Homeschooling in Pennsylvania: Laws & Requirements (2026)

Pennsylvania is known for having some of the most detailed homeschool regulations in the country. The Keystone State requires annual affidavits, comprehensive portfolios, evaluator reviews, and standardized testing at specific grades. For families coming from less regulated states, the paperwork can feel overwhelming at first.

That said, Pennsylvania's requirements are predictable and manageable once you understand the system. Thousands of families navigate this successfully each year. The portfolio requirement, while demanding, often becomes a treasured record of your child's educational journey. This guide breaks down each requirement, the available pathways, and practical strategies from experienced Pennsylvania homeschool families.

Pennsylvania Homeschool Requirements at a Glance

Understanding Pennsylvania's Requirements

Pennsylvania homeschooling operates under Act 169 of the School Code, which creates a structured but navigable system. The law distinguishes between "home education programs" (what most people mean by homeschooling), "private tutoring," and various private school options.

Why Pennsylvania requires more: The state legislature designed these requirements to ensure accountability while respecting parental rights. Each component serves a specific purpose: the affidavit establishes your legal status, the portfolio documents ongoing instruction, the evaluator provides an objective assessment, and standardized testing creates benchmarks at key grade levels.

What experienced families say: Most veterans describe the first year as the steepest learning curve. By year two or three, the requirements become routine. Many families grow to appreciate the portfolio—it creates a concrete record of progress that proves valuable for high school transcripts and college applications.

Your Homeschool Options in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania provides three main pathways for educating your children at home. The overwhelming majority of families choose the home education program, but alternatives exist for different situations.

Home Education Program (Most Common): You file directly with your school district, teach at home using curriculum you select, maintain a portfolio, and work with a certified evaluator annually. This path offers maximum curriculum flexibility while meeting state requirements.

Private Tutoring: A certified Pennsylvania teacher instructs your child for at least 180 days. The tutor handles curriculum and assessment. This works if you want credentialed instruction but isn't practical for most homeschool families due to cost and availability.

Cyber Charter Schools: Pennsylvania's tuition-free online public schools are technically public school enrollment, not homeschooling. You lose curriculum control but gain structured programs, provided materials, and certified teacher support. Popular options include PA Cyber, Agora, and Insight PA.

Umbrella Programs: Some private schools offer satellite or umbrella programs where your home becomes an extension campus. Requirements vary by program—some handle most paperwork while others simply provide covering.

Comparing Your Options

How to Start Homeschooling in Pennsylvania

The Affidavit: Your Annual Filing

The affidavit is your official notification to the school district that you're homeschooling. It's a legal document that must be notarized and filed before you begin each school year.

What to include: Your affidavit must contain your name, address, and phone number; names and ages of children you'll be educating; assurance that required subjects will be taught; evidence of immunizations (or exemption); and confirmation of your high school education.

Filing deadline: Submit by the date specified by your district—typically August 1 for a September start. If you begin mid-year, file within 30 days of starting.

Objectives attachment: Along with the affidavit, submit educational objectives for each required subject. These outline what you'll cover but don't lock you into a rigid plan—you can adapt your approach during the year.

District response: The district may only disapprove your affidavit if required components are missing. They cannot reject it because they disagree with your curriculum choices or educational philosophy. If disapproved, you have the right to a hearing.

Required Subjects

Pennsylvania mandates instruction in specific subjects across elementary and secondary levels. The breadth of requirements reflects the state's comprehensive approach to homeschool oversight.

Elementary level (grades 1-6): English (reading, writing, spelling, grammar), mathematics, science, geography, history of the United States and Pennsylvania, civics, safety and fire prevention, health and physiology, physical education, music, and art.

Secondary level (grades 7-12): English (language, literature, speech, composition), science, geography, social studies (civics, world history, US history, Pennsylvania history), mathematics (general math through algebra and geometry), art, music, physical education, health, and safety. At the secondary level, you'll also cover "such other subjects as the board of school directors may prescribe."

Practical implementation: You have complete freedom in how you teach these subjects. Using a history-based literature curriculum that incorporates writing? That covers English and social studies. Nature study with journaling? Science and English. The requirement is coverage, not a specific approach or textbook.

Elementary Required Subjects (Grades 1-6)

• English — Reading, writing, spelling, and grammar
• Mathematics — Arithmetic and foundational math concepts
• Science — General science appropriate to grade level
• Social Studies — Geography, US and PA history, civics
• Health and Physiology — Human body, health practices
• Physical Education — Physical activity and fitness
• Music and Art — Creative arts exposure
• Safety and Fire Prevention — Basic safety education

Portfolio Requirements

The portfolio is Pennsylvania's primary tool for documenting your homeschool program. It contains evidence of instruction, progress, and achievement throughout the year.

What to include: Your portfolio must contain a log of reading materials by title and author, samples of student work, and records of progress. Include a log showing attendance dates (or hours) and any standardized test results for required testing years.

Work samples: Select representative samples from each subject—you don't need every worksheet or assignment. Quality over quantity. Choose pieces that demonstrate learning and progress, including rough drafts and final versions when possible.

Reading log: Maintain a running list of books and reading materials. Include the title, author, and optionally a brief note about the content or your child's response.

Attendance documentation: Track either 180 days or the hourly equivalent (900 hours elementary, 990 hours secondary). A simple calendar or log noting dates and approximate hours works. Many families track subjects covered each day as well.

Organization tip: Keep portfolio materials throughout the year rather than assembling everything in June. A three-ring binder with subject dividers makes this manageable.

Portfolio Contents Checklist

Testing Requirements

Pennsylvania requires standardized testing in grades 3, 5, and 8. Additionally, every year your portfolio must be reviewed by a certified evaluator who writes a certification statement.

Which tests: You can choose from nationally normed standardized achievement tests—popular options include the Iowa Tests, Stanford Achievement Test, CAT, and PSSA. Many families use group testing sessions organized by homeschool co-ops or associations for convenience and cost savings.

When to test: Tests must be administered during the school year and results included in your portfolio before the end-of-year evaluation.

Score requirements: Pennsylvania doesn't mandate minimum scores. The test results provide one data point for your evaluator's review, but don't determine whether you can continue homeschooling.

What about other years? In non-testing years (not grades 3, 5, or 8), you still need the annual evaluator certification, but standardized testing isn't required. Many families continue testing annually for their own tracking.

The Evaluator Review

Every Pennsylvania homeschool year ends with an evaluator review. This is the state's primary accountability mechanism and often a supportive experience for families.

Who can evaluate: Your evaluator must be a Pennsylvania-certified teacher, hold a teaching certificate from a regionally accredited institution, or be a licensed clinical or school psychologist. They cannot be a family member or a person who has taught your child for compensation during that year.

What happens during the review: The evaluator examines your portfolio, may interview you and your child, and assesses whether your program demonstrates "appropriate education." This isn't a pass/fail test—it's a professional assessment that the required subjects are being taught and your child is making progress.

The certification statement: After review, the evaluator writes a certification indicating that an appropriate education is occurring. This document is submitted to your school district along with the portfolio or in place of a portfolio inspection.

Finding evaluators: Pennsylvania homeschool groups maintain evaluator lists. Many evaluators conduct reviews at their home or a neutral location. Fees typically range from $50-150.

High School, Graduation & Transcripts

Pennsylvania homeschool parents award their own diplomas. The state doesn't issue homeschool diplomas or maintain specific graduation requirements—you determine what constitutes completion of high school.

Creating transcripts: You'll need transcripts for college applications. Include course titles, credits, grades, and GPA. Be consistent in your grading methodology. Many families use a 4.0 scale with standard credit hour calculations (typically 120-180 hours = 1 credit).

Course descriptions: Prepare brief descriptions for each course, especially for subjects outside traditional textbook curricula. Colleges want to understand what was covered and at what depth.

College admissions: Pennsylvania colleges are experienced with homeschool applicants. Most require standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), transcripts, and sometimes course descriptions or a portfolio. Penn State, Pitt, Temple, and community colleges all have established homeschool admission processes.

Dual enrollment: Pennsylvania homeschoolers can take community college courses while in high school. Credits transfer to state schools. This provides formal transcripts that complement your homeschool documentation.

Sports and Extracurricular Access

Pennsylvania homeschoolers have access to public school extracurricular activities under certain conditions—though policies vary by district.

PIAA athletics: The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) allows member schools to permit homeschool students to participate in sports. This is a permissive policy, not a mandate—individual districts decide whether to allow participation. Some districts welcome homeschoolers; others don't.

How to participate: Contact your local school district's athletic director to inquire about their policy. If allowed, you'll typically need to meet the same eligibility requirements as enrolled students (age, physical exam, academic standing).

Extracurricular activities beyond sports: Pennsylvania law doesn't mandate access to band, drama, clubs, or other activities. Access depends entirely on your school district's policy. Building a positive relationship with your local school can help.

Alternative options: Many families find that homeschool co-ops, community programs, and club sports provide excellent extracurricular opportunities without depending on public school access.

Special Situations

Starting mid-year: You can begin homeschooling at any time during the school year. File your affidavit within 30 days of starting. If withdrawing from public school, submit a withdrawal letter to the school and your affidavit to the district simultaneously.

Special needs students: Pennsylvania allows homeschooling for students with IEPs, but you forfeit IEP services when you leave public school. Some services may be available through private providers or limited district programs. The portfolio and evaluator requirements remain the same.

Moving to Pennsylvania: New residents file an affidavit within 30 days of establishing residency. Bring records from your previous state to demonstrate grade placement and educational progress.

District interference: If your district creates obstacles or exceeds their legal authority, document everything and contact HSLDA or a Pennsylvania homeschool legal organization. Districts must follow the law—they cannot add requirements beyond what's statutorily required.

Returning to public school: If your child enrolls in public school, they may face placement testing. Your portfolio and evaluator certifications demonstrate the education provided and support appropriate grade placement.

The Bottom Line

Pennsylvania's homeschool requirements are substantial but manageable. The system has clear rules: file your affidavit, teach required subjects, maintain your portfolio, test in grades 3/5/8, and work with an evaluator annually. Thousands of families navigate this successfully each year.

The first year involves the steepest learning curve. By year two, most families have developed efficient systems for documentation and find the process routine. Many come to appreciate the portfolio as a meaningful record of their child's education.

Your first steps: verify you meet the qualifications, prepare your affidavit and objectives, identify an evaluator, and set up your record-keeping system. Pennsylvania's homeschool community is active and supportive—connect with local groups for evaluator recommendations and practical advice.