Georgia · Some paperwork

Homeschooling in Georgia

Georgia asks you to file a notice before you begin. Here is what goes in it, when it is due, and what happens after.

VerifiedMarch 2026

Notice of intentFile every yearWithin 30 days of starting; then September 1 annually for returning families

Yearly assessmentYes, each year

Instruction time180 days, at least 4.5 hours a day

RecordsKeep 3 years

How to start homeschooling in Georgia

Written from Georgia's own rules. If a step is missing below, it is because your state does not ask for it.

Withdraw from the school your child attends now
If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, tell the school in writing that you are moving to home education. Keep a dated copy for yourself — it is the record that closes out their enrollment.
Send your notice of intent
Georgia asks families to file a notice before they begin. The deadline is: Within 30 days of starting; then September 1 annually for returning families You will do this again at the start of every school year. It goes to Georgia Department of Education (Declaration of Intent) / Local Public School Superintendent (umbrella school reporting).
Cover the subjects the state names
Georgia names 5 subject areas to teach. How you teach them, in what order, and with which materials is entirely up to you.
Keep a light record as you go
Attendance, a few work samples each term, and a running list of what you covered. Georgia expects records to be kept for 3 years.
Plan the yearly assessment early
Georgia asks for an assessment each year. You can choose from: At least one nationally normed standardized test administered every three years beginning in grade 3; test must be given in the presence of a trained testing administrator; Scores do not need to be submitted to the state — parent retains results; Annual written progress assessment report in each required subject (retained for 3 years). Deciding in the autumn which route you will take saves a scramble in the spring.

Source: Georgia Department of Education (Declaration of Intent) / Local Public School Superintendent (umbrella school reporting) — www.gadoe.org/External-Affairs-and-Policy/Policy/Pages/Home-School.aspx. Checked March 2026.

Your notice of intent

Who receives it: Georgia Department of Education (Declaration of Intent) / Local Public School Superintendent (umbrella school reporting)
When it is due: Within 30 days of starting; then September 1 annually for returning families
How often: Every school year
Notarized?: No
Official form: apps.gadoe.org/Pages/Home-Study-DOI.aspx
Ongoing reporting: Yes, once a year

Testing, portfolios and reviews

Assessment: Required each year
Ways to meet it: At least one nationally normed standardized test administered every three years beginning in grade 3; test must be given in the presence of a trained testing administrator
Scores do not need to be submitted to the state — parent retains results
Annual written progress assessment report in each required subject (retained for 3 years)
Named tests: Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS)Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10)CAT/5TerraNovaAny nationally normed standardized achievement test
Portfolio: Not required

What you teach, and what you keep

Required subjects: MathematicsEnglish Language ArtsReadingScienceSocial Studies
Instruction time: 180 days, at least 4.5 hours a day
Who may teach: No teaching certificate, degree, or credential is required of you.
Keeping records: Keep your records for 3 years.
Legal routes: Home Study Program — file annual Declaration of Intent with GA DOE, provide 180 days/4.5 hrs instruction, cover 5 required subjects, administer standardized test every 3 years (starting grade 3), retain annual written progress reports for 3 years
Enroll in a private school or umbrella school — the school handles compliance; families teach at home under school oversight (umbrella school must operate 180 days, cover required subjects, report enrollment to local superintendent monthly)
Umbrella / cover schools: Georgia umbrella/cover schools are private schools that enroll homeschooled students and provide administrative oversight. They must operate for 180 days, teach required core subjects, and report enrollment and withdrawals to the local public school superintendent monthly. Examples include Georgia Cyber Academy, Bridgeway Academy, and numerous local Christian cover schools. The Georgia Home Education Association (GHEA at ghea.org) maintains resources for both pathways.

Sports, dual enrollment and life after high school

Public school sports: The Dexter Mosely Act (Senate Bill 42, signed by Gov. Kemp in 2021) authorizes homeschool students in grades 6–12 to participate in extracurricular and interscholastic activities at their resident public school. Students must enroll in at least one course per semester at the school to participate in sports/activities. A 12-month waiting period applies if a student withdraws from public school to homeschool. Eligibility requirements mirror those for enrolled students.
Dual enrollment: Georgia's Dual Enrollment program (funded by the Georgia Student Finance Commission) is open to home study program students. It pays for approved postsecondary courses that count toward both home study completion and college degree requirements. Students must meet postsecondary institution placement requirements. GSFC maintains a list of approved courses.
Diplomas: No state-issued diploma for home study program students. Parents issue diplomas and transcripts. Umbrella school students may receive a diploma from the umbrella school. Accredited online programs (Northgate, Bridgeway, etc.) offer recognized diplomas.
College admissions: Georgia public universities (UGA, Georgia Tech, Georgia State) have homeschool admissions policies requiring SAT/ACT scores, a detailed transcript, and course descriptions. Dual enrollment records strengthen applications significantly.
Support for additional needs: Homeschooled students in Georgia do not retain FAPE rights. Families may request a Child Find evaluation from the local school district. Access to speech or OT services is at district discretion and varies widely by county.

Money your family can claim in Georgia

Georgia Promise Scholarship

Run by Georgia Student Finance Commission · payments through Odyssey

The award amount is set by the program and changes from year to year. Check the official page below for this year's figure rather than an estimate.

Curriculum, supplemental materials, and technology are named as covered expenses.
Tutors must be Georgia PSC-certified educators.

Source: mygeorgiapromise.org/. Checked July 26, 2026. Eligibility and application dates are set by the program — the official page is always the last word.

Questions parents ask about Georgia

Is homeschooling legal in Georgia?

Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Georgia. Georgia has moderate homeschool regulation — some requirements apply but they are generally manageable. Koydo can track your compliance automatically.

Do I need to file a Notice of Intent to homeschool in Georgia?

Yes. Georgia requires families to file a Notice of Intent by Within 30 days of starting; then September 1 annually for returning families. This notice must be renewed annually.

How many instruction days are required in Georgia?

Georgia requires 180 days, at least 4.5 hours a day.

What subjects are required by law in Georgia?

Georgia requires instruction in the following subjects: Mathematics, English Language Arts, Reading, Science, Social Studies.

Does Georgia require annual assessment for homeschoolers?

Yes. Georgia requires annual assessment. Accepted methods include: At least one nationally normed standardized test administered every three years beginning in grade 3; test must be given in the presence of a trained testing administrator, Scores do not need to be submitted to the state — parent retains results, Annual written progress assessment report in each required subject (retained for 3 years).

Do I need a teaching certificate to homeschool in Georgia?

No. Georgia does not require parents to hold a teaching certificate or any specific educational credential to homeschool their children.

Can homeschoolers participate in public school sports in Georgia?

Yes. Georgia has a law (sometimes called a "Tim Tebow" law) allowing homeschooled students to participate in public school extracurricular activities. The Dexter Mosely Act (Senate Bill 42, signed by Gov. Kemp in 2021) authorizes homeschool students in grades 6–12 to participate in extracurricular and interscholastic activities at their resident public school. Students must enroll in at least one course per semester at the school to participate in sports/activities. A 12-month waiting period applies if a student withdraws from public school to homeschool. Eligibility requirements mirror those for enrolled students.

Worth knowing about Georgia

Georgia is considered moderate-regulation. The annual DOI, 180-day/4.5-hour requirement, and every-3-year testing are the core compliance items. Written annual progress reports must be retained but not filed. The GHEA (ghea.org) is the primary state advocacy group. Most families choose the direct home study pathway; umbrella schools are popular especially for families wanting transcripts for college admission.

Who to ask in Georgia

Regulator: Georgia Department of Education (Declaration of Intent) / Local Public School Superintendent (umbrella school reporting)
Official site: www.gadoe.org/External-Affairs-and-Policy/Policy/Pages/Home-School.aspx
Forms: apps.gadoe.org/Pages/Home-Study-DOI.aspx

Free tools for your first year

Everything below works whether or not you ever pay us a penny. Use what helps with Georgia's requirements and ignore the rest.

Transcript builderBuild a clean high-school transcript with GPA and credits, ready to send to a college.Paperwork generatorFill in your details and get the letter or affidavit your state expects, already worded for it.Printable worksheetsPrint practice pages by grade and subject for the days a screen is the wrong answer.Instruction day logTick off days as you go so the count is already done when your state asks for it.State fundingSee whether your state puts education money in your hands, and how to claim it.Starting guideThe whole first year in five steps, written for someone who has never done this before.

Other states

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Hawaii Idaho All 51 →

This page was written from Georgia's published rules and last checked in March 2026. Laws change between checks, so confirm anything you are about to file with Georgia Department of Education (Declaration of Intent) / Local Public School Superintendent (umbrella school reporting). This is information for families, not legal advice.

Loading…