October 2026 · Legal
How to Start Homeschooling in Georgia: Declaration of Intent and First Steps
To start homeschooling in Georgia, submit a Declaration of Intent to the Georgia Department of Education within 30 days of starting your home study program, and by September 1 each year after. You'll teach reading, language arts, math, social studies and science for the equivalent of 180 days of 4.5 hours, write a short progress report each year, and give a nationally standardized test every three years starting at the end of 3rd grade. You keep the records yourself; you don't send them in.
The Declaration takes a few minutes online, and the rest is routine you set yourself.
Georgia Homeschool Law at a Glance
Notify the state?
Yes, a Declaration
Deadline: Within 30 days of starting, then by September 1 each year
File online with the GaDOE or by mail, email or fax. GaDOE shares a copy with your local school system.
Instruction time
180 days
Daily minimum: At least 4.5 school hours per day
You set your own 12-month school year in the Declaration.
Who can teach?
Parent with a diploma
Requirement: High school diploma or state-approved equivalency (HSE)
Parents may teach only their own children; a tutor must also hold at least a high school diploma or HSE.
Step by Step: Starting Homeschool in Georgia
1. Submit your Declaration of Intent
Use the GaDOE online form. By law it lists each student's name and age, the program address, your local school system and the 12-month period you'll treat as your school year. Print or save the confirmation. If your child is enrolled in public school now, let the school know you're withdrawing to a home study program.
2. Teach the five core subjects
Reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies and science, for 180 days of at least 4.5 hours. Not sure what curriculum fits? Our free homeschool style quiz helps.
3. Write an annual progress report
Each year, write a short assessment of your child's progress in each of the five subjects. Keep these reports for at least three years. Our printable workbook has progress pages that make this easy.
4. Test every three years from the end of 3rd grade
Use an appropriate nationally standardized test, administered in consultation with someone trained in norm-referenced testing. Keep the scores; you don't submit them.
Common Georgia Questions, Answered
- Do I report attendance monthly? GaDOE's current overview does not list a monthly attendance report for home study programs; the Declaration is the filing. Keep your own records of days.
- Can my teen play public school sports? Georgia law allows qualifying home study students in grades 6–12 to participate in certain extracurricular and interscholastic activities in their resident school; check GaDOE's Declaration page for details.
- Other states? See our state-by-state overview.
Want the Whole First Month Mapped Out?
The Homeschool Starter Guide ($19) walks you through choosing an approach, planning your year, selecting curriculum, scheduling and record-keeping, and includes a state-by-state legal reference.
Sources We Used
- Georgia Department of Education: Georgia Home School Overview (August 2025 update, PDF)
- Georgia Department of Education: Home School Declaration of Intent
- O.C.G.A. §20-2-690 (home study programs)
- U.S. Department of Education: Georgia State Regulations of Private and Home Schools
- HSLDA: Georgia Homeschool Law
This is general information, not legal advice. We last checked these rules against the sources below in October 2026. Laws change, so confirm with the official sources before you file anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Next steps for your homeschool
Ready to go deeper? Get The Homeschool Starter Guidefor the complete step-by-step roadmap, or book a 1-on-1 consultationand we'll build a plan together for your family.
