Overview
Georgia allows parents and legal guardians to educate their children at home through a legally recognized home study program.
Compulsory School Attendance Age
Georgia compulsory attendance generally applies to children between their 6th and 16th birthdays. A child who has completed high school diploma requirements is exempt.
Homeschool Notification and Enrollment
Georgia requires the parent or guardian operating a home study program to submit a Declaration of Intent to the Georgia Department of Education within 30 days after establishing the program and by September 1 every year thereafter.
Instructional Days and Hours
Georgia requires 180 school days during each 12-month school year and at least 4.5 hours of instruction during each school day, subject to a physical-inability exception.
Required Subjects
Georgia requires a basic academic educational program that includes reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science.
Attendance and Records
Families should maintain records showing the required instructional time has been provided, along with academic records such as courses, grades, credits, report cards, transcripts, test results, and annual progress reports.
Annual Progress Assessment
Georgia requires the homeschool instructor to prepare a written annual progress assessment for each student covering reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. The parent must retain the report for at least 3 years.
Standardized Testing
Georgia requires an appropriate nationally standardized test beginning at the end of grade 3 and at least once every 3 years thereafter, generally grades 3, 6, 9, and 12. Parents retain the results.
Parent Teacher Qualifications
A parent or guardian teaching their own children must possess at least a high school diploma or state-approved high school equivalency diploma. Georgia does not require a teaching certificate or college degree.
Curriculum Freedom
Georgia does not require a particular state-approved curriculum. Parents may choose their own materials as long as the required basic academic subjects are included.
Graduation
Georgia does not impose public-school graduation requirements upon an independently operated home study program in the same manner as public schools. Parents may establish graduation requirements and issue educational records.
Alabama Church School Services for Georgia Families
Georgia families may choose Alabama Church School for curriculum, enrollment documentation, attendance resources, academic records, annual progress documentation, report cards, transcripts, diplomas, graduation documentation, student records, and educational support. Enrollment does not replace Georgia's Declaration of Intent, instructional time, standardized testing, annual progress assessment, or other legal requirements.
Georgia Homeschool Law References
- O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690
- O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690.1
- O.C.G.A. § 20-2-324.8
- Georgia Department of Education — Home School Declaration of Intent
- Georgia Department of Education — Home Study Program Information
This summary is informational and families should review current state law and official state guidance because requirements and procedures may change.
How Alabama Church School supports Georgia families
ACS does not replace your state's homeschool requirements — it gives families complete curriculum, academic records, transcripts, diplomas, and documentation while you continue satisfying Georgia law.
Nearby state homeschool guides
Families moving to or from Georgia often review these states next.