How to start homeschooling in Georgia

Everything you need to legally begin homeschooling in Georgia, broken into clear steps. Plan to spend about an hour completing the paperwork before your first day.

The short version

Georgia requires monthly attendance reports and annual standardized testing every three years starting in third grade.

The full process, step by step

Step 1

Submit a Declaration of Intent to the Georgia Department of Education by September 1 (or within 30 days of starting).

Step 2

Submit a withdrawal letter to your child's public school if applicable.

Step 3

Plan a 180-day, 4.5-hour-per-day curriculum.

Step 4

Track and submit monthly attendance reports.

Step 5

Arrange standardized testing in grades 3, 6, 9, and 12.

Things that help on day one

A binder, folder, or app to keep paperwork in one place.
Your child's most recent report card or academic records.
A simple weekly rhythm sketched out — even one bullet list of subjects per day.
A camera or phone for documenting the first weeks of moments.
A list of any homeschool co-ops, libraries, or community groups in your area.

Disclaimer: This guide summarises commonly known Georgia homeschool requirements. Laws change. For official, up-to-date legal guidance, consult the HSLDA state guide or your state Department of Education before submitting paperwork.

Read the full Georgia homeschool law summary →

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