Homeschooling in Georgia

General compulsory attendance covers children ages 6 to 16. Early public-school enrollment can also trigger attendance duties, so parents must confirm the starting-age exception before withdrawing a younger child.

Parents must submit a Declaration of Intent to GaDOE within 30 days of establishing a home study program and annually by September 1 thereafter. The filing must use the current state form, include children's names and ages, home-study address, local school system, and the 12-month school-year period, and must not be sent solely to the local district.

A teaching parent, guardian, or hired tutor must hold at least a high-school diploma or a state-approved equivalency diploma. Parents retain responsibility when purchasing classes or tutoring.

Instruction must cover reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science.

Programs must provide the equivalent of 180 instructional days per 12 months, with at least 4½ hours per day, unless the child is physically unable to comply.

Nationally standardized testing must be administered at least every three years, beginning at the end of third grade, in consultation with someone trained in test administration and interpretation. Results must be retained by the parent.

Parents must prepare an individualized annual progress report for each required subject and retain the reports for at least three years. These records, along with declaration confirmations, test results, and attendance records, are kept by the parent and are not routinely submitted to public authorities.