How to start homeschooling in Georgia
The legal steps, in order, checked against Georgia law.
Short answer: Georgia families homeschool through a home study program. A parent files a Declaration of Intent with the Georgia Department of Education within 30 days of starting and by September 1 each year after that. The program must teach five core subjects for the equivalent of 180 days of 4.5 hours, the parent writes an annual progress report, and the student takes a nationally standardized test at least every three years starting at the end of grade 3.
Checked against O.C.G.A. 20-2-690, as summarized in GaDOE, Georgia Home School: Information about home study programs (August 2025) on Nov 8, 2026. Compulsory school ages: 6 to 16. This is what the law says, not legal advice.
Home study program
Parents or guardians with at least a high school diploma or a state approved equivalency diploma who want to teach their own children at home.
Steps
- Confirm that the teaching parent or guardian, or a hired tutor, holds at least a high school diploma or a state approved high school equivalency diploma.
- Submit a Declaration of Intent to the Georgia Department of Education within 30 days of starting the program, online or by mail, fax, or email. List each student's name and age, the program address, the local school system, and the 12-month period you will treat as your school year.
- Keep a copy of the submitted Declaration of Intent. It is needed for driver's permits, licenses, and youth work permits.
- Teach reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science for the equivalent of 180 school days of at least 4.5 hours each.
- Write an annual progress report for each student covering each required subject, and keep it for at least three years.
- Arrange a nationally standardized test at least every three years beginning at the end of grade 3, given in consultation with a person trained in norm-referenced testing, and keep the scores.
- File a new Declaration of Intent by September 1 each year, and tell the department if your address changes or you stop the program.
| Notice to the state | Yes To: The Georgia Department of Education (Declaration of Intent) When: Within 30 days after starting the program, then by September 1 each year Official form |
|---|---|
| Subjects | A basic academic program that includes, at a minimum, reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. |
| Time | The equivalent of 180 school days per year, each with at least 4.5 school hours. Days a student spent in public or private school during the current school year may count toward the 180. |
| Parent qualifications | The teaching parent or guardian, or a hired tutor, must hold at least a high school diploma or a state approved high school equivalency diploma. Parents may teach only their own children. |
| Testing or evaluation | A nationally standardized test at least every three years, beginning at the end of grade 3, given in consultation with a person trained in administering and interpreting norm-referenced tests. Scores are kept by the parent, not submitted. |
| Records to keep | An annual written progress report for each student covering each required subject, kept for at least three years. Standardized test scores must also be kept. |
The law: O.C.G.A. 20-2-690, as summarized in GaDOE, Georgia Home School: Information about home study programs (August 2025) GaDOE Home Study Program Declaration of Intent Form (October 2025)
Leaving public school mid-year
The Georgia Department of Education says local school systems must have proof of a student's enrollment in a home school program within 45 days of the student's withdrawal from a Georgia public school, and the Declaration of Intent meets this requirement. A student who withdraws from public school to homeschool is not eligible for public school extracurricular or interscholastic activities for 12 months from the date the Declaration of Intent is submitted.
High school, transcripts and diplomas
The department does not provide a curriculum or diploma. If a home study student enrolls in a public school system, the local system decides academic placement and whether to award units of credit for homeschool courses, following at least State Board of Education Rule 160-5-1-.15. The parent has legal authority to sign documents showing the child's enrollment, status, and grades.
Public school sports and activities
Yes, for grades 6 to 12. Under the Dexter Mosely Act (O.C.G.A. 20-2-319.6), a home study student may join extracurricular and interscholastic activities at the resident public school. The parent must give written notice to the principal and superintendent at least 30 days before the semester, provide the most recent annual progress report with verification of passing grades, and the student must enroll in one qualifying course each semester of participation and meet the same rules and tryout requirements as other students. A student who withdraws from public school to homeschool must wait 12 months from the Declaration of Intent date.
After the paperwork
Common questions
Do I have to tell the state I am homeschooling in Georgia?
Yes, under the home study program route, you notify the Georgia Department of Education (Declaration of Intent) within 30 days after starting the program, then by September 1 each year.
Is testing required for homeschoolers in Georgia?
A nationally standardized test at least every three years, beginning at the end of grade 3, given in consultation with a person trained in administering and interpreting norm-referenced tests. Scores are kept by the parent, not submitted.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Georgia?
A basic academic program that includes, at a minimum, reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science.
What ages must be schooled in Georgia?
Ages 6 to 16, per state law.
Sources
- O.C.G.A. 20-2-690, as summarized in GaDOE, Georgia Home School: Information about home study programs (August 2025)
- GaDOE Home Study Program Declaration of Intent Form (October 2025)
- O.C.G.A. 20-2-319.6 (Dexter Mosely Act)
- Home School, Georgia Department of Education
We read each source on Nov 8, 2026 and recheck every guide each quarter. Laws change. If something here no longer matches the state, write to us and we will fix it.