Homeschooling in Georgia

Georgia operates a Home Study Program under O.C.G.A. §20-2-690(c). Filing is direct to the state Department of Education through an online portal — no longer to local school districts. Monthly attendance reports were eliminated in 2013, which significantly simplified ongoing compliance for Georgia families.

Legal framework at a glance

Legal options: Two pathways — Home Study Program (most common) or enrollment in a Private School / Umbrella School.

Notification: Home Study Program: submit an annual Declaration of Intent (DOI) to the Georgia Department of Education within 30 days of starting and by September 1 each subsequent year.

Instructional time: 180 days per year, with each school day consisting of at least 4.5 hours of instruction (810 hours per year) under the Home Study Program.

Required subjects: Reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science (the five core subjects).

Testing and evaluation: Nationally standardized test required every three years, beginning at the end of third grade (kept on file, not submitted to the state).

What Georgia families need to know

Declaration of Intent (DOI): filed annually with the Georgia Department of Education. Must include each child's name and age, the program location (home address), the local school system in which the home study program is located, and the 12-month period considered the school year. Filed within 30 days of starting initially, then by September 1 every year. The GA DOE provides an online portal at apps.gadoe.org.

Parent qualifications: the parent or guardian providing instruction (or any tutor employed) must possess at least a high school diploma or GED.

Annual progress assessment: parents must write a progress report each year covering each required subject. The report is kept on file for at least three years but is not submitted to the state.

Standardized testing: required at the end of grades 3, 6, and 9 (every three years starting at end of third grade). Test must be nationally normed (Iowa Test, CAT, Stanford Achievement, etc.). Georgia Milestones state tests do not satisfy this requirement. Results are kept by the family — they are not submitted to the state unless requested.

Dexter Mosely Act (2021): allows Georgia homeschool students in grades 6-12 to participate in public school extracurricular activities and sports, with a 12-month waiting period if withdrawing from public school.

Georgia Promise Scholarship (NEW for 2024-25): provides up to $6,500 per qualifying student. Eligibility is more limited than universal ESA programs in other states — primarily targets students transitioning from low-performing public schools. Verify current eligibility at the Georgia Department of Education.

Compulsory attendance: ages 6 through 16. The DOI must continue to be filed throughout high school even after age 16 until the student completes the program.

Always verify current requirements with the Georgia Department of Education before filing any official paperwork. State rules can change.

Diploma recognition

Georgia recognizes parent-issued homeschool diplomas. UGA, Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State, and other state institutions accept homeschool transcripts. The HOPE Scholarship program has specific eligibility criteria for homeschool graduates — verify current rules with the Georgia Student Finance Commission.

Getting started in Georgia

If you are new to homeschooling in Georgia, here is the practical sequence to follow:

1. Read the statute. Visit the Georgia Department of Education website and read the current homeschool regulations in full. The summary on this page is a starting point, but the official statute is the final authority.
2. Choose your legal pathway. Georgia offers specific options described above. Choose the one that fits your family before you file anything.
3. Prepare your notification. Gather the information required for your notice or registration — child's name, date of birth, address, subjects, curriculum plans, and anything else your chosen pathway requires.
4. File before withdrawing. If your child is currently in public school, file your homeschool notification before you send the withdrawal letter to the school. See our withdrawal guide for the full process.
5. Set up your record-keeping system. Even in low-regulation states, keep attendance records, a list of curriculum used, and samples of your child's work. See our record-keeping guide for what to save and how.
6. Connect with a local homeschool organization. Georgia has active statewide homeschool organizations (listed below) and usually several local co-ops in each region. These are your best source of current, practical information.

Georgia homeschool organizations

The following organizations provide advocacy, support, and current information for Georgia homeschool families:

• Georgia Home Education Association (GHEA) — Largest statewide Christian homeschool organization — ghea.org
• Home Educators of Georgia — Inclusive state homeschool group
• HSLDA Georgia — Legal defense and member support

Local homeschool co-ops often meet in libraries, churches, and community centers throughout the state. A search for "Georgia homeschool co-op [your city]" typically surfaces groups meeting near you. The statewide organizations listed above maintain co-op directories.

Beyond the legal requirements

Meeting Georgia's legal requirements is only the foundation. The day-to-day work of homeschooling — choosing a curriculum, teaching multiple children at different levels, building a transcript — is the larger task. Once your legal compliance is in order, explore the rest of this site:

Homeschool360 • Georgia State Guide