Homeschool Laws in Pennsylvania
Under Pa. Stat. § 13-1327.1(b), a parent or guardian who chooses to educate a child at home in Pennsylvania must file a notarized affidavit with the local superintendent of schools on an annual basis. This affidavit must be submitted each year the family intends to homeschool and must include specific information about the home education program. The requirement applies to compulsory school-age children, and the filing obligation recurs yearly rather than only at the outset of homeschooling.
Under Pa. Stat. § 13-1327.1(c) and related provisions, the supervising parent must hold a high school diploma or its equivalent, or must be otherwise qualified. Required subjects vary by grade level. At the elementary level, instruction must cover English — including spelling, reading, and writing — arithmetic, science, geography, history of the United States and Pennsylvania, civics, and safety education, which includes regular and continuing instruction in relevant safety topics. Under Pa. Stat. § 13-1327.1(e)(1), students must undergo annual assessment, and parents may choose from several permitted assessment options to satisfy this requirement.
Pennsylvania's homeschool statutes, including Pa. Stat. § 13-1327.1(d) and § 13-1327.1(e)(2), are subject to amendment by the General Assembly; most statutory changes take effect July 1 of the applicable year. Families should verify current requirements directly with the Pennsylvania Department of Education or the relevant local school district. This summary is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Requirement details
| Required subjects | What subjects must be covered depend on the student’s grade level. At the elementary level: English, to include spelling, reading, and writing; arithmetic, science, geography, history of the United States and Pennsylvania; civics; safety education, including regular and continues instruction in the |
|---|---|
| Parent qualifications | required_see_detail |
Statutory source
Pa. Stat. § 1-111(e) · Pa. Stat. § 13-1327.1(b) · Pa. Stat. § 13-1327.1(c) · Pa. Stat. § 13-1327.1(d) · Pa. Stat. § 13-1327.1(e)(1) · Pa. Stat. § 13-1327.1(e)(1)(i-ii) · Pa. Stat. § 13-1327.1(e)(2)
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Not legal advice. This page summarizes Pennsylvania law in plain English, verified as of June 2026 against the cited statutes. Legislatures amend homeschool law (most changes take effect July 1) — confirm current requirements with the state department of education or a licensed attorney before acting. How we verify this.