PENNSYLVANIA HOMESCHOOL LAW

Compulsory School Age: 8 - 17

Pennsylvania state law offers three legal homeschooling options: 1) establish and operate a homeschool, 2) use of a private tutor, and 3) operate a homeschool as a satellite of a church-operated day school.

1. The first option is to establish and operate a homeschool. Parents wishing to school their child under this option must file a notarized affidavit with the local school superintendent before starting the homeschool program and annually thereafter by August 1. Homeschool students are required to receive 180 days of instruction (or 900 hours for elementary grades and 990 hours for secondary grades). Students are to be instructed in required subjects as follows:

   • Elementary grades: English, spelling, reading, writing, math, U.S. history, Pennsylvania history, civics, health and physiology, physical education, music, art, geography, science, safety, and fire prevention

   • Secondary grades: English language, literature, speech and composition, science, geography, civics, world history, U.S. history, Pennsylvania history, algebra, geometry, art, music, physical education, health, safety, and fire prevention

   In order to meet minimum teaching qualifications, parents must hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. A portfolio containing materials used, student work, results from standardized tests (required in grades 3, 5, and 8), and a written evaluation must be maintained and completed by June 30 each homeschool year.

2. The second option is to use a private tutor. In order to be in compliance with Pennsylvania statute, the tutor must be one who teaches the child of a single family, provides all or most of the instruction, and receives payment for his/her service. The tutor must also be certified as a teacher. Parents must file a copy of the tutor's teacher certification and criminal history record with the local school superintendent. Homeschool students under this option are required to receive 180 days of instruction (or 900 hours for elementary grades and 990 hours for secondary grades). Students are to be instructed in required subjects as follows:

   • Elementary grades: English, spelling, reading, writing, math, science, geography, U.S. history, Pennsylvania history, civics, safety and fire prevention, health and physiology, physical education, music, and art

   • Secondary grades: English language, literature, speech and composition, science, biology, chemistry, geography, social studies, civics, economics, world history, U.S. history, Pennsylvania history, foreign language, general math and statistics, algebra and geometry, art, music, physical education, health, safety, and fire prevention

   There are no requirements regarding recordkeeping or testing under the private tutor option.

3. The third and final option is to establish and operate a homeschool as a satellite of a church-operated day school. In order to establish a homeschool under this option, the principal of the day school must file a notarized affidavit with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Homeschool students under this option are required to receive 180 days of instruction (or 900 hours for elementary grades and 990 hours for secondary grades). Students are to be instructed in required subjects as follows:

   • Elementary grades: English, spelling, reading, writing, math, science, geography, U.S. history, Pennsylvania history, civics, safety and fire prevention, health and physiology, physical education, music, and art

   • Secondary grades: English language, literature, speech and composition, science, biology, chemistry, geography, social studies, civics, economics, world history, U.S. history, Pennsylvania history, foreign language, general math and statistics, algebra and geometry, art, music, physical education, health, safety, and fire prevention

   There are no requirements regarding parent/teacher qualifications, recordkeeping, or testing for this homeschool option.

Find a homeschool group in Pennsylvania.

View these websites for more information about Pennsylvania homeschool laws:

• Home School Legal Defense Association

• National Home Education Network

• Pennsylvania Education Code for Homeschooling

• Pennsylvania Department of Education

Please note: This is a brief summary of Pennsylvania homeschool law and is presented for informative purposes only and not as legal advice.