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Georgia Homeschool Laws

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Last Updated On
byM Lycurgus

Georgia families homeschool through a home study program under state law. School is required from a child’s sixth birthday until the sixteenth birthday. To begin, you file a Declaration of Intent with the Georgia Department of Education. File it within 30 days of starting. After that, file it by September 1 each year. You can file online, by mail, by fax, or by email. The declaration lists each child’s name and age and your address. It also names your school system and your 12-month school year. A teaching parent needs a high school diploma or equivalency diploma. Parents may teach only their own children.

Day to day, you teach reading, language arts, math, social studies, and science. Instruction must equal 180 days a year, with at least four and a half hours each day. Starting at the end of third grade, your child takes a national test every three years. You keep the scores but do not send them in. You also write a yearly progress report in each subject. Keep each report for at least three years. Home study students may join school sports and activities under the Dexter Mosely Act. They may also take the SAT and similar exams at their local schools. For full details on each topic, open the sections below.

Georgia requires children to attend a public school, private school, or home study program between their sixth and sixteenth birthdays (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690.1; HSLDA: Compulsory School Age in Georgia). Georgia law recognizes public schools, private schools, and home study programs as educational entities (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690(a)).

Home study is the one homeschool option in Georgia (HSLDA: Georgia Homeschool Laws). The rules are in section 20-2-690(c) and are summarized below.

Standardized testing: Home study students must take an appropriate nationally standardized test at least every three years, beginning at the end of third grade. The test must be given in consultation with a person trained in giving and interpreting norm-referenced tests. Keep the records and scores, but you do not have to submit them to public school officials (§ 20-2-690(c)(7); GaDOE: Georgia Home School overview).

Annual progress report: The instructor writes a yearly progress assessment report for each student. It gives your own assessment of progress in each required subject. Keep each report for at least three years (§ 20-2-690(c)(8)).

Georgia has no portfolio review requirement.

A home study program must provide a basic academic program that includes, but is not limited to, reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science (§ 20-2-690(c)(4)). The Georgia Department of Education does not provide or endorse a curriculum. Parents choose the course of study and materials (GaDOE overview).

Declaration of Intent: Submit a Declaration of Intent to the Georgia Department of Education within 30 days after starting a home study program and by September 1 each year after that (§ 20-2-690(c)(1)). It must list the names and ages of the students, the address of the program, the local school system, and the 12-month period that is your school year (§ 20-2-690(c)(2)).

How to file: Use the online Declaration of Intent form, or print the form and send it by email, fax, or mail. Contact: homeschool@doe.k12.ga.us. Keep a copy for your records (GaDOE overview; GaDOE: Home School).

Leaving public school: Local school systems must have proof of home study enrollment within 45 days after a student withdraws. The Declaration of Intent meets this requirement (GaDOE overview).

State forms and procedures may not go beyond what the law requires (§ 20-2-690(e)).

Georgia law requires instruction equal to 180 school days each 12 months, with each day at least four and one-half school hours, unless the child is physically unable to comply (§ 20-2-690(c)(5)). The statute does not require you to submit attendance records. HSLDA recommends keeping attendance records, samples of work, test results, and other documents showing compliance (HSLDA: Recordkeeping in Georgia).

None. Georgia does not require home study programs to join an umbrella school or other organization (HSLDA: How to Comply with Georgia’s Homeschool Law).

The teaching parent or guardian must have at least a high school diploma or a state-approved high school equivalency (HSE) diploma. Parents may teach only their own children. They may hire a tutor who also holds a high school diploma or HSE diploma (§ 20-2-690(c)(3)). No teaching certificate is required.

Yes. Under the Dexter Mosely Act, home study students in grades 6-12 may take part in extracurricular and interscholastic activities in their resident public school system (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-319.6; GaDOE overview). Requirements include (HSLDA: Public School Access in Georgia):

  • At least 30 days before the semester, the parent notifies the school system, provides the latest annual progress report, and gives written verification of passing grades and satisfactory progress.
  • The student enrolls in and attempts one qualifying course each semester of participation, such as a virtual course, a dual enrollment course, or a required on-site course.
  • The student meets the same age, academic, conduct, and other rules, follows the same code of conduct, and completes the same tryouts as enrolled students.

A student who leaves a public school to begin home study generally is not eligible for 12 months (§ 20-2-319.6).

None for homeschoolers (HSLDA: Georgia Homeschool Laws).

Exams at local schools: SB 63 (2025) requires school systems that offer the PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, PreACT, ACT, ASVAB, or Advanced Placement exams to offer them to resident home study students in grades 6-12. Systems must post test dates and registration details online and may not add fees or requirements. The law took effect July 1, 2025 (Georgia General Assembly: SB 63).

Parent signatures: The parent may sign any document needed to show enrollment, grades, or other education information, including documents for a driver’s license or a work permit (§ 20-2-690(c)(6)). For a driving permit, license, or youth work permit, bring a copy of the Declaration of Intent with the 36-character parent signature (GaDOE overview).

Dual enrollment: Eligible home study students may use the state Dual Enrollment program through GAfutures (GAfutures: Home Study Programs).

Returning to public school: The local school system decides grade placement and credit for home study courses, following State Board Rule 160-5-1-.15 (GaDOE overview).

Learning pods: Georgia law protects voluntary parent learning pods from most school and child care regulations (§ 20-2-690(f)).

Penalty: Operating a home study program without meeting the requirements is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $100 (§ 20-2-690(d)).

Last reviewed: November 2, 2026

*The information on this page is for general use only. It should not be taken as legal advice. It is believed to be accurate however state and federal laws change every year. Homeschool.net recommends joining an organization such as the Home School Legal Defense Association before your homeschooling adventure begins. HSLDA can provide complete, accurate, legal advice and services for homeschooling families.

Update History

  • November 2, 2026
    • Law change: Added SB 63 (2025), which opens the PSAT, SAT, ACT, ASVAB, AP, and similar exams at local schools to home study students in grades 6-12, effective July 1, 2025 (SB 63).
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