How to Homeschool in Georgia
If you live in the state famous for its peaches, and you are considering homeschooling, you’ve come to the right place! The path to homeschooling in Georgia is fairly straightforward. While there are a few rules and requirements, Georgia gives parents freedom of choice in their children’s education.
Whether you’ve homeschooled before or are making the switch for the first time, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to homeschool in GA!
Homeschooling in Georgia at a Glance
Georgia – The Peach State
| Required Age | 6-16 |
| Standardized Testing | Yes |
| Subjects | Math, science, ELA, social studies, reading |
| Time Requirements | 4.5 hours per day for 180 days |
| Graduation Requirements | Determined by parent |
| Special Requirements | Parent must have high school diploma or equivalent |
| Financial Resources Available | Yes |
Parent Qualifications
GA homeschool laws require parents to have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Parents may also hire a tutor to instruct their child, provided the tutor fulfills this requirement.
Declaration of Intent
Withdrawing your child from school and filing a Declaration of Intent (DOI) will be your first step in your homeschooling journey. You must submit your completed DOI within 30 days of beginning homeschool and renew it by September 1st annually. The Georgia Department of Education recommends submitting the form online, but you may also fax, mail, or email it.
This form will include:
- The names and ages of your students
- The location of your home study program
- The name of your local school district
- The 12-month period that you consider to be your home study program’s school year.
Attendance
To homeschool in Georgia, parents must provide instruction at least 180 days a year for a minimum of 4.5 hours per day. If a child is physically unable to do so, they are exempt from this requirement.
Homeschool Curriculum
There are five required subjects:
- Math
- Science
- English language arts
- Social studies
- Reading
You may also add other subjects or electives to your curriculum.
There are no restrictions on which curriculum or format you may use.
Accredited Homeschool Programs
Since you have so much freedom over the curriculum you choose, you have the option to choose an accredited homeschool curriculum! Accredited homeschool programs must meet high standards of academic quality and rigor to maintain their accreditation status. The good news is, Miacademy’s online homeschool program is fully accredited by the ACS-WASC!
Record Keeping
The only record you must submit to the state is your DOI.
However, you do need to create and keep annual progress reports, although you won’t submit them to anyone. These progress reports should include each subject for each student and need to be kept for a minimum of three years. Having a thorough homeschool portfolio can make these reports a breeze!
When creating your portfolio, be sure to include:
- A copy of your DOI and any school correspondence
- A list of subjects studied
- All report cards or grades earned
- All standardized test scores
- Any work from, or a list of, extracurricular activities
Testing
Beginning in third grade, you must give at least one nationally normed standardized test to your child every three years. The test must be taken in the presence of a trained testing administrator. You can register for testing through a local homeschool association or by contacting a third-party testing service.
Transcripts
While transcripts are not required to homeschool, they are often a requirement for college applications. A transcript should include all course names, credit hours, and final grades earned from grades 9th-12th. You can make your own transcripts or enroll in an online homeschool program that provides them for you.
Graduation Requirements
In Georgia, parents can decide when their child is ready to graduate and are responsible for providing a homeschool diploma. To determine student readiness, many parents look to the Georgia Standards of Excellence to help them make the decision.
Financial Resources
If you’re looking for financial aid to cover the cost of homeschooling, you’re in luck! The Georgia GOAL Scholarship is available for students K-12 and can pay up to 90% of tuition expenses. Georgia residents who have attended public school for at least six weeks prior are eligible to apply.
In addition, families may claim a tax credit for donating to private school scholarships through the Georgia Private School Tax Credit, or claim the PEACH Public School Tax Credit.
Other Tips & Resources
For further information about homeschooling requirements in Georgia, check out:
Miacademy’s online accredited K-8 program and 9-12 programs can help you homeschool in Georgia with ease! If you have any questions about whether Miacademy or MiaPrep would be the best homeschool curriculum for your family, please reach out to our customer service team! They’ll be happy to help you find the answers you need.
The information provided is intended for research purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. To obtain accurate and comprehensive details on Georgia homeschool laws, we recommend consulting the official resources and guidelines provided by your state. Additionally, staying informed about any changes to these laws is important, so be sure to look out for any updates.
FAQ
What are the requirements to homeschool in Georgia?
The Georgia homeschool requirements are:
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Submit a Declaration of Intent annually within 30 days of homeschooling
- Teach the required subjects for 4.5 hours per day for 180 days
- Administer a standardized test at least every three years, beginning in third grade
- Write annual progress reports for each student in each subject
Do homeschoolers have to take standardized tests in Georgia?
Yes, Georgia homeschool students must take a standardized test at least every three years, beginning in third grade.
How many hours of homeschool are required in Georgia?
At least 4.5 hours per day for at least 180 days a year.
Information accurate as of: 04/25/2024. The information provided on this site is intended for research purposes only. Miaplaza is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outdated information, or for the results yielded through use of this information.