Homeschooling in Georgia: Requirements, Costs, and How to Start
Georgia requires notification, periodic testing for homeschool families.
Last reviewed by the HomeschoolOS Compliance Team
Always verify with Georgia's Department of Education before filing or submitting compliance documents — laws change, and edge cases can apply.
Key Takeaways
- Compulsory school attendance in Georgia applies to children ages 6 through 16.
- Georgia requires homeschool families to file a notice of intent or similar notification with the state or local district.
- Georgia requires standardized testing or an alternative assessment.
- Georgia requires at least 180 instructional days per year, with at least 4.5 hours per day.
- Georgia mandates instruction in 5 core subject areas.
- Georgia offers the Georgia Promise Scholarship (~$6,500 per student per year) for eligible homeschool families.
Georgia's homeschool law is straightforward and predictable. You file a Declaration of Intent with the Georgia Department of Education within 30 days of starting, then by September 1 each subsequent year. Instruction must cover at least 180 days, averaging 4.5 hours per day, in reading, language arts, math, science, and social studies. The parent (or another adult assigned to teach) must hold at least a high school diploma or GED. Standardized testing is required at least once every three years beginning in third grade, but you select the test, the location, and the year — and results are kept by you, not submitted. Annual progress assessments must also be kept on file for at least three years. Compulsory attendance covers ages 6–16. Georgia's other notable feature is the Promise Scholarship (~$6,500 per student per year), launched in 2025, which homeschool families can use for curriculum, tutoring, and approved educational expenses. Once you understand the cadence — file once a year, hit your days, test occasionally, keep records — Georgia largely runs on autopilot.
At a Glance
Compulsory Ages
6–16
Regulation Level
Moderate regulation
Notification
Required
Testing
Required
Portfolio
Varies — see official source
Is homeschooling legal in Georgia?
Yes — homeschooling is legal in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, including Georgia. Georgia applies moderate oversight — an annual notice of intent is required, plus periodic testing or assessment — but the rules are clearly defined and most families settle into a predictable annual rhythm.
Georgia Homeschool Requirements: Detailed Breakdown
Instruction Days
180 days per year
Annual Hours
Varies — see official source
Daily Hours
4.5 hours per day minimum
Notification Required
Yes — must file with your district or state
Testing Required
Yes — standardized test or assessment
Portfolio Required
Varies — see official source
Required Subjects
Details
File declaration of intent within 30 days of starting, then by Sept 1 annually. 180 days with 4.5 hrs/day. Testing every 3 years after grade 3. Annual progress reports kept 3 years.
How much does it cost to homeschool in Georgia?
Most Georgia homeschool families spend roughly $500 to $2,500 per child per year. The exact figure depends on whether you build your own curriculum from low-cost or free resources (libraries, Khan Academy, open educational materials), use a packaged curriculum, or layer in tutoring, co-ops, and enrichment classes. Standardized testing fees, when required, typically run $30–$50 per test.
Georgia Promise Scholarship
Georgia's Promise Scholarship can be used for tuition, tutoring, curriculum, and approved educational expenses for eligible students.
Approximate award: ~$6,500 per student per year. Verify current eligibility
Can homeschool students play public school sports in Georgia?
Public school sports access for homeschool students varies by district in Georgia, and the rules are typically set by the state high school athletic association rather than the legislature. Many districts allow participation under state equal-access laws or athletic association rules; others have restrictions tied to part-time enrollment or residency.
Contact your local school district's athletic director directly to confirm what your child can participate in this year, and consult HSLDA's Georgia page for the current statewide picture.
Homeschooling high school in Georgia: transcripts, diplomas, and college
In Georgia, homeschool families are responsible for issuing their own high school diploma and maintaining their own transcript. Colleges across the country routinely admit homeschool graduates — many state universities have published homeschool admission policies, and selective private colleges increasingly recruit homeschoolers actively.
Most Georgia homeschool teens strengthen their college applications by taking the SAT or ACT, completing dual-enrollment courses at a local community college, building a portfolio of meaningful projects, and securing strong recommendations from adult mentors outside the family. HomeschoolOS includes a transcript and GPA generator that pulls from the lessons, grades, and credit-hour data you log throughout the year.
How do I withdraw my child from public school to homeschool in Georgia?
Generate your Georgiawithdrawal letter →
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The standard procedure
- Submit a written withdrawal letter to your child's current school principal. Keep a copy and obtain confirmation of receipt.
- File your homeschool notice of intent with Georgia's appropriate state or district office, following the state's required cadence and content. This establishes your homeschool legally and ends the public school's compulsory-attendance jurisdiction.
- Begin tracking attendance, lessons, and any required portfolio work from day one — in Georgia, your records protect you against any later truancy or state-requirement question.
Georgia homeschool community and resources
The most useful Georgia homeschool resources for new families are typically a statewide convention or association, a local co-op for weekly community, and HSLDA for legal questions.
- Georgia Home Education Association (GHEA) — Statewide convention and advocacy network for Georgia families. Visit site
- HSLDA — Georgia — Legal-defense membership and current statutory analysis. Visit page
- Local co-ops and Facebook groups— Search “[your city] Georgiahomeschool” on Facebook to find weekly co-ops, park days, and field-trip groups that match your child's age and your educational philosophy.
How Homeschool OS tracks Georgia's requirements
Attendance Tracker
Every school day is logged automatically as lessons are completed.
Daily Hours Log
Lesson durations accumulate into daily and annual hour totals.
Subject Mapping
Every curriculum and lesson is tagged with its subject for coverage tracking.
Assessment Reminders
Deadline alerts ensure you never miss a required assessment date.
Filing Reminders
Get notified before notification deadlines so paperwork is never late.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start homeschooling in Georgia?
To start homeschooling in Georgia, you must file a notice of intent with your local school district or state education agency. Compulsory education applies to children ages 6 through 16.
Do I need to notify anyone to homeschool in Georgia?
Yes. Georgia requires homeschool families to file a notice of intent or similar notification with their local school district or state education agency.
Is testing required for homeschoolers in Georgia?
Yes. Georgia requires standardized testing or assessments for homeschooled students.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Georgia?
Georgia requires instruction in: History, Language Arts, Math, Reading, Science.
What ages are covered by compulsory education in Georgia?
Children ages 6 through 16 are subject to compulsory education laws in Georgia.
How much does it cost to homeschool in Georgia?
Most homeschool families in Georgia spend roughly $500 to $2,500 per child per year on curriculum, supplies, testing fees, and enrichment. The exact figure depends on whether you build your own program from low-cost resources or use a packaged curriculum. Georgia also offers the Georgia Promise Scholarship — approximately ~$6,500 per student per year for eligible families to put toward curriculum, tutoring, and approved educational expenses.
Can homeschool students play public school sports in Georgia?
Public school sports access for homeschool students varies by district in Georgia. Many districts allow participation under state equal-access laws or athletic association rules; others have restrictions. Contact your local district directly, and consult HSLDA's Georgia page for the current statewide picture.
Can homeschool students earn a diploma and go to college in Georgia?
Yes. Homeschool families in Georgia are responsible for issuing their own high school diploma and transcript. Colleges across the country routinely admit homeschool graduates; many Georgia families strengthen their applications with SAT or ACT scores, dual-enrollment courses at a local community college, and a portfolio of meaningful projects.
How do I withdraw my child from public school to homeschool in Georgia?
In Georgia, withdrawing from public school typically involves submitting a written withdrawal letter to the school principal and filing your homeschool notice of intent with the appropriate state or district office. The notification protects you from truancy concerns and establishes your homeschool legally for the school year.
Official Sources
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This information is for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. Always verify requirements with your state's department of education before relying on this data.