Homeschool laws · State guide
Homeschooling in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania requires an annual affidavit with education objectives, a portfolio, standardized tests in grades 3, 5 and 8, and an annual evaluation submitted to the district.
Pennsylvania at a glanceLevel: High
- Notice to the state
- Yes
- Before starting and by August 1 each year, file a notarized affidavit (or unsworn declaration) with the superintendent, including objectives, immunization proof and criminal-history certification (24 P.S. §13-1327.1(b)).
- Testing
- Yes
- Standardized tests in reading/language arts and math in grades 3, 5 and 8, not given by the parent, plus an annual evaluation by a qualified evaluator from an interview and portfolio review (24 P.S. §13-1327.1(e)).
- Record-keeping
- Required
- Maintain a portfolio: a contemporaneous log of reading materials, work samples, and grade 3/5/8 test results. PDE says the evaluation report must be submitted to the district by June 30. (24 P.S. §13-1327.1(e); PDE)
- Immunization
- Required
- Home education families must submit immunization proof or an exemption with their annual affidavit or declaration (24 P.S. §13-1327.1(b)(1); 28 Pa. Code §23.84).
- Required subjects
- Yes, 2
- Elementary: English (spelling, reading, writing), arithmetic, science, geography, U.S. and Pennsylvania history, civics, safety/fire prevention, health and physiology, physical education, music, art, Secondary: English (language, literature, speech, composition), science, geography, social studies (civics, world, U.S. and PA history), mathematics (general math, algebra, geometry), art, music, physical education, health, safety/fire prevention
- Instruction time
- 180 days, or 900 hours (elementary) / 990 hours (secondary) per year
- 24 P.S. §13-1327.1(c)
- Compulsory school age
- From school entry (no later than age 6) until age 18, unless exempt
- 24 P.S. §13-1326
Ways to homeschool here: Home education program (24 P.S. §13-1327.1) · Private tutor · Private or religious school
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Overview
Pennsylvania’s home education program is run by a ‘supervisor’ (parent, guardian or legal custodian). The outline of objectives may not be used by the superintendent to judge compliance (§1327.1(b)(1)). Districts must lend curriculum materials on request, allow extracurricular participation, and, since 2023–24, allow participation in cocurricular activities, academic courses and CTE programs (PDE). Graduation from a home education program requires specified courses in grades 9–12, and diplomas may be awarded by the supervisor or an approved diploma-granting organization (§1327.1(d), (d.1)).
Legal options
- Home education program (24 P.S. §13-1327.1)
- Private tutor
- Private or religious school
Requirements at a glance
- Notice: Before starting and annually by August 1, file a notarized affidavit (or unsworn declaration) with the school district superintendent naming the supervisor, each child and age, the program address and phone, that required subjects are offered in English with an outline of proposed education objectives by subject, evidence of immunization and required health services, and a criminal-history certification. District approval is not required to start once paperwork is filed (22 Pa. Code §11.31a, per PDE). (24 P.S. §13-1327.1(b))
- Testing or assessment: Nationally normed standardized tests (or state PSSA tests) in reading/language arts and math in grades 3, 5 and 8, not administered by the parent; plus an annual written evaluation by a licensed clinical or school psychologist, certified teacher, or qualified nonpublic teacher/administrator based on an interview and portfolio review, certifying whether appropriate education is occurring. (24 P.S. §13-1327.1(e))
- Records: Maintain a portfolio: a contemporaneous log of reading materials, work samples, and grade 3/5/8 test results. PDE says the evaluation report must be submitted to the district by June 30. (24 P.S. §13-1327.1(e); PDE)
- Subjects: Elementary: English (spelling, reading, writing), arithmetic, science, geography, U.S. and Pennsylvania history, civics, safety/fire prevention, health and physiology, physical education, music, art, Secondary: English (language, literature, speech, composition), science, geography, social studies (civics, world, U.S. and PA history), mathematics (general math, algebra, geometry), art, music, physical education, health, safety/fire prevention
- Instruction time: 180 days, or 900 hours (elementary) / 990 hours (secondary) per year (24 P.S. §13-1327.1(c))
- Parent/teacher qualifications: Supervisor must have a high school diploma or equivalent (24 P.S. §13-1327.1(a))
- Compulsory attendance ages: From school entry (no later than age 6) until age 18, unless exempt (24 P.S. §13-1326)
Sources
This page summarizes the statutes and official pages listed in the sources block, as read on the last-checked date. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm current requirements with your state or local education agency.