Homeschool Laws in Pennsylvania (2026)

Pennsylvania requires an annual affidavit, portfolio, and evaluation. Most paperwork-heavy state outside New York.

Quick facts at a glance

Compulsory Age

6 to 18

Notification

Submit a notarized Affidavit of Home Education to your superintendent by August…

Required Hours/Days

180 days per year, OR 900 hours elementary / 990 hours secondary

Evaluation Required

Annual portfolio review by a qualified evaluator, plus stand…

Notification & registration

Submit a notarized Affidavit of Home Education to your superintendent by August 1 (or before starting mid-year) and annually thereafter.

Required subjects in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania requires homeschool families to cover the following subject areas:

Elementary: English (including spelling, reading, writing), Math, Science, Geography, Social Studies, Civics, Safety Education, Health, Phys Ed, Music, Art. Secondary: adds American Literature, Algebra, Geometry, Biology, Chemistry, World History, plus electives.

Hours & days of instruction

180 days per year, OR 900 hours elementary / 990 hours secondary

Evaluations & testing

Annual portfolio review by a qualified evaluator, plus standardized testing in grades 3, 5, and 8.

Recordkeeping requirements

Maintain a detailed portfolio. Submit evaluator's letter to superintendent annually.

Tip: Homeschool Moment automatically organises every learning moment with a date, AI-written description, and subject tags — producing a portfolio-ready PDF that satisfies most state recordkeeping rules.

Legal homeschool options in Pennsylvania

File Affidavit of Home Education and submit annual evaluation
Enroll under a Pennsylvania-approved religious school (alternate path)

How to start homeschooling in Pennsylvania

Have your Affidavit of Home Education notarized.
Submit by August 1 to your local superintendent.
Submit a withdrawal letter to your child's public school if applicable.
Plan curriculum across all required subjects.
Maintain a portfolio and arrange a qualified evaluator review by year-end.

Read the full step-by-step start guide for Pennsylvania →

Notes & nuances

Many families choose the religious school option (e.g. Pennsylvania Homeschoolers Accreditation Agency) to simplify reporting.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Pennsylvania homeschool affidavit due?

By August 1 each year, notarized and submitted to your superintendent.

What is a Pennsylvania homeschool evaluator?

A qualified person (licensed teacher or psychologist) who reviews your portfolio annually.

What grades require testing in Pennsylvania?

Grades 3, 5, and 8.

Disclaimer: This page summarises commonly known Pennsylvania homeschool requirements as of 2026. Laws change. For official, up-to-date legal guidance, consult the HSLDA state guide or your state Department of Education before withdrawing your child or filing paperwork. Homeschool Moment is an educational documentation app, not legal counsel.

Make Pennsylvania compliance effortless

Capture moments in 10 seconds, let AI write the descriptions, and generate Pennsylvania-friendly portfolio PDFs at year-end.

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