Homeschooling in Pennsylvania

Your options

Home education program under 24 P.S. §13-1327.1 (affidavit, portfolio and evaluator). Private tutoring under 24 P.S. §13-1327 needs a PA-certified tutor and no affidavit or evaluation. Other private schools are a separate option.

Notice or letter of intent

Before starting, and annually by August 1, file a notarized affidavit or unsworn declaration with the superintendent of the district of residence. It gives the supervisor's name, the child's name and age, the address and phone, a statement that subjects are taught in English, objectives by subject, immunization and health evidence, and a statement that no adult in the home has listed convictions in the past 5 years. District approval is not needed to begin.

Need a letter? See our letter of intent and withdrawal letter templates – but use the official form below if there is one.

Subjects, time, assessment and records

Subjects

Elementary: English (spelling, reading, writing), arithmetic, geography, US and PA history, science, civics, safety and fire prevention, health and PE, music and art. Secondary: English, math, science, social studies (civics, world, US and PA history), health, PE, music and art.

Days or hours

180 days, or 900 hours (elementary) or 990 hours (secondary), a year.

Testing or assessment

Grades 3, 5 and 8: PSSA or an approved nationally normed test in reading/language arts and math. Every year, a qualified evaluator interviews the child and reviews the portfolio, and the written evaluation goes to the superintendent by June 30. Evaluators may be a licensed or school psychologist, a PA-certified teacher, or a nonpublic teacher with 2 years' experience, but not the supervisor or their spouse.

Records

A portfolio with a log kept at the time of instruction listing reading materials by title, work samples, test results (grades 3, 5 and 8), and the evaluator's certification.

Parent qualifications

The supervisor (a parent, guardian or legal custodian) must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Other rules

If the program is non-compliant, the superintendent may require a hearing. Results can include probation, more reporting, or loss of the right to home-educate for up to 1 year. Supervisors may issue a diploma (PDE 6008) or use an approved diploma-granting organization.

Official forms

Elementary affidavit: pa.gov/… ; Secondary affidavit: pa.gov/… ; Unsworn declarations: pa.gov/… and pa.gov/… ; Guide: pa.gov/… ; Diploma PDE 6008: pa.gov/…

The law

24 P.S. §13-1327.1; 24 P.S. §13-1327; 24 P.S. §5-511; 22 Pa. Code §11.31a – read the law

Who to contact

• Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) – Office of School Services – Home Education and Private Tutoring[email protected] · 717-214-8212 (Office of School Services, per PDE guide) · Official pageWho handles notices: Local district (superintendent of district of residence); state PDE gives guidance

Special education and public school classes and sports

For a child identified under IDEA, the program must address the child's needs and be approved in writing by a PA-certified special education teacher or a licensed clinical or certified school psychologist, filed with the affidavit. Districts must allow extracurriculars (24 P.S. §5-511). Since 2023-24 (Act 55 of 2022, §1327.1(f.2)), districts must also allow cocurricular activities, academic courses (at least a quarter of the school day) and CTE. Districts lend curricula and textbooks on request.

Federal rules on Child Find and evaluations apply in every state – see special education.

Going back to public school in Pennsylvania

To enroll your child in a public school in Pennsylvania, contact the enrollment or registration office of your local school district or public school. Ask how it decides grade placement and whether it accepts credits from homeschooling before your child starts, and bring the records you choose to share. We didn’t find a state rule on this for Pennsylvania in the official sources we checked – see the Pennsylvania official page and ask the district.

See going back to school after homeschooling for what to bring, placement, credits and special education.