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🚀 How to Start Homeschooling in Georgia

The first steps for a Georgia family starting to homeschool: what to file, how to leave a public school, and where to find co-ops, classes and help — drawn from our Georgia guide and articles.

Before you buy

Buy through the Odyssey Marketplace. Georgia Promise does not reimburse families for purchases made outside the Marketplace, except for eligible transportation.
Transportation reimbursement covers paid services such as ride-share or public transit, not gas or mileage, and is capped at $500 a year.
Check the Eligible Expense List before planning a purchase. Curriculum, books and classes must relate to core subjects, and electronics have item price caps and limits on how many a family can buy.
A tutor must hold a Georgia Professional Standards Commission certificate to be paid with program funds.
Funds can't be paid to family members or to businesses they own, including parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and first cousins.
No more than 50% of a year's award rolls over, whatever is left in the account. Plan your spending with that in mind.
Amounts, windows and rules can change every year. Confirm anything important at MyGeorgiaPromise.org.

Read the full section in our Georgia guide

Homeschooling in Georgia: the basics

File a Declaration of Intent with the Georgia Department of Education within 30 days of starting a home study program, and by September 1 every year after that. It lists each child's name and age, the program's address, the local school system, and the 12-month school year. File online, by fax, by mail or by email, and keep a copy. (O.C.G.A. 20-2-690(c)(1)–(2); GaDOE)
When a child leaves a Georgia public school, the district must have proof of home study enrollment within 45 days. The Declaration of Intent satisfies this; otherwise the district must refer the matter to the Division of Family and Children Services. (GaDOE)
The teaching parent needs at least a high school diploma or a state-approved high school equivalency (GED/HSE) diploma, and may teach only their own children. Parents may hire a tutor with at least the same credential. (O.C.G.A. 20-2-690(c)(3))
Teach a basic academic program that includes at least reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies and science. (O.C.G.A. 20-2-690(c)(4))
Provide instruction equal to 180 school days in each 12 months, with each day at least 4½ school hours, unless the child is physically unable. Days already spent in a public or private school that year count toward the 180. (O.C.G.A. 20-2-690(c)(5); GaDOE)
Write an annual progress assessment report covering each required subject, and keep it for three years. It is not filed with the state. (O.C.G.A. 20-2-690(c)(8))
Give a nationally standardized test at least every three years, starting at the end of 3rd grade. Keep the results; you don't submit them. GaDOE notes that Georgia Milestones tests are not nationally standardized tests. (O.C.G.A. 20-2-690(c)(7); GaDOE)
The parent controls the student's enrollment records, grades and transcripts. The Declaration of Intent serves as proof of enrollment for driver's permits and licenses, work permits and college admission. (O.C.G.A. 20-2-690(c)(6); GaDOE)
Home study students in grades 6–12 may take part in extracurricular and interscholastic activities in their resident public school system under the Dexter Mosely Act. (O.C.G.A. 20-2-319.6; GaDOE)
Georgia Promise home study students must also test every year, which is more often than home study law requires. (Georgia Promise Scholarship Program Regulations 17.4)

Read the full section in our Georgia guide

Official sources

Summarized from our Georgia guide (as of October 2026) and articles. Rules change — confirm on the official pages before you act.

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