How to start homeschooling in Pennsylvania
Everything Pennsylvania asks of a homeschool family, in order, from the state’s own sources, checked October 1, 2026. Each step links to a free tool that does it, and there’s a checklist to print at the end.
Step 0: choose how you’ll homeschool
Pennsylvania gives families 2 legal ways to homeschool. Each has its own steps below. Choose one to see its steps.
Home education program: step by step
Make sure this option fits your family
A parent, guardian or legal custodian with a high school diploma or equivalent supervises the program, files a notarized affidavit each year, keeps a portfolio, and has it reviewed by a qualified evaluator whose written evaluation goes to the district by June 30.
Required school ages in Pennsylvania: 6 to 18 (effective with the 2020-21 school year). Teacher qualification for this option: Supervisor must have a high school diploma or its equivalent (includes a supervisor-issued home education diploma after Oct. 31, 2014, a diploma from an approved diploma-granting organization, or a Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma).
If your child is in school now, withdraw in writing
Send the school a dated withdrawal letter saying your child will be educated at home, and keep a copy. Pennsylvania also asks for a notice under this option (the next step); file it by its deadline.
File your notice
Required.
When: Before the program begins; then annually by August 1.
What it includes: Notarized affidavit to the superintendent of the school district of residence. Contents: supervisor name, child's name and age, address and phone of program site, instruction in English, outline of proposed education objectives by subject, evidence of immunization and required health/medical services, assurance of compliance, and certification that the supervisor and adults in the home have not been convicted of enumerated offenses within the past five years. Covers the school year July 1 – June 30.
Pennsylvania names its own form, affidavit or filing for this. Use that where it’s required; our letter can go with it as a cover letter or a record.
Plan your school year: days and hours
Pennsylvania sets a minimum.
180 days, or the hour alternative below. Either 180 days or 900 hours per year at the elementary level (K-6), or 180 days or 990 hours per year at the secondary level (7-12).
Cover the required subjects
Elementary (K-6): English (spelling, reading, writing), arithmetic, geography, U.S. and PA history, science, civics, safety education incl. fire prevention, health (incl. physical education and physiology), music, art. Secondary (7-12): English, mathematics, science, social studies (civics, world history, U.S. and PA history), health, physical education, music, art (optional: economics, biology, chemistry, foreign languages, trigonometry, etc.).
Testing or evaluation
Required every year; see the details for grades 3, 5 and 8.
Standardized tests in grades 3, 5 and 8 in reading/language arts and mathematics (PSSA or a PDE-approved nationally normed test; no opt-out); results go in the portfolio. Annual written evaluation by a qualified evaluator (licensed clinical or school psychologist; PA-certified teacher, or nonpublic school teacher/administrator, with 2 years grading experience at the level; or another person with superintendent's prior consent; not the supervisor or spouse), who interviews the child and reviews the portfolio. Evaluation submitted to the district superintendent by June 30.
Keep the records the state asks for
Required.
Portfolio: a log made contemporaneously with instruction designating by title the reading materials used; samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks or creative materials; grade 3/5/8 test results. Log documents 180 days or the required hours. Portfolio is no longer submitted to the district (only the evaluation).
Start teaching
Put your books on a lesson schedule, and the planner spreads the lessons across your school days and moves them when a day is missed. Log attendance in a tap, and keep grades, a portfolio and a transcript as you go.
High school and graduation
Minimum courses in grades 9-12, stated in years: four years of English, three of mathematics, three of science, three of social studies, two of arts and humanities. Under Act 196 of 2014 (eff. Oct. 31, 2014) the home education supervisor issues a state-recognized diploma on PDE form 6008, signed by the student's 12th-grade evaluator; an affidavit must be filed for the graduation year. Alternatives: diploma from a PDE-approved home education association, or Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma.
Official sources for this option
Not confirmed on an official page: Statute text on legis.state.pa.us could not be read; facts taken from PDE's guide and PDE's Purdon's page. Portfolio retention period not confirmed from an official source. Check these points with the state or your local school district before you rely on them; everything else above comes from the official sources listed.
Private tutoring by a certified teacher: step by step
Make sure this option fits your family
A Pennsylvania-certified teacher (who may be the parent) provides the majority of instruction to one family at a time. No affidavit or annual evaluation is required.
Required school ages in Pennsylvania: 6 to 18 (effective with the 2020-21 school year). Teacher qualification for this option: Must hold a valid Pennsylvania teaching certificate, with PA State Police, child abuse (DHS) and FBI clearances.
If your child is in school now, withdraw in writing
Send the school a dated withdrawal letter saying your child will be educated at home, and keep a copy. Pennsylvania also asks for a notice under this option (the next step); file it by its deadline.
File your notice
Required.
What it includes: No affidavit. The tutor must verify Pennsylvania certification and clearances with the superintendent of the district of residence and report names and residences of children tutored (and when tutoring ends); the parent gives written assurance to the superintendent that instructional requirements are met (22 Pa. Code §11.31(b)(2)).
Pennsylvania names its own form, affidavit or filing for this. Use that where it’s required; our letter can go with it as a cover letter or a record.
Plan your school year: days and hours
Pennsylvania sets a minimum.
180 days, or the hour alternative. 180 days or 900 hours (K-6); 180 days or 990 hours (7-12).
Cover the required subjects
English (spelling, reading, writing); arithmetic; geography; history of the United States and Pennsylvania; science; civics; safety education (including fire prevention); health and physiology; physical education; music; art; mathematics; social studies (civics, world history, U.S. and Pennsylvania history).
Same elementary and secondary subject lists as the home education program.
Testing or evaluation
Not required under this option.
No routine testing or evaluation. On a complaint, the superintendent may request evidence of academic progress and documentation of required days/hours (22 Pa. Code §11.31(b)(3)).
Keep the records the state asks for
Required.
Keep portfolio-like documentation: on a complaint, the superintendent may ask for evidence of academic progress and of the required days or hours (22 Pa. Code §11.31(b)(3)).
Start teaching
Put your books on a lesson schedule, and the planner spreads the lessons across your school days and moves them when a day is missed. Log attendance in a tap, and keep grades, a portfolio and a transcript as you go.
High school and graduation
PDE: no direct path to a state-recognized diploma through private tutoring and no graduation requirements. Options: Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma, or switch to a home education program for 12th grade.
Official sources for this option
Not confirmed on an official page: Statute and 22 Pa. Code §11.31 text not read directly; facts from PDE's guide. Check these points with the state or your local school district before you rely on them; everything else above comes from the official sources listed.
Your Pennsylvania checklist
Homeschool Corral · How to start homeschooling in Pennsylvania · homeschoolcorral.com
- Read Pennsylvania’s rules for “Home education program”
- Withdraw from school in writing (if enrolled), and keep a copy
- File the notice (Before the program begins; then annually by August 1)
- Set the first and last day, school days and breaks (meeting the state minimum)
- Choose curriculum for each required subject
- Note the testing or evaluation years and deadlines
- Start the required records from day one
- Make a first-week plan and start
- Read Pennsylvania’s rules for “Private tutoring by a certified teacher”
- Withdraw from school in writing (if enrolled), and keep a copy
- File the notice
- Set the first and last day, school days and breaks (meeting the state minimum)
- Choose curriculum for each required subject
- Start the required records from day one
- Make a first-week plan and start
Questions Pennsylvania parents ask
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Pennsylvania?
Home education program: Yes. When: Before the program begins; then annually by August 1. What to file: Notarized affidavit to the superintendent of the school district of residence. Contents: supervisor name, child's name and age, address and phone of program site, instruction in English, outline of proposed education objectives by subject, evidence of immunization and required health/medical services, assurance of compliance, and certification that the supervisor and adults in the home have not been convicted of enumerated offenses within the past five years. Covers the school year July 1 – June 30.
Private tutoring by a certified teacher: Yes. What to file: No affidavit. The tutor must verify Pennsylvania certification and clearances with the superintendent of the district of residence and report names and residences of children tutored (and when tutoring ends); the parent gives written assurance to the superintendent that instructional requirements are met (22 Pa. Code §11.31(b)(2)).
How many days or hours do homeschoolers need in Pennsylvania?
Home education program: 180 days, or the hour alternative below. Either 180 days or 900 hours per year at the elementary level (K-6), or 180 days or 990 hours per year at the secondary level (7-12).
Private tutoring by a certified teacher: 180 days, or the hour alternative. 180 days or 900 hours (K-6); 180 days or 990 hours (7-12).
Do homeschoolers have to take tests in Pennsylvania?
Home education program: Yes, every year; see the details for grades 3, 5 and 8. Standardized tests in grades 3, 5 and 8 in reading/language arts and mathematics (PSSA or a PDE-approved nationally normed test; no opt-out); results go in the portfolio. Annual written evaluation by a qualified evaluator (licensed clinical or school psychologist; PA-certified teacher, or nonpublic school teacher/administrator, with 2 years grading experience at the level; or another person with superintendent's prior consent; not the supervisor or spouse), who interviews the child and reviews the portfolio. Evaluation submitted to the district superintendent by June 30.
Private tutoring by a certified teacher: No routine testing or evaluation. On a complaint, the superintendent may request evidence of academic progress and documentation of required days/hours (22 Pa. Code §11.31(b)(3)).
Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Pennsylvania?
Home education program: Supervisor must have a high school diploma or its equivalent (includes a supervisor-issued home education diploma after Oct. 31, 2014, a diploma from an approved diploma-granting organization, or a Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma).
Private tutoring by a certified teacher: Must hold a valid Pennsylvania teaching certificate, with PA State Police, child abuse (DHS) and FBI clearances.
What subjects are required in Pennsylvania?
Home education program: English (spelling, reading, writing); arithmetic; geography; history of the United States and Pennsylvania; science; civics; safety education (including fire prevention); health and physiology; physical education; music; art; mathematics; social studies (civics, world history, U.S. and Pennsylvania history).
Private tutoring by a certified teacher: English (spelling, reading, writing); arithmetic; geography; history of the United States and Pennsylvania; science; civics; safety education (including fire prevention); health and physiology; physical education; music; art; mathematics; social studies (civics, world history, U.S. and Pennsylvania history).
What records do I need to keep in Pennsylvania?
Home education program: Portfolio: a log made contemporaneously with instruction designating by title the reading materials used; samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks or creative materials; grade 3/5/8 test results. Log documents 180 days or the required hours. Portfolio is no longer submitted to the district (only the evaluation).
Private tutoring by a certified teacher: Keep portfolio-like documentation: on a complaint, the superintendent may ask for evidence of academic progress and of the required days or hours (22 Pa. Code §11.31(b)(3)).
Keep going
This is a plain-English summary of the state’s official sources, checked on the date shown. It is not legal advice, and laws change. Read the linked official pages, and check with the state or your local school district if anything is unclear.
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