Georgia Homeschool Information

In Georgia, homeschooling—referred to as a “home study program”—is legally recognized and governed by specific state requirements. Parents or legal guardians intending to homeschool must submit an annual Declaration of Intent to the Georgia Department of Education within 30 days of starting and by September 1 each subsequent year. This declaration should include the names and ages of the students, the address of the homeschool, the local school district, and the defined 12-month school year period.

The teaching parent or guardian must possess at least a high school diploma or GED. Alternatively, a tutor with similar qualifications may be employed to provide instruction.

The homeschool curriculum must encompass the following core subjects: reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. Families have the flexibility to include additional subjects based on their educational goals.

Instruction is required for a minimum of 180 days per academic year, with each day consisting of at least 4.5 hours of instruction, unless the child is physically unable to comply.

While attendance records are not submitted to the state, it is recommended that parents maintain these records for their personal files. Additionally, parents must write an annual progress report for each student, assessing academic progress in each required subject. These reports should be retained for at least three years.

Starting at the end of third grade, students must take a nationally standardized test every three years. These tests should be administered in consultation with someone trained in test administration and interpretation. Test results are not submitted to the state but must be kept in the family’s records for at least three years.

Regarding graduation, Georgia does not impose specific requirements for homeschoolers. Parents have the authority to set their own graduation criteria and issue diplomas, which are legally equivalent to those from public or private schools.