Your state guide · 2026

Pennsylvania homeschool laws

Last verified 2026-10-28 · View official sources

The short answer

Pennsylvania lets a parent with a high school diploma or equivalent run a home education program after filing a signed affidavit with the local superintendent.

At a glance

Annual affidavit due August 1
Parent needs a high school diploma or equivalent
180 days or 900/990 hours a year
Tests required in grades 3, 5 and 8
Evaluator certification due June 30

Requirements at a glance

Read the details for your chosen homeschooling option below.

Pennsylvania homeschool requirements
Requirement	What to know
Compulsory school ages	6–18
Notice required	Yes
Filing deadline	Before the program starts, then every year by August 1.
Required subjects	Elementary: English (spelling, reading, writing), arithmetic, science, geography, U.S. and Pennsylvania history, civics, safety and fire prevention, health and physiology, physical education, music, art; Secondary: English (language, literature, speech, composition), science, geography, social studies (civics, world, U.S. and Pennsylvania history), mathematics (general math, algebra, geometry), art, music, physical education, health, safety and fire prevention; To graduate (grades 9-12): 4 years English, 3 math, 3 science, 3 social studies, 2 arts and humanities
Instruction time	180 days, or 900 hours a year at the elementary level and 990 hours at the secondary level.
Parent qualifications	The supervising parent must have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Tests & assessments	Students in grades 3, 5 and 8 take state tests or a nationally normed test from the department's list in reading/language arts and math, given by someone other than the parent. Every year an evaluator (a licensed clinical or school psychologist, a Pennsylvania-certified teacher, or a qualifying nonpublic school teacher or administrator) interviews the child, reviews the portfolio and certifies whether an appropriate education is occurring. The certification is due to the superintendent by June 30.
Records to keep	Keep a portfolio with a log written as instruction happens listing reading materials by title, samples of the student's work, and the required test results.
Immunizations	The affidavit must include evidence that the child is immunized and has received the health and medical services required for the child's age or grade, or a documented exemption.

How to start homeschooling in Pennsylvania

The program must cover a set list of subjects for 180 days or 900/990 hours a year, and the parent keeps a portfolio that includes standardized test results in grades 3, 5 and 8. Each year a qualified evaluator reviews the portfolio, interviews the child and certifies progress, and that certification is due to the district by June 30.

Choose your homeschooling option
Home education program. A parent, guardian or legal custodian with a high school diploma or equivalent supervises instruction under section 1327.1 after filing the annual affidavit.
Private tutor. The state education department lists instruction by a properly qualified private tutor as a separate option; its rules are in section 1327 and the department's guide.
Prepare your notice
A notarized affidavit or unsworn declaration naming the supervisor, each child and age, the program address and phone, an outline of learning objectives by subject, proof of immunizations and required health services, and a signed statement that no adult in the home has certain criminal convictions in the past five years.
Open the official notice resource ↗
Check when and where to file
When: Before the program starts, then every year by August 1.
Where: Superintendent of the school district where the family lives.

Subjects to teach

Elementary: English (spelling, reading, writing), arithmetic, science, geography, U.S. and Pennsylvania history, civics, safety and fire prevention, health and physiology, physical education, music, art
Secondary: English (language, literature, speech, composition), science, geography, social studies (civics, world, U.S. and Pennsylvania history), mathematics (general math, algebra, geometry), art, music, physical education, health, safety and fire prevention
To graduate (grades 9-12): 4 years English, 3 math, 3 science, 3 social studies, 2 arts and humanities

Sports & extracurricular activities

Districts must let home education students join activities such as clubs, musical groups, athletics and theater if they meet the same eligibility rules as enrolled students. Since 2023-24 districts must also allow certain cocurricular activities, academic courses and career and technical programs.

Official forms & law

Pennsylvania Department of Education ↗

Forms & guidance

Statutes

Questions, answered.

What do I file to homeschool in Pennsylvania?

A notarized affidavit or unsworn declaration naming the supervisor, each child and age, the program address and phone, an outline of learning objectives by subject, proof of immunizations and required health services, and a signed statement that no adult in the home has certain criminal convictions in the past five years.

When do I file in Pennsylvania?

Before the program starts, then every year by August 1.

What assessments are required in Pennsylvania?

Students in grades 3, 5 and 8 take state tests or a nationally normed test from the department's list in reading/language arts and math, given by someone other than the parent. Every year an evaluator (a licensed clinical or school psychologist, a Pennsylvania-certified teacher, or a qualifying nonpublic school teacher or administrator) interviews the child, reviews the portfolio and certifies whether an appropriate education is occurring. The certification is due to the superintendent by June 30.

Check the original

Sources

Public School Code § 1327.1, Home Education Program ↗Pennsylvania General Assembly
Public School Code § 1326, Definitions ↗Pennsylvania General Assembly
Home Education and Private Tutoring ↗Pennsylvania Department of Education
Home Education Program (Basic Education Circular) ↗Pennsylvania Department of Education

Last verified 2026-10-28.