Homeschool Guide

How to Homeschool in Georgia

Here is exactly what Georgia requires to homeschool legally - how to notify (if needed), what records to keep, testing rules, and how to get started.

Last updated June 2026

Notice required
Required
Instructional days
180 hrs/year
Portfolio
Not required
Testing / evaluation
Required

Georgia homeschool requirements

  • Notification: Submit a Declaration of Intent to Provide Home Study to the local school superintendent by September 1 annually (or within 30 days of beginning).
  • Required subjects: Cover Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, Reading, PE, Health, Art, Music.
  • Teacher requirement: Parent must have a high school diploma or GED
  • Portfolio / records: No portfolio is required by the state, though keeping records is recommended.
  • Testing / evaluation: Annual assessment required. Options include standardized tests, professional evaluation, or Georgia criterion-referenced tests. Keep results 3 years.
  • Recordkeeping: Keep your homeschool records for at least 3 years.

Key dates & deadlines

At the start of the yearFile your required notification with the district or state.
AnnuallyRenew your notification and complete the required assessment.

Getting started in Georgia

  1. File your required notification with your district or the state (see requirements above).
  2. Set up simple records: a log of instruction and samples of your child’s work.
  3. Choose curriculum covering Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, Reading, PE, Health, Art, Music.
  4. Plan for the required annual assessment or evaluation.
  5. Check your eligibility for Georgia Promise Scholarship, and start keeping receipts for anything you buy for school.
  6. Keep your records on file for at least 3 years.

Scholarships & funding in Georgia

Georgia homeschool families may be eligible for Georgia Promise Scholarship. Programs like this reimburse or directly fund approved purchases - curriculum, tutoring, testing, and often therapies - against categories the program sets, and every claim has to be documented with receipts. Application windows and award amounts change year to year, so check the official program page before you plan around them.

  • Georgia Promise Scholarship - Administered by Georgia Education Savings Authority. Typically covers private school tuition & required fees, curriculum & instructional materials, tutoring services. Every claim needs a receipt, and some categories need approval before you buy. Official information: https://mygeorgiapromise.org/

Official resources

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to notify the state to homeschool in Georgia?
Submit a Declaration of Intent to Provide Home Study to the local school superintendent by September 1 annually (or within 30 days of beginning).
Do I need to be a certified teacher?
Parent must have a high school diploma or GED
Is standardized testing required?
Annual assessment required. Options include standardized tests, professional evaluation, or Georgia criterion-referenced tests. Keep results 3 years.
How long should I keep records?
Keep your homeschool records for at least 3 years.
Is there scholarship or ESA funding for homeschoolers in Georgia?
Yes. Georgia runs Georgia Promise Scholarship. Eligibility, award amounts, and application windows are set by the program and change year to year, so confirm the current rules on the official page before you rely on them.
What subjects must I teach in Georgia?
Georgia requires you to cover Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, Reading, PE, Health, Art, Music. Beyond that the choice of curriculum and approach is yours.
How many days or hours of instruction does Georgia require?
Georgia expects about 180 hours of instruction a year. Logging lessons as you go is far easier than reconstructing the total later.
Track all of this automatically

Beyond My Books logs your Georgia instructional days, required subjects, portfolio, and deadlines - and warns you before anything is due.

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This guide is general information, not legal advice. Homeschool laws change - verify current requirements with your Georgia department of education or county superintendent.