Pennsylvania · higher regulation
How to Homeschool in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania requires a notarized affidavit by Aug 1, a year-long portfolio with work samples, standardized tests in grades 3/5/8, and an annual evaluation filed with your district by Jun 30. 180 days or 900/990 hours.
Is homeschooling legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes — homeschooling is legal in every U.S. state. Pennsylvania is a higher-regulation state, meaning you file a notice and keep up several ongoing duties, such as reports, assessments, and instruction-hour records. Children roughly ages 6–18 must be enrolled in school or a legal homeschool.
How to get started
In Pennsylvania, you send a notice to your local school district superintendent. No statewide portal — the notarized affidavit and the year-end portfolio/evaluation go to your district superintendent. Many districts publish their own affidavit form; Primer generates a model affidavit and assembles the portfolio.
What Pennsylvania asks of homeschooling families
- Notarized affidavit. File a notarized affidavit with your district superintendent by Aug 1 listing the child, the required subjects, and evidence of parent qualification.
- Parent qualification. The supervising parent must hold a high-school diploma or GED.
- Days / hours of instruction. Provide 180 days OR 900 hours (elementary) / 990 hours (secondary) of instruction.
- Portfolio of records & materials. Keep a portfolio all year: a log of reading materials/activities, samples of work in each required subject, and the standardized test results where required.
- Annual evaluation. A PA-certified teacher or licensed psychologist reviews the portfolio and writes an annual evaluation certifying an appropriate education occurred; file it with the district by Jun 30.
- Standardized testing (grades 3, 5, 8). Administer a nationally normed standardized test in grades 3, 5, and 8; include results in the portfolio.
- Required subjects. Cover Pennsylvania's required subjects for the elementary and secondary levels.
Specific deadlines and details can change year to year and vary by district — always confirm the current rules with your district or state.
Keeping records
Keep the portfolio for at least two years after the school year it documents.
Primer keeps Pennsylvania homeschooling simple
Primer tracks every Pennsylvania deadline for you, helps generate the paperwork (notice of intent, attendance and hours logs, and more), and gives your whole family one shared weekly planner — on Mac, iPhone, iPad, and the web.
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A quick, important note. This guide is general information to help you get oriented — it isn't legal advice. Homeschool requirements change and can vary by local school district. Always confirm the current rules with your school district or your state's Department of Education before you file. Last reviewed 2026-06-10.