Homeschooling in Pennsylvania: the law and how to start

Yes. Since Act 169 of 1988, Pennsylvania law has recognized home education as a way to meet compulsory attendance. There are several legal routes:

• Home education program (section 1327.1). The most common option. A parent, guardian or legal custodian acts as the "supervisor" and follows the affidavit, portfolio and evaluation rules described in this guide.
• Private tutor. A Pennsylvania-certified teacher can teach your child. The tutor files evidence of certification and background checks with the school district instead of the home education paperwork.
• Private or religious school. Enrolling your child in a private or church-related school also satisfies the law. That school's own rules then apply.

Pennsylvania is one of the more heavily regulated homeschool states, but the process is predictable once you know the yearly calendar.

• Prepare the affidavit. It must be notarized and state that the required subjects will be taught. Attach an outline of proposed educational objectives by subject. If your child has an IEP, the objectives must be approved by a certified special education teacher or a licensed or certified psychologist.
• File it with your district superintendent before your home education program begins. You can start partway through the year; you don't have to wait until August.
• Withdrawing from school. Once the affidavit is filed, the district treats your child as home educated. It's sensible to tell your child's current school as well so they are not marked absent.
• Renew every year. After the first year, file a new affidavit on or before August 1 each year.
• Line up an evaluator early, so the portfolio review can happen before the June 30 deadline.

A home education program meets the attendance law if it provides at least 180 days of instruction, or 900 hours a year at the elementary level or 990 hours a year at the secondary level.

Section 1327.1 lists required subjects separately for elementary and secondary students, and your affidavit must state that you will teach them. The Department of Education's Home Education and Private Tutoring guidance sets out the full lists.

For a high school diploma, grades 9–12 must include at least four years of English, three years of mathematics, three years of science, three years of social studies and two years of arts and humanities. In May 2026 the Department updated its guide with suggestions on how to count a "year" of a course; those suggestions are guidance, not law.

Throughout the year you keep a portfolio for each child, including a log made at the time of instruction showing the reading materials used, samples of your child's work, and, in grades 3, 5 and 8, standardized test results.

Standardized tests. In grades 3, 5 and 8, your child takes a nationally normed achievement test in reading/language arts and math from the Department's approved list (or the state tests), given by someone other than you.

Annual evaluation. A qualified evaluator reviews the portfolio and interviews your child, then certifies in writing whether an appropriate education is occurring. Evaluators include licensed clinical or school psychologists, Pennsylvania-certified teachers with at least two years of teaching experience at the relevant level, and nonpublic school teachers or administrators with at least two years of experience. You submit the evaluator's certification (not the whole portfolio) to the superintendent by June 30.

Since Act 196 of 2014, districts no longer review homeschool portfolios themselves; the evaluator does that job.

Act 196 of 2014 lets the home education supervisor award a state-recognized home education high school diploma when your teen completes the graduation requirements. The diploma is signed by the evaluator who completed the Grade 12 evaluation, and you file an affidavit with the superintendent for the graduation year.

Families can also use a diploma-granting organization recognized by the Department of Education. Either way, keep a clear transcript from Grade 9 showing the required courses and credits.

Pennsylvania has a strong equal-access law. Act 67 of 2005 lets home-educated students take part in extracurricular activities in their school district, such as athletics, clubs, musical groups and theater, as long as they meet the same eligibility requirements as enrolled students. Districts often limit participation to the school building your child would attend if enrolled.

Act 55 of 2022 went further. Since the 2023–24 school year, districts must also let home-educated students join cocurricular activities linked to a class (such as band or orchestra), take academic courses at the district, and enroll in career and technical education programs. Parents are generally responsible for transportation, although students may ride the bus if there is room.

For children with disabilities, contact your district about evaluation and services. If your child has an IEP, remember that your affidavit objectives need approval from a certified special education teacher or licensed or certified psychologist.

Pennsylvania has an active homeschool community, with statewide organizations, diploma-granting organizations, evaluator networks and many local co-ops and support groups.

Your district's home education office is a practical contact for affidavit forms, testing arrangements and activity sign-ups. The Department of Education's home education pages and guide explain the law in more detail.