Pennsylvania Homeschool Deadlines & Calendar

Initial filing deadline

Prior to commencement (may file at any time)

Annual renewal deadline

By August 1 each year; evaluator's certification by June 30

Send to

superintendent of the school district of residence

24 P.S. §13-1327.1(b)

Frequency

annual

At grades

3, 5, 8

Submit to

superintendent of the school district

Annual portfolio review by a certified evaluator (PA-licensed teacher, teacher at PA-licensed private school, psychologist, or other qualified person per statute). Portfolio must contain: log of reading materials by title, samples of writing/math/other work, evidence of instruction in required subjects. Standardized testing required at grades 3, 5, and 8 in reading/language arts and mathematics. Acceptable tests include PSSA or nationally normed standardized tests (Iowa, CAT, Stanford, Terra Nova). Test results must be included in the portfolio submitted to the superintendent.

See our full assessment guide for Pennsylvania for accepted test types and scoring details.

24 P.S. §13-1327.1(e)

Progress reports

annual reports to superintendent of the school district

Annual renewal

Required by August 1

Notarized affidavit filed annually by August 1. Educational objectives filed with affidavit. Portfolio and evaluator's certification submitted by June 30 each year. Standardized test results included at grades 3, 5, and 8. If superintendent finds non-compliance, written notice of deficiencies is sent; parent must respond within the timeline specified in the notice.

24 P.S. §13-1327.1(b), (e)

These deadlines are for Home Education Program. Pennsylvania offers 3 pathways, and each may have different deadlines:

• •
  Home Education Program(this page): You file a notarized affidavit with your superintendent by August 1 each year, teach required subjects for 900-990 hours, and submit a portfolio with an evaluator's certification by June 30. Standardized testing required at grades 3, 5, and 8. The most common pathway — structured but manageable.
• •
  Private Tutoring: A Pennsylvania-certified teacher tutors your child. The tutor files credentials with the superintendent — no approval is needed. No portfolio or standardized testing required — the certified teacher provides accountability. This pathway requires hiring a credentialed tutor, making it less practical for most families.
• •
  Religious Day School Extension / Satellite Program: You enroll as part of a religious day school extension program. Requirements may differ from the standard Home Education Program and vary by district interpretation. This pathway is less clearly defined in statute and is primarily used by families with religious motivations.

Our wizard calculates the right deadlines for your pathway. Compare all pathways for Pennsylvania