Homeschool Guide

How to Homeschool in Pennsylvania

Here is exactly what Pennsylvania 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
Required
Testing / evaluation
Required

Pennsylvania homeschool requirements

  • Notification: Submit an annual affidavit to your local school district superintendent by August 1. Include parent qualifications, objectives, and textbook list.
  • Required subjects: Cover English, Math, Science, Geography, History of PA and US, Civics, Safety, Health/PE, Music, Art.
  • Teacher requirement: Parent must hold a high school diploma or its equivalent
  • Portfolio / records: Keep a comprehensive portfolio (annual portfolio, log of instruction, student work samples). Submit to a certified evaluator annually. Evaluator submits a written evaluation to the school district.
  • Testing / evaluation: Annual assessment required in grades 3, 5, and 8. Either standardized testing OR evaluation by a PA-certified teacher.
  • Recordkeeping: No retention period is set by the state; keep records organized year to year.

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 Pennsylvania

  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 English, Math, Science, Geography, History of PA and US, Civics, Safety, Health/PE, Music, Art.
  4. Plan for the required annual assessment or evaluation.
  5. Check your eligibility for Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Scholarship or Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC), and start keeping receipts for anything you buy for school.
  6. Keep your records organized from year to year.

Scholarships & funding in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania homeschool families may be eligible for Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Scholarship and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC). 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.

  • Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Scholarship - Administered by PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) via SGOs. Typically covers private school tuition & required fees, curriculum & instructional materials, tutoring services, educational technology, testing & assessment. Every claim needs a receipt, and some categories need approval before you buy. Official information: https://dced.pa.gov/programs/educational-improvement-tax-credit-program-eitc/
  • Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) - Administered by PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) via SGOs. Typically covers private school tuition & required fees, curriculum & instructional materials, tutoring services, educational technology, testing & assessment. Every claim needs a receipt, and some categories need approval before you buy. Official information: https://dced.pa.gov/programs/opportunity-scholarship-tax-credit-program-ostc/

Official resources

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to notify the state to homeschool in Pennsylvania?
Submit an annual affidavit to your local school district superintendent by August 1. Include parent qualifications, objectives, and textbook list.
Do I need to be a certified teacher?
Parent must hold a high school diploma or its equivalent
Is standardized testing required?
Annual assessment required in grades 3, 5, and 8. Either standardized testing OR evaluation by a PA-certified teacher.
How long should I keep records?
No retention period is mandated, but keeping thorough records is strongly recommended.
Is there scholarship or ESA funding for homeschoolers in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania runs Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Scholarship and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC). 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires you to cover English, Math, Science, Geography, History of PA and US, Civics, Safety, Health/PE, Music, Art. Beyond that the choice of curriculum and approach is yours.
How many days or hours of instruction does Pennsylvania require?
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania department of education or county superintendent.