Georgia homeschool requirements and record-keeping, 2026-27
In Georgia you submit a Declaration of Intent to the Georgia Department of Education within 30 days of beginning a home study program, and then by September 1 each year. The Department collects only this form. The program provides 180 instructional days in reading, English language arts, math, science and social studies, and the teaching parent needs a high school diploma or GED. Your child takes a nationally standardized test at least every three years beginning at the end of third grade, and you keep the results. Not checked yet: the 4.5-hours-a-day rule, the annual progress report, and compulsory ages appear in the statute, but the official statute and form were not readable in this check.
We have not finished checking every number for Georgia against the official sources. The summary above says what is still open, and the links below are where to confirm it yourself.
What you file and when
- Declaration of Intent to home school (online, fax, mail or email)
To: Georgia Department of Education. When: Within 30 days of beginning a home study program, then by September 1 each year
Dates to keep in mind
- Annual Declaration of Intent due to GaDOE: September 1
What you keep
- Nationally standardized test results (every three years from the end of grade 3)
- Annual written progress report in each required subject (unconfirmed; kept by the parent)
- Attendance record (unconfirmed; kept by the parent, not submitted since 2013)
How long to keep it. Secondary sources say progress reports are kept three years; not confirmed.
Testing. Nationally standardized testing at least every three years beginning at the end of third grade, given in consultation with a person trained in norm-referenced testing. Georgia Milestones are not nationally standardized tests.
Hours, days and subjects
- 180 days a year
- 4.5 hours a day
- Compulsory attendance ages: 6 to 16
4.5 hours per day appears on the GaDOE form per secondary summaries; not confirmed on an official page in this check.
Not confirmed on an official source in this check.
Subjects. Reading; English language arts; Mathematics; Science; Social studies.
Work out your hours for Georgia with the free calculator.
Things people miss
- The Declaration goes to the state Department of Education, not your local district.
- If you withdraw from a public school, the district needs proof of home school enrollment within 45 days; the Declaration covers that.
- Days spent in a public or private school earlier in the same year count toward the 180.
- Keep a copy of the submitted Declaration; it serves as proof of enrollment for permits and admissions.
Official sources
- GaDOE Georgia Home School Supporting Information (Oct. 10, 2024) (GaDOE guidance on O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690)
Verified checked on 2026-10-18 - GaDOE Home School page (GaDOE guidance)
Verified checked on 2026-10-18 - O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690 Educational entities (statute text not fetched; Georgia publishes it via LexisNexis) (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690)
Not checked yet checked on 2026-10-18
How Schoolkeeper helps
A twenty-second daily log, and then an export in the shape Georgia asks for:
- An attendance record showing the days you taught, counted against 180.
- Minutes by subject, totalled for the year.
- A portfolio of work samples, photos and what they read, in date order.
Questions parents ask
What do I have to file to homeschool in Georgia?
Declaration of Intent to home school (online, fax, mail or email), to Georgia Department of Education. When: Within 30 days of beginning a home study program, then by September 1 each year.
What records do I keep for homeschooling in Georgia?
Nationally standardized test results (every three years from the end of grade 3); Annual written progress report in each required subject (unconfirmed; kept by the parent); Attendance record (unconfirmed; kept by the parent, not submitted since 2013).
How many hours or days does Georgia ask for?
Georgia asks for 180 days a year; 4.5 hours a day.
Does Georgia require testing or an evaluation?
Nationally standardized testing at least every three years beginning at the end of third grade, given in consultation with a person trained in norm-referenced testing. Georgia Milestones are not nationally standardized tests.
This is a plain-English summary with its sources, not legal advice. Tell us if this is wrong.