Homeschool in Georgia — Laws, Requirements, and How to Start
Georgia is classified as a moderate homeschool state, requiring families to file an annual Declaration of Intent, teach five specific subjects, maintain attendance for 180 days per year, and administer standardized testing every three years. Georgia has a defined homeschool statute under Georgia Code Annotated 20-2-690, which provides clear and consistent requirements for all home education families in the state. browse ZAA enrollment plans
Georgia families looking for structured, faith-based education can explore Zion Academy’s full range of Georgia curriculum and programs serving students in all 50 states.
What Are the Legal Requirements to Homeschool in Georgia?
Georgia requires five things of homeschool families: an annual Declaration of Intent filed with the local school superintendent, instruction in five specified subjects, a school year equivalent to 180 days at a minimum of 4.5 hours per day, standardized testing every three years beginning at the end of 3rd grade, and a parent or guardian who holds at least a high school diploma or GED. Georgia’s requirements are specific and non-negotiable, but the state gives families broad latitude in how they satisfy each requirement.
Does Georgia Require Notification to Homeschool?
Georgia requires an annual Declaration of Intent filed with the local school superintendent. The Declaration of Intent must be filed by September 1 each year, or within 30 days of establishing a home study program if the family begins after September 1. This is an annual filing — Georgia families must submit a new Declaration every school year, not just when they begin homeschooling. The declaration covers the current school year and must be renewed each fall.
The Declaration of Intent must include:
1. The name and address of the parent or guardian
2. The name and date of birth of each child being homeschooled
3. Confirmation that the parent holds at least a high school diploma or GED
4. A statement that the home study program will cover the required subjects
5. Signature of the parent or guardian
Georgia families who start homeschooling at any point in the year must file within 30 days of beginning instruction. For complete step-by-step guidance on Georgia homeschool startup, see guide on how to homeschool.
What Subjects Must Georgia Homeschoolers Teach?
Georgia requires instruction in five specific subjects: reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. These five subjects are the complete list of required subjects under Georgia’s home study statute. Georgia does not mandate a specific curriculum, textbook, or program for teaching these subjects — families choose their own materials as long as instruction covers all five areas. The home study program must provide a “basic academic educational program” in these subjects.
The five required subjects in Georgia are:
1. Reading
2. Language arts (writing, grammar, composition)
3. Mathematics
4. Social studies
5. Science
Are Standardized Tests Required for Georgia Homeschoolers?
Georgia requires standardized testing every three years, beginning at the end of 3rd grade and continuing through 12th grade. The test must be a nationally standardized test. Georgia requires families to submit test scores to the local school superintendent — unlike some states where results are kept only at home. Georgia does not require students to achieve a minimum score; the reporting requirement exists for documentation purposes, not to evaluate performance against a state standard.
Georgia’s standardized testing requirements are:
1. Testing is required every 3 years (not annually)
2. First required test occurs at the end of 3rd grade
3. Testing continues at 3-year intervals through 12th grade
4. The test must be a nationally standardized achievement test
5. Results are reported to the local school superintendent
6. No minimum passing score is required
Is a Teaching Degree Required to Homeschool in Georgia?
No. Georgia does not require a teaching degree or educator’s license to homeschool. Georgia does require that the parent or guardian operating the home study program hold at least a high school diploma or GED. This is the only educational qualification required of Georgia homeschool parents.
How to Start Homeschooling in Georgia Step by Step
Starting homeschool in Georgia requires filing the Declaration of Intent, selecting a curriculum covering the five required subjects, setting up an attendance tracking system, and — if applicable — withdrawing the child from public school. The process can be completed before the start of the school year or within 30 days of beginning instruction. For a full walkthrough, see how to homeschool in Georgia.
How Do You Withdraw Your Child from Public School in Georgia?
A Georgia parent withdraws a child from public school by notifying the school in writing that the child will be attending a home study program. The letter should state clearly that the family is establishing a Georgia home study program under Georgia Code Annotated 20-2-690. Simultaneously with or before beginning instruction, the parent must file the Declaration of Intent with the local school superintendent. The public school is required to release the child’s academic records to the family upon request.
Steps to withdraw from a Georgia public school:
1. Write a withdrawal notice to the child’s current school stating the child is entering a home study program
2. Request release of academic records and transcripts
3. File the Declaration of Intent with the local school superintendent by September 1 or within 30 days of starting
4. Select a curriculum covering all five required subjects
5. Set up an attendance tracking system for 180 days at 4.5 hours per day minimum
6. Begin instruction
What Curriculum Options Work Best for Georgia Homeschool Families?
Georgia homeschool families are free to choose any curriculum that delivers instruction in the five required subjects. Georgia does not approve or restrict specific curricula. Many Georgia families who want a structured, complete program choose an accredited online school. understand accredited online homeschool program covers all five of Georgia’s required subjects and more, providing a full Christian curriculum from kindergarten through 12th grade with transcripts and accredited diplomas recognized by Georgia colleges and universities.
Common curriculum approaches used by Georgia homeschool families:
1. Accredited online school — structured curriculum, attendance tracking, transcripts, and diploma
2. Traditional textbook curriculum — workbook-based programs with defined scope and sequence
3. Classical education — trivium-based approach with grammar, logic, and rhetoric stages
4. Unit studies — thematic learning integrating all five required subjects
5. Eclectic approach — customized combination of multiple programs and methods
How Do Georgia Homeschoolers Handle Attendance Records?
Georgia homeschool families are required to maintain attendance records documenting 180 days of instruction per year at a minimum of 4.5 hours per day. This is a specific and legally enforceable requirement. Georgia families must submit a written progress report to the local school superintendent by October 1 each year, covering the prior school year. The progress report is not a detailed academic evaluation — it is a written statement confirming that instruction occurred — but it must be filed annually to remain in compliance with Georgia law.
Georgia attendance documentation best practices:
1. Record each school day with date and start/end time of instruction
2. Track cumulative days to verify 180-day minimum is met
3. Record subjects covered each day
4. Maintain a written progress report summarizing the year’s instruction
5. Submit progress report to local superintendent by October 1 each year
What Funding and Resources Help Georgia Homeschool Families?
Georgia offers a strong homeschool support network through the Georgia Home Education Association (GHEA) and dozens of local co-ops, though the state does not currently have a universal ESA or voucher program for homeschool families.
Does Georgia Have an Education Savings Account or Voucher Program?
[VERIFY: As of the current date, Georgia does not have a universal Education Savings Account (ESA) or school voucher program available to all homeschool families. Georgia has a Special Needs Scholarship Program for students with disabilities attending public schools, but this program is not generally available to homeschool families. Check the Georgia General Assembly’s current legislative session for any pending school choice legislation.] Families interested in financial support for homeschool expenses should consult the Georgia Home Education Association (GHEA) for updates on any state or federal funding opportunities.
What Homeschool Co-ops and Support Groups Exist in Georgia?
Georgia has a well-developed homeschool support community centered on the Georgia Home Education Association (GHEA). GHEA is the primary statewide advocacy organization, providing legal guidance, a state convention, and a member network. Local co-ops operate throughout Georgia, particularly in the Atlanta metro area, Savannah, Augusta, and Macon.
Key Georgia homeschool support organizations include:
1. Georgia Home Education Association (GHEA) — ghea.org — primary statewide advocacy organization
2. Georgia Homeschool Network — regional network with local chapter support
3. Atlanta-area co-ops — multiple large co-ops in the greater Atlanta metro area
4. Faith-based co-op networks serving Christian homeschool families across Georgia
5. Georgia Connections Academy and Georgia Virtual School — public online options (not homeschool)
Does Georgia Allow Homeschoolers to Participate in Public School Sports?
Georgia does not have a statewide law requiring public schools to allow homeschoolers to participate in interscholastic athletic programs through the Georgia High School Association (GHSA). Individual districts may permit homeschool students to participate at their discretion, but there is no statewide mandate. Georgia homeschool students seeking competitive athletics have access to GHEA-affiliated sports leagues, private homeschool leagues, club sports, and YMCA programs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Homeschooling in Georgia
Is homeschooling legal in Georgia?
Homeschooling is fully legal in Georgia under Georgia Code Annotated 20-2-690, also known as the Georgia Home Study statute. Georgia has had a defined home study law since 1984, providing a clear legal framework for families who educate their children at home. Families who comply with the Declaration of Intent, subject, attendance, and testing requirements are fully protected under Georgia law.
Can a Georgia homeschool student get a diploma?
Yes. Georgia homeschool graduates may receive a diploma issued by their home study program, which operates as a private school, or by an accredited private school they are enrolled in. An accredited diploma from a school such as Zion Academy is recognized by Georgia colleges and universities, employers, and military recruiters. Georgia family enrollment plans. Georgia public universities, including the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech, have established admissions processes for homeschool graduates.
What standardized tests can Georgia homeschoolers use?
Georgia accepts any nationally standardized achievement test for the triennial testing requirement. Commonly used tests include the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS), the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT10), the California Achievement Test (CAT), and the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement. High school students often use the SAT or ACT, which also satisfy the testing requirement. Georgia does not specify which test must be used — families choose based on their program and their child’s needs. No minimum score is required.
What happens if I miss the September 1 Declaration of Intent deadline in Georgia?
Georgia’s statute allows families who begin homeschooling after September 1 to file within 30 days of beginning instruction. For families who were already homeschooling and simply miss the annual renewal deadline, the safest course of action is to file immediately upon realizing the oversight and to document the delay. The Georgia Home Education Association (GHEA) recommends contacting the local superintendent’s office to explain the situation. There is no automatic penalty in the statute for a late filing, but maintaining good standing with the local office protects the family’s program.
Does Georgia require a progress report or just a declaration?
Georgia requires both. The Declaration of Intent is filed annually by September 1 at the start of each school year and establishes the home study program for that year. The written progress report is filed separately by October 1, covering the prior school year’s instruction. These are two distinct filings with separate deadlines, and both are required under Georgia law.
DISCLAIMER: This information is provided for general educational purposes and reflects our understanding of current homeschool laws as of 2026. Homeschool laws, regulations, and funding programs change frequently at the state, county, and district level. This page does not constitute legal advice. Families should verify current requirements directly with their state’s department of education, consult HSLDA.org for up-to-date legal guidance, or speak with a qualified attorney before making educational decisions based on this information.
Zion Academy is accepted in Georgia — Families across Georgia choose Zion Academy’s accredited online homeschool program for Christian education from kindergarten through 12th grade. enrollment plans for Georgia families
For a complete overview of homeschool laws across all states, visit homeschool law guide.