Pennsylvania homeschool requirements
Pennsylvania is one of the most demanding states: a notarized annual affidavit by Aug 1, a portfolio with an annual evaluator review, 180 days / 900–990 hours, and a standardized test in grades 3, 5, and 8.
Last reviewed June 5, 2026 · corrected September 19, 2026 · Sources below
Pennsylvania homeschool requirements at a glance
- Notice
- RequiredWhere it goes: Superintendent of the resident school district. When: By August 1 each year.
- Required subjects
- English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Geography, World History (secondary), History (PA & U.S.), Civics, Health, Physical Education, Art, Music, Safety Education
- Instruction time
- 180 days or 900–990 hours by grade180 days or 900 hours/year at the elementary level (whichever is less); or 180 days or 990 hours/year at the secondary level (whichever is less). Per 24 P.S. § 13-1327.1.
- Testing or evaluation
- Yes — annual + grades 3, 5, 8Two distinct, cumulative requirements: (1) an annual portfolio evaluation by a qualified evaluator every year at every grade (certification submitted by June 30); and (2) additionally a standardized test in grades 3, 5, 8 (the parent may not administer it). Qualified evaluator = licensed psychologist, PA-certified teacher (2+ yrs), or nonpublic teacher/administrator.
- Records
- Yes — portfolio, assessment results, evaluations
- Parent qualifications
- Required
- Compulsory attendance ages
- 6–18
- Ways to homeschool
- Home education program (annual notarized affidavit + annual evaluator certification)
- Law
- 24 P.S. § 13-1327.1
- Official source
- pa.gov ↗
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania requires homeschooling families to file a notice. Where it goes: Superintendent of the resident school district. How: Notarized affidavit (or unsworn declaration) filed annually. When: By August 1 each year. The affidavit includes objectives by subject, an English-instruction assurance, immunization records, and a criminal-background certification.
What subjects does Pennsylvania require homeschoolers to teach?
Pennsylvania requires instruction in English/Language Arts; Mathematics; Science; Geography; World History (secondary); History (PA & U.S.); Civics; Health; Physical Education; Art; Music; and Safety Education. The elementary and secondary lists differ (24 P.S. § 13-1327.1(c)): arithmetic and health and physiology at the elementary level; at the secondary level, social studies to include civics, world history and the history of the United States and Pennsylvania, plus mathematics to include algebra and geometry. Economics, biology, chemistry, foreign languages and trigonometry are optional, at the supervisor's discretion. The four semesters of United States and Pennsylvania history and government sometimes quoted as a constitutions requirement come from 24 P.S. § 16-1605, which binds public, private and parochial schools — not a home education program.
How many days or hours of instruction does Pennsylvania require?
Pennsylvania's rule: 180 days or 900 hours/year at the elementary level (whichever is less); or 180 days or 990 hours/year at the secondary level (whichever is less). Per 24 P.S. § 13-1327.1.
Is standardized testing required to homeschool in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania requires a test or another accepted form of evaluation. How often: Portfolio evaluation annually; standardized test in grades 3, 5, 8. Accepted options: annual portfolio evaluation by a qualified evaluator (every year, all grades) and standardized achievement test in grades 3, 5, 8 (PSSA or a nationally-normed test; the parent may not administer it). Two distinct, cumulative requirements: (1) an annual portfolio evaluation by a qualified evaluator every year at every grade (certification submitted by June 30); and (2) additionally a standardized test in grades 3, 5, 8 (the parent may not administer it). Qualified evaluator = licensed psychologist, PA-certified teacher (2+ yrs), or nonpublic teacher/administrator.
What records do I need to keep to homeschool in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires these records: portfolio (work samples + activity log); standardized test results (grades 3, 5, 8); and annual written evaluation by a qualified evaluator. The portfolio is evaluated annually; the evaluator's certification (not the portfolio) is submitted to the superintendent by June 30.
Do parents need a teaching certificate or other qualification to homeschool in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania sets a qualification for the parent who teaches. The supervisor must hold a high-school diploma or GED (no teaching certificate required for standard home education under § 1327.1).
What ages does Pennsylvania's compulsory attendance law cover?
Pennsylvania's compulsory attendance law covers children from age 6 to age 18.
What are the ways to homeschool in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, families homeschool under this pathway: home education program (annual notarized affidavit + annual evaluator certification).
Is homeschooling legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Pennsylvania, as it is in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Pennsylvania is one of the most demanding states: a notarized annual affidavit by Aug 1, a portfolio with an annual evaluator review, 180 days / 900–990 hours, and a standardized test in grades 3, 5, and 8.
How to get started in Pennsylvania
Sources for Pennsylvania
Every requirement above comes from our review of Pennsylvania’s rules, checked against these sources on June 5, 2026 and corrected on September 19, 2026 after re-reading the official source for what changed. Homeschool law changes, and a state can amend its rules between our reviews — read the official source before you file anything or rely on a date here. How we review state requirements.
Nearby states
States that share a border with Pennsylvania:
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