Everything you need to know about homeschooling in Georgia - Declaration of Intent, attendance, required subjects, testing, and key deadlines. Plain English, no legalese.
Georgia officially calls homeschooling a "Home Study Program." The state has a single compliance path - there are no alternative options like umbrella schools or virtual charters to choose from. Georgia is considered a moderately regulated state: you need to file annual paperwork with the state, teach specific subjects, and test every three years, but you have full curriculum freedom and never submit attendance records or test results.
Compulsory school age in Georgia is 6 through 16 (the child must be 6 by September 1). Your school year is a parent-defined 12-month period - you choose the start and end dates.
The teaching parent must hold a high school diploma or GED.
The Declaration of Intent is your official registration with the Georgia Department of Education. It is the only document you are required to submit to the state.
You can file online (preferred), by fax, or by mail with the Georgia Department of Education. The online portal is the fastest method and provides instant confirmation.
After filing, you will receive a 36-character signature code. Save this code - it is your official proof of registration. You will need it for driver's license applications and any time you need to verify your homeschool status. Screenshot it, print it, and store it with your important documents.
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Georgia requires instruction in 5 core subjects. You have complete curriculum freedom - no specific textbooks, programs, or teaching methods are required, and the state does not need to approve your curriculum.
Beyond these five subjects, you are free to teach anything else - art, music, foreign languages, physical education, technology, and more. Many Georgia families supplement with co-ops, community classes, and extracurricular activities.
Georgia has specific minimums for both days and hours:
You must keep attendance records, but you do not submit them to the state. These records are for your own files only. A simple calendar or log noting each school day is sufficient.
The 4.5 hours include all educational activities - not just desk work. Field trips, educational outings, reading time, hands-on projects, and physical education all count toward your daily hours.
Georgia requires a nationally normed standardized test every three years. The test must measure at least these three areas:
Tests are due at the end of the following grade levels:
Parents can administer the test themselves after consulting the test publisher. Popular options include the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS), Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-10), and the CAT (California Achievement Test).
Test results are not submitted to the state - you keep them in your personal records. There is no minimum score requirement. The purpose is to assess progress, not to pass or fail.
Georgia requires you to maintain certain records, but the only document you ever submit to the state is your Declaration of Intent. Everything else stays in your personal files.
Even though you do not submit these records anywhere, you are legally required to maintain them. Keep them organized in case they are ever requested. A well-maintained binder protects you and demonstrates compliance.
| When | What | Details |
|---|---|---|
| September 1 | Annual DOI due | Continuing homeschool families must refile each year |
| Within 30 days | New homeschooler DOI | File within 30 days of starting your home study program |
| End of grades 3, 6, 9, 12 | Standardized testing | Nationally normed test covering reading, language arts, math |
| End of school year | Annual progress report | Written summary of subjects covered and student progress |
Georgia launched the Promise Scholarship, an Education Savings Account (ESA) program offering up to $6,500 per year for eligible families.
Applications are available at mygeorgiapromise.org. Check eligibility before your school year begins to take advantage of this funding.
Georgia does not have specific high school graduation requirements for homeschoolers. Parents determine when their student has completed a course of study sufficient for graduation.
You can issue your own homeschool diploma and transcript. Many Georgia homeschool families create transcripts that list courses, grades, and credits - which colleges and employers accept.
For college admissions, most Georgia colleges and universities accept homeschool students with:
Kindergarten is not compulsory in Georgia. You do not need to file a Declaration of Intent for a kindergarten-age child unless the child previously attended public school kindergarten for 20 or more days. If they attended fewer than 20 days, or never enrolled, no paperwork is needed until the child reaches compulsory age (6 by September 1).
When your homeschooled teen applies for a driver's license or learner's permit, the DOI with your 36-character signature code serves as proof of school enrollment. The Georgia Department of Driver Services accepts this in lieu of a school enrollment letter. Make sure your current-year DOI is on file and that you have the signature code readily available.
If you are pulling your child out of public school to homeschool, file your DOI within 30 days of withdrawal. Notify the public school in writing that you are withdrawing the student. Once the DOI is filed and confirmed, the student is officially in a home study program.
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Track Georgia ComplianceThis guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Homeschool laws can change. Always verify current requirements with the Georgia Department of Education or consult a qualified attorney. Last updated February 2026.