Home Education

  • Taken from Homeschooling in Pennsylvania, by Chester County Homeschoolers, Exton, PA.

    In Pennsylvania, Act 169 of 1988 makes homeschooling an approved option for all parents with a high school diploma. Compulsory age for attendance is 8, at which point you need to report to your school district and file a homeschooling affidavit. If your child has been in school (other than kindergarten) and you wish to begin homeschooling, you must file an affidavit first, even if he/she is not yet 8.

    As you teach your child, you must document this by keeping a log of 180 days, or if you prefer to record hours, then 900 hours in grades 1-5, or 990 hours for grades 6-12. You also must maintain a portfolio, or binder, which includes a list of titles or reading materials used and samples of the student's work in each subject area to demonstrate his/her academic performance.

    All students in grades 3,5, and 8 must take a standardized achievement test, of which there are 8 recognized by the Department of Education. You may request testing at the school when they do their testing. Include test scores in your portfolio.

    Near the end of the school year, your child must be evaluated by an evaluator of your choosing, who must be a PA certified teacher, a non-public school teacher with 2 years experience, or a licensed clinical psychologist. The evaluator will interview the child briefly and review the log and portfolio to ascertain whether the child has made sustained progress and is receiving an appropriate education.

IMPORTANT DATES

  • A year-end evaluation must then be submitted for review to the school district superintendent or designee no later than June 30. 

    August 1st  is the deadline for submitting the home school affidavit, detailed list of goals and objectives, and immunization/health form to the District Office for the upcoming school year.

NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION

  • Beginning April 2023, registration for new students to the homeschool program is now online. Please upload your notarized affidavit, goals and objectives, and any needed health forms at the time of registration.

WITHDRAWING FROM THE HOME SCHOOL PROGRAM

QUESTIONS & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES