing is required in certain grades. Frequency: Annual evaluation every year; standardized testing in grades 3, 5, and 8.
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.
The homeschooling supervisor must have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Moderate. Parents choose curriculum, but they must cover required subjects, meet day or hour minimums, and maintain a portfolio and annual evaluation.
Free printables
Print these before you start: a state startup checklist, letter-of-intent template, attendance tracker, and high-school transcript template.
New homeschool families
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
A parent-safe fill-in notice/withdrawal template with reminders to use official state forms when required.
Download PDF →
Recordkeeping
A simple school-year tracker for days, hours, holidays, field trips, and notes you can keep with your records.
Download PDF →
High school planning
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.
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.
Yes. Families homeschooling under the home education statute generally file a notarized affidavit or unsworn declaration each year.
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
Yes. An annual written evaluation is generally required every year, and standardized testing is required in certain grades.
If you are new to homeschooling in Pennsylvania, read the step-by-step startup guide before handling forms or curriculum decisions.
How to homeschool in PennsylvaniaLast verified: 2026-04-20. Last updated: 2026-04-20.