Georgia Homeschool Laws and Requirements
Aug 14, 2026Homeschooling is legal in Georgia. Most families teach at home through a home study program, which begins with a declaration of intent filed with the Georgia Department of Education within 30 days of establishing the program and by September 1 every year after that. The ongoing requirements are a basic academic program in five named subjects, instruction equivalent to 180 school days a year, standardized testing every three years beginning at the end of third grade, and an annual written progress report the family keeps at home.
Last Reviewed: August 14, 2026. Reviewed by the Modern Homeschools Editorial Team. Next scheduled review: August 14, 2027.
Georgia Homeschool Requirements at a Glance
| Topic | What applies in Georgia |
|---|---|
| Compulsory attendance ages | Between the sixth and sixteenth birthdays, unless the child has completed all requirements for a high school diploma |
| Notification or registration | A declaration of intent to the Georgia Department of Education within 30 days of establishing the program, and by September 1 annually thereafter |
| Legal pathway or homeschool definition | A home study program under subsection (c) of section 20-2-690. Private school enrollment is a separate pathway with its own requirements |
| Parent or instructor qualifications | The teaching parent or guardian must hold at least a high school diploma or a state approved high school equivalency diploma, and may teach only their own children. A tutor with the same credential may be employed |
| Required subjects | Reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science, at minimum |
| Instructional time | Instruction each 12 months equivalent to 180 school days, with each school day consisting of at least four and one-half school hours, unless the child is physically unable to comply |
| Testing or evaluation | A nationally standardized test at least every three years beginning at the end of third grade. Scores are retained by the family and are not submitted |
| Required records | Test records, plus an annual written progress assessment report covering each required subject, kept by the parent for at least three years |
| Responsible government agency | The Georgia Department of Education, which receives each declaration of intent and provides a copy to the local school system |
How to Start Homeschooling in Georgia
- File the declaration of intent. Submit it to the Georgia Department of Education within 30 days of establishing your program, using the state's online declaration of intent form.
- Include everything the law asks for. The declaration lists the names and ages of enrolled students, the address of the program, the local school system where it is located, and the 12 month period you are treating as your school year.
- Withdraw from public school, if applicable. Tell the school your child is leaving. Georgia law directs a school to refer the matter to the Division of Family and Children Services if a child is withdrawn without a declaration on file and stops attending for 45 days.
- Plan your year and your subjects. Build a schedule equivalent to 180 school days of at least four and one-half hours, covering reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science.
- Refile by September 1 each year. The declaration is not a one time filing. It is due again every year for as long as you homeschool.
Testing, Attendance, and Record Keeping
Georgia asks families to test and document progress, but not to send results in.
Students in a home study program take an appropriate nationally standardized test at least every three years, beginning at the end of third grade, administered in consultation with a person trained in giving and interpreting norm referenced tests. The statute says records of those tests and scores shall be retained but shall not be required to be submitted to public educational authorities.
The instructor also writes an annual progress assessment report covering the student's academic progress in each required subject. The parent or guardian keeps it for at least three years, and it is not filed with the state or the district.
Section 20-2-690 does not require a home study program to keep an attendance register or send monthly attendance reports to a superintendent, and it sets no notice requirement for ending a program. The annual declaration of intent is the only routine filing Georgia asks of a homeschooling family.
Official Georgia Homeschool Resources
- Georgia Department of Education, Home School
- Home Study Declaration of Intent, official filing form
- Georgia House Bill 530: Declaration of Intent Filing Requirement
- Georgia Senate Bill 123: Current Compulsory Attendance Provisions
Beginning Your Homeschool Journey?
Your First 30 Days of Homeschooling provides a practical path for establishing your priorities, planning your next steps, and creating a rhythm that works for your family.
Modern Homeschools provides educational information to help families understand and navigate homeschooling requirements. Because requirements may change, families should confirm current details with the official state sources linked within this guide.