Homeschooling in Pennsylvania

Legal Framework

Pennsylvania's homeschool law is found in Title 24, Section 13-1327.1 of the Pennsylvania Statutes, commonly referred to as "Act 169" (passed in 1988). Pennsylvania is considered a moderately to heavily regulated state, requiring annual notification, specific subjects, a portfolio of student work, standardized testing at certain grade levels, and an annual evaluation by a qualified evaluator. The state also offers alternative paths through private tutoring and enrolling in a religious school's satellite program.

Homeschooling Options

Pennsylvania offers several legal paths for home-based education:

• Option 1: Home Education Program (Act 169) -- The most common choice. You file an affidavit, teach the required subjects, maintain a portfolio, and have an annual evaluation. This is what most people mean when they say "homeschooling in PA."
• Option 2: Private Tutoring -- You hire a Pennsylvania-certified teacher to tutor your child. The tutor must provide 180 days of instruction in the required subjects and submit regular reports.
• Option 3: Religious School Satellite Program -- Enroll your child in a religious day school that offers home-based instruction. The school supervises your homeschool and files paperwork on your behalf.
• Option 4: Cyber Charter School -- Enroll in a tuition-free public cyber charter school like PA Cyber, PA Virtual, or Commonwealth Charter Academy. Your child is technically a public school student learning from home, with PA-certified teachers and a provided curriculum.

Step-by-Step Process (Home Education Program)

1. File an affidavit with the superintendent. Before you begin homeschooling each year (by August 1 is recommended), submit a notarized affidavit to the superintendent of your school district. The affidavit must include the names and ages of children being homeschooled, the address where education will take place, the name of the parent/supervisor (who must have a high school diploma or equivalent), and an outline of the proposed education objectives for each subject by grade.
2. Obtain immunization records. Pennsylvania requires proof of immunization for homeschooled students (or a medical or religious exemption).
3. Teach the required subjects. Provide 180 days of instruction (or equivalent hours: 900 for elementary, 990 for secondary) in the mandated subjects.
4. Maintain a portfolio. Keep a log of instruction (made contemporaneously), designating reading materials used, along with work samples including writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials.
5. Administer standardized tests in grades 3, 5, and 8.
6. Have an annual evaluation. A qualified evaluator reviews the portfolio and interviews your child, then provides written certification that "an appropriate education is occurring."
7. Submit the evaluator's certification to the superintendent by June 30.

Required Subjects

Elementary level: English (spelling, reading, writing), arithmetic, science, geography, history of the United States and Pennsylvania, civics, safety education (including fire prevention), health and physiology, physical education, music, and art.

Secondary level (grades 7-12): English (language, literature, speech, composition), science, geography, social studies (civics, world history, U.S. and PA history), mathematics (general math, algebra, geometry), art, music, physical education, health, and safety education. Optional subjects include economics, biology, chemistry, foreign languages, and trigonometry.

High school graduation: Four years of English, three years of math, three years of science, and three years of social studies.

Record-Keeping

Your portfolio is the centerpiece of Pennsylvania's homeschool compliance. The log must be created as you go (contemporaneous), not reconstructed at the end of the year. Include the titles of reading materials, work samples for each subject, and any standardized test results. Think of your portfolio as telling the story of your child's year in education -- it does not need to be fancy, but it needs to be thorough.

State Funding and Financial Resources

Pennsylvania does not currently offer a direct ESA or voucher program for homeschoolers, but there are several financial resources available.

Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC)

Pennsylvania's EITC and OSTC programs allow businesses to receive tax credits for donating to scholarship organizations. Some of these scholarship organizations fund private school tuition for eligible students, but these programs are primarily designed for private school enrollment, not traditional homeschooling.

Proposed Child Learning Investment Tax Credit

Senate Bill 1280 proposes a $8,000 per child refundable tax credit (the Child Learning Investment Tax Credit) for families choosing alternatives to public school, including homeschooling. As of February 2026, this bill has not been enacted.

Cyber Charter Schools (Free)

If cost is a major concern, Pennsylvania's cyber charter schools are tuition-free public schools. Schools like PA Cyber, PA Virtual, Insight PA, and Commonwealth Charter Academy provide all curriculum materials, a computer, and internet access at no cost to families. The trade-off is that your child is a public school student and must follow the school's requirements.

Federal 529 Plan Expansion (2026)

Starting in 2026, you can withdraw up to $20,000 per student per year tax-free from a 529 account for qualified K-12 expenses, now including homeschool curriculum, test fees, tutoring, and educational therapies. Check Pennsylvania's conformity with expanded federal definitions before claiming state tax benefits.

Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit

Beginning January 1, 2027, the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit allows contributions to approved Scholarship Granting Organizations for a federal tax credit of up to $1,700. SGOs will distribute scholarships to K-12 students, including homeschoolers. As of February 2026, Pennsylvania's participation status has not been announced.