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Homeschool Requirements in Georgia

Georgia calls homeschooling a "home study program." You file one form with the state each year, and everything else stays in your own binder. Here's the whole year, in plain English.

Natalie Riggs

Homeschool mom of two and co-founder of Packet Day

✓ Last verified against gadoe.org and Georgia's official session laws

Georgia families file a Declaration of Intent with the state within 30 days of starting, then by September 1 every year.

The short answer ⚡

Yes. File a Declaration of Intent with the Georgia Department of Education within 30 days of starting, then by September 1 each year. Teach five subjects for 180 days of 4.5 hours, test every three years from the end of grade 3, and write a progress report each year.

Georgia at a glance 📋

Notify the state
Yes
A Declaration of Intent to GaDOE, by September 1 each year
Teacher
Required
A high school diploma or a state approved equivalency diploma
Subjects
Five
Reading, language arts, math, social studies, and science
Days and hours
Yes
180 days a year, at least 4.5 hours a day
Testing
Every 3 years
From the end of grade 3; you keep the scores
Progress report
Yearly
Written by you and kept at least three years

Pick your path 🛤️

Georgia's attendance law gives three choices between a child's sixth and sixteenth birthdays: a public school, a private school, or a home study program. This guide covers the home study program.

At home

1. Home study program

Parents or guardians teach their own children at home and file a yearly Declaration of Intent with the Georgia Department of Education. GaDOE only collects the Declaration. It doesn't endorse or provide a curriculum.

School options

2. Public or private school

Your local public school, or a private school. Since July 1, 2026, a virtual only private school can count as a private school too.

Good to know

3. Learning pods

Parents can group their children to take part in a remote learning option from their main program. Georgia law says a learning pod can't be required to register, but the home study rules still apply to a home study family.

Your Georgia school year, step by step 🗓️

The Declaration is the only thing you send anyone. Your test scores and progress reports stay with you. You name your own 12 month school year on the form.

What goes on your Declaration of Intent

  • The names and ages of the children in your home study program
  • The address where your program is located
  • Your local school system
  • The 12 month period that counts as your school year

  1. Within 30 days of starting: file your Declaration with GaDOE, either online or on the printable form by mail, fax, or email. Save the confirmation number.

  2. All year: teach reading, language arts, math, social studies, and science, for the equivalent of 180 days of at least 4.5 hours.

  3. At the end of grade 3, then at least every three years: give a nationally standardized test. Keep the scores.

  4. Each year: write a progress report for each child. Keep it at least three years.

  5. By September 1 every year: file a new Declaration of Intent.

Withdrawing from public school

  • File your Declaration right away and keep a copy. A 2025 law lets a school refer a student who leaves without a filed Declaration to family services; a copy of your filed Declaration ends that.
  • GaDOE's form says you can count days your child already spent in public or private school that year toward the 180

Permits and licenses

  • A driving permit, driver's license, or Youth Work Permit needs a copy of your Declaration with the 36 character parent signature

Extras from your district

  • Districts that offer the PSAT, SAT, PreACT, ACT, ASVAB or AP exams must open them to resident home study students in grades 6 to 12, with no extra fees
  • Students in grades 6 to 12 can join sports and activities at their resident public school under the Dexter Mosely Act. GaDOE's home school page has the details.

Source: GaDOE: Home School

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Records to keep 🗂️

Georgia requires two kinds of records, and you keep both. The law says test scores don't have to be sent to public education officials, and it doesn't ask you to send progress reports anywhere.

  • An annual progress report for each child, assessing progress in each of the five subjects. Keep it at least three years.
  • Standardized test scores and records from each test
  • A copy of your Declaration of Intent with its confirmation number. GaDOE strongly encourages it.Recommended

A binder with a tab for each school year keeps it all in one place.

Testing: what Georgia actually requires 🧪

Your child takes an appropriate nationally standardized test at least every three years, starting at the end of third grade. The law says it's given "in consultation with" a person trained in giving and interpreting norm-referenced tests.

You keep the scores and records. Georgia law says they don't have to be submitted to public education officials.

What to teach 📚

Georgia law asks for a basic academic program that includes, but isn't limited to, five subjects. You choose the curriculum and materials:

  • Required subjects: reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science

On time, the law asks for instruction "equivalent to 180 school days of education with each school day consisting of at least four and one-half school hours," each 12 months, unless your child is physically unable.

5 mistakes new Georgia homeschoolers make ⚠️

  1. 1. Sending the Declaration to your school district.

    It goes to the Georgia Department of Education, which shares a copy with your district.

  2. 2. Forgetting the September 1 renewal.

    Your first Declaration is due within 30 days of starting, then every year by September 1.

  3. 3. Withdrawing from public school without filing.

    A student who leaves without a filed Declaration can be referred to family services. File right away and keep your copy.

  4. 4. Not saving the confirmation.

    You'll need a copy with the 36 character parent signature for a learner's permit, a license, or a youth work permit.

  5. 5. Skipping the written progress report.

    It's required every year, covers all five subjects, and must be kept for at least three years.

Georgia homeschool FAQ 💬

Do I need to notify anyone to homeschool in Georgia?

Yes. Send a Declaration of Intent to the Georgia Department of Education within 30 days of starting your home study program, then by September 1 every year after that. You can file online through GaDOE's website or mail, fax, or email the printable form. GaDOE shares a copy with your local school system.

What goes on the Declaration of Intent?

It lists the names and ages of the children in your home study program, the address where the program is located, your local school system, and the 12 month period you'll count as your school year. The online system gives you a confirmation number, so save or print your copy.

Who can teach a Georgia home study program?

A parent or guardian with at least a high school diploma or a state approved high school equivalency diploma can teach their own children. Parents may also hire a tutor who holds one of those diplomas. The law says parents may teach only their own children in the home study program.

What subjects does Georgia require?

Georgia law asks for a basic academic program that includes, but isn't limited to, reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. You choose the curriculum. GaDOE says it doesn't endorse, promote, or provide a curriculum, so the course of study and materials are up to you.

How many days and hours do Georgia homeschoolers need?

Your program needs instruction equal to 180 school days in each 12 month period, with each day at least four and a half school hours, unless your child is physically unable. GaDOE's form adds that you can count days your child already spent in public or private school that year.

Do Georgia homeschoolers take standardized tests?

Yes, at least every three years, starting at the end of third grade. Use an appropriate nationally standardized test, given in consultation with someone trained to give and interpret norm referenced tests. You keep the scores and records. The law says you don't have to send them to public education officials.

What is the annual progress report?

Every year, the instructor writes an annual progress assessment report for each child. It gives the instructor's own assessment of their progress in reading, language arts, math, social studies, and science. The law says to keep these reports for at least three years. It doesn't ask you to send them anywhere.

What ages does Georgia's attendance law cover?

Children must attend a public school, a private school, or a home study program between their sixth and sixteenth birthdays. If you withdraw from public school to homeschool, file your Declaration of Intent right away. Under a 2025 law, a student who stops attending without one can be referred to family services.

Get your free Georgia checklist ✅

We turned this whole page into a 1 page printable checklist: every Declaration step, every record to keep, every deadline. Stick it in your homeschool binder and you're covered.

We'll email you the checklist and occasional homeschool tips from Natalie. Unsubscribe anytime.

Plus, make your first learning packet free. 11 to 17 pages, generated around your kiddo in a minute or two.

Sources 📖

Last verified October 2026. Requirements are summarized from the sources above.

This page summarizes public information for general reference. It is not legal advice. Laws change; confirm current requirements with the Georgia Department of Education or a qualified attorney before making decisions for your family.

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